Drones are now indispensable in professional audiovisual work — from theatrical features to corporate films. But not every production needs the same drone. This is the field guide: which type when, and why it matters in the final cut.
Light multirotor drones
Light multirotor drones like the DJI Inspire 3 and the DJI Mavic 3 Cine are the all-rounders. Compact, fast to deploy, with 8K full-frame recording. Ideal for TV registrations, fast inserts, real estate, events and corporate drone video — and agile enough for urban environments like Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Cinematic FPV drones
FPV drones have changed aerial cinematography. The pilot flies wearing video goggles; the drone dives through narrow openings and chases subjects with a freedom no other technique delivers. Essential for kinetic commercials, indoor tours and action sequences. Our airframes — Tetra, KD7, Rhino 5", Siccario 8" — carry everything from GoPro to RED Komodo.
Heavy-lift drones
Heavy-lift drones like the Freefly Alta X and the Cinestar carry full ARRI Alexa Mini LF, RED Helium or Komodo cameras with anamorphic lenses. The result: aerial footage that cuts seamlessly into ground material. For features, high-end TV drama and theatrical commercials they're the standard.
LED-lighting drones
LED lighting drones deliver powerful light where no ground rig can reach. Night shoots, dark indoor locations or nocturnal chase sequences: the drone is light source and camera platform at once — particularly powerful when paired with a gimbal drone shooting the same scene.
Which productions are possible?
- Theatrical features: heavy-lift with ARRI/RED for establishing shots and chase.
- TV drama and series: Inspire 3 for inserts plus heavy-lift for cinema quality.
- Commercials: FPV for energy, Inspire 3 for product, heavy-lift for hero shots.
- Corporate drone video: Inspire 3 for architecture, FPV for indoor tours.
- Documentary and nature: Inspire 3 for long takes, heavy-lift where weight is needed.
- Live events: light multirotor with direct broadcast output.
Why choosing the right drone matters
A good director doesn't choose "a drone" — they choose the right platform per shot. An FPV does what an Inspire 3 never can; a heavy-lift delivers quality a Mavic never reaches. Aerial coordination is the discipline of picking the right rig per shot — sometimes even paired with a helicopter for the wide establishing.
Conclusion
Light multirotor, FPV, heavy-lift and LED — each type has its own strength. At Skymotion we combine them into one production package. Meet the team or discuss your production directly.
Discuss your production.
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