It's Drone Season!

(From my Insights column in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. LINK)

https://vimeo.com/1180586342

For many Wilmingtonians, the month of April means the Azalea Festival, outdoor concerts, and sunny afternoons at the beach. It also marks the beginning of drone season. 

Now that spring has finally rolled around, the trees have filled back out and flowers are in bloom. Grass is green again and Wilmington’s landscapes look lush, opening up visuals for drone videography that show our region at its finest.  

There’s a wide range of need for drone video, and now’s the time to begin making plans for your project if you haven’t already. People say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I’d say drone work is worth ten thousand – it brings the drama, beautiful views, and an all-encompassing panorama of what you want to show. Drone video tells a story instead of a simple exterior ground shot. 

I’ve been flying drones professionally for almost ten years and am an FAA-certified pilot with a Part 107 UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) license that I recertify every two years. In the past decade, I’ve shot all kinds of drone video for clients – from independent film work and progress of Whole Foods’ repaved parking lot to music videos and beachfront properties for real estate agents. I’ve flown several times over the Riverwalk downtown, Wrightsville Beach, Airlie Gardens and the *Battleship North Carolina. I’ve even used drone work to help construction companies with roof inspections of apartment buildings.  

Last year, I had the pleasure of shooting a lot of drone video for A&E’s true-crime documentary Murder on Trial on the infamous Meagan Jackson murder case. I shot drone video all over Conway and Myrtle Beach – the courthouse, the location where the body was found, a retracing of the suspects’ footsteps – to bring gravitas to a setting of the scene. 

Nothing tells a story quite like drone video, and it can be done in a relatively short amount of time and for a reasonable price. It’s true that anyone can buy a drone at Costco, but that doesn’t make them a licensed pilot or professional videographer. Not only is knowledge of the equipment crucial, but also that of our specific area: In Wilmington, there are many guidelines and restrictions involving the airport and military air space. Finding the right person to shoot, and even edit, drone video is paramount – and now is the time to start making drone plans while the season is right. 

A major reason I’m passionate about working in the film industry is that I love bringing people’s visions to life. If you have questions about drone video or an interest in making a project become a reality, reach out to me at chrisvarnercamera.com. 

*Note: Drone photography and filming at state property locations like the Battleship require formal authorization and permitting.