Flying High
Bauhaus Media Embraces Latest Drone Technology
When the subject of drones comes up, one might think of unmanned flying machines for warfare or for spying. Or someone else might think of troublesome flying toys that any kid can afford. But between the cheap toy and the expensive war machine is a very useful tool that has become essential in many industries, including videography.
These days we take for granted those wonderful aerial shots that were very hard to get not many years ago. In the 1990s, to get aerials of a college campus, for example, Bauhaus Media had to hire a helicopter for about $16,000 (minimum), get safety and FAA approvals, then risk our lives hanging out the open door of the helicopter, secured only by a harness. Most clients couldn’t budget for all that.
To cut the costs, one clever chap came up with a camera attached to a tethered helium balloon. He could send that camera up as high as his rope was long. The rig had stability issues, but given a calm day and lots of film, he could come up with a few good shots way cheaper than hiring a helicopter or airplane.
But technology has provided a far better solution. Today, professional quality drones still cost considerably more than a kid’s toy, but they have become so affordable and accessible, that they are now essential tools for law enforcement, agriculture, real estate, engineering, surveying, wildlife management, oil and gas, construction, mining, delivery, emergency services, environmental conservation, news media, security, weather forecasting, maritime navigation, insurance inspections, sports, and many other industries.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Hasselblad L1 D-20c Camera
Drones are especially useful in videography, since the video capability when associated with the flying device is what makes it most useful for all applications. At Bauhaus Media, being the technology nerds that we are, we were early adopters of drones and have kept up with the technology. Besides aerial photography, the drone has added other possibilities, such as low angles, aerial camera movements and shots in otherwise inaccessible areas. The flying devices also can replace dollies, tracks, trucks, tripods, cranes, jibs, robots and other camera movement devices. The only limitation is imagination, and battery life.
Bauhaus Media has found that drones provide aesthetic and useful vantages for shots that enhance video storytelling in our work with a rural electrical cooperative, a construction company, churches, livestock managers, parks, a funeral company, real estate agencies and others. And they are also great fun to play with.
