Getting aerial footage can transform your project from ordinary to extraordinary. But here’s the thing: great drone filming doesn’t happen by chance. It requires careful planning, clear communication, and a well-thought-out shot list that captures exactly what you envision.
A shot list serves as your roadmap. It helps you organize your ideas, communicate your vision to the pilot, and ensures you don’t miss any crucial footage. When you prepare properly, you maximize your time, budget, and creative potential.
Know What You Want to Achieve
Ask yourself what story you’re trying to tell. Are you showcasing a property’s expansive grounds? Documenting a live event? Capturing dramatic landscape footage? Your objectives shape everything that follows.
Think about your final product. Consider the mood you want to create, the pacing of your edit, and the specific moments that matter most. When you have clarity on these elements, building your shot list becomes much easier.
Write down your core objectives in simple terms to give yourself and your pilot a shared understanding from the start.
Picture Your Shots before You Fly
Pre-visualization is a powerful tool. Close your eyes and imagine the footage you want. See the camera movements, the angles, and the composition. This mental rehearsing helps you identify what shots will work and what won’t.
Sketch rough diagrams if that helps. You don’t need artistic skills. Simple drawings showing camera positions and movement directions can clarify your vision. Mark important landmarks, obstacles, or features you want to highlight.
List Your Must-Have Shots
Now comes the practical part. Create a detailed list of every shot you need with drone filming. Include specifics like:
- Camera angle (bird’s eye view, low altitude, eye level)
- Movement type (static hover, slow pan, tracking shot, orbit)
- Subject focus (building facade, crowd gathering, natural feature)
- Duration (how long each shot should run)
Organize your shots logically. Group them by location or sequence to minimize flight time and battery changes. Number each shot so you can reference them easily during communication with your pilot.
Don’t forget establishing shots, close-ups, and transition footage. These supporting shots often make the difference between good and great final edits. Include backup options for shots that might not work due to weather or other factors.
Communicate Clearly with Your Pilot
Your pilot needs to understand your vision, not just read a list. Schedule a pre-flight meeting to walk through your shot list together. Explain the purpose behind each shot and what emotion or information it should convey.
Use reference videos or images when possible. Show examples of the camera movements, speeds, and framing you have in mind. This visual language bridges any gaps in technical terminology.
Be open to your pilot’s suggestions. They have experience and might spot opportunities or challenges you haven’t considered.
Stay Flexible During the Shoot
Even the best plans need adjustments. Lighting changes, unexpected obstacles appear, or you discover better angles once you see the location from above. Stay ready to adapt.
Watch the live feed if possible. This lets you make real-time decisions about framing and movement. You might spot opportunities for additional shots that weren’t on your original list but would enhance your project.
Keep your priorities clear. If time runs short, make sure you capture your essential shots first. You can always schedule additional flights for supplementary footage, but missing your core shots means starting over.
