Aerial MOB: "Get out there and fly!"
Emmy awarded pioneers Aerial MOB and Vortex Aerial are leading experts in the field of drone cinematography. Read the whole interview.
BY FILMMAKAZ REDACTION
With over 20 years combined experience in the film industry Aerial MOB and Vortex Aerial are proven specialists in the drone cinematography space, based in Los Angeles. The close relationship of the two companies began in 2013 when both where selected to work with the Motion Picture Association of America and the FAA to develop the initial regulations and safety standards for cinematography drones in order to be used on closed film sets legally in the United States. For their contribution in drone cinematography technology, Aerial MOB was awarded with the Technology and Engineering Emmy Award in 2017.
In 2019, Aerial MOB and Vortex Aerial merged to form one company, the Cinema Partner Holdings LLC which offers its clients and the industry a clear choice of top notch, veteran drone cinematography operations, in addition to now offering a larger combined, highly experienced crew roster and more substantial drone and aerial gear assets while keeping each individual company and brand intact.
To name just a few feature films, TV shows and commercial shoots they have been involved in: Venom, Black Panther, Fast&Furious, The Mule, Annabelle, Jumanji, John Wick, NCIS, Lucifer, MasterChef, TopGear, The Voice, Apple, Dodge, VW, Timberland, USPS.
In the following interview executive producer and CEO Tony Carmean provides us some insights on what it means to be one of the prime aerial cinematography specialty company in the industry.
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FAA Certified Aerial Cinematography Specialists based in Los Angeles [CA] and Atlanta [GA], operating worldwide
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Supporting film, television and commercial productions with leading-edge technology and skilled operators
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Highly experienced, professional crews in top production markets across the United States
YOU ARE AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY SPECIALISTS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Being an aerial cinematography speciality company
means that we use the latest in drone technology combined
with cinema class camera and lens packages to deliver cinematic level aerial imagery. Our aerial DP’s are
experienced in delivering breath-taking aerial cinematography per the visions of the directors and DP’s they
work with.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED AND WHAT'S YOUR MAIN WORKING AREA?
We are based in Los Angeles, with offices in both L.A. and Atlanta, and we work internationally.
WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY'S STORY? WHEN DID YOU START IT AND HOW ARE AERIAL MOB AND VORTEX
AERIAL RELATED?
Aerial MOB was formed in 2012 while Vortex Aerial goes back to 2007. The two companies were originally
separate companies and both were a part of the original group selected by the Motion Picture Association
that established the FAA guidelines, safety protocols, and operational procedures that were approved by
the MPA and the FAA in 2013 for use of drones on closed film sets. For this history making work with the
MPA and FAA, both companies were awarded the first ever Emmy in 2017 for drone related work the film
industry.
And, although the two companies were technically competing companies, they formed a close working
relationship over the years, and on August 1, 2019, the two companies merged into one company forming
what is widely regarded as the top drone cinematography company in the film industry.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE PART OF YOUR CREW? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT?
Our crews consist of anywhere from 2 to 4 crew members for shoots we are hired on. The number of crew
for a given shoot depends on which drone/camera platform we are using, the technical nature of the shots,
and overall complexity of the shoot. Crew members typically consist of a drone pilot, aerial camera operator,
camera assistant, and a visual observer, and on shoots where we can reduce the crew size, the drone pilot
and aerial camera operator are the minimal crew needed to complete the job.
The characteristics of any of our crew members is summed up in couple of words...
experienced and specialized.
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WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF A PERSON THAT IS PART OF AN AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY SPECIALTY TEAM IN YOUR OPINION?
The characteristics of any of our crew members is summed up in a couple words… experienced and specialized. To be a drone pilot and/or an aerial camera operator requires years of experience and also requires a very specialized set of unique skills. Both crew roles need to know the aspects of aerial cinematography combined with drone flying skills and the ability to communicate effectively with top directors and DP’s on their vision for their shots along with being able to handle themselves professionally on a film production set… a very rare set of skills that takes years to develop.
ARE YOU MORE REQUESTED ON TV, FEATURE OR COMMERCIAL SHOOTS?
We do a substantial amount of work on all three categories of film making... feature films, television shows, and commercial production and work in each category on a regular basis. We are typically listed in the camera department section on call sheets and/or in specialty and additional equipment.
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We have to pinch ourselves sometimes
given the type of notable projects and directors we have worked with!
WHAT ARE THE TOOLS YOU ARE USING TO COVER ALL THE DIFFERENT KIND OF CAMERA MOVEMENTS YOU ARE OFFERING? DO YOU HAVE FAVORITES?
We have 8 different drone/camera platforms that all deliver different set of capabilities for our clients. We offer the larger Ultra Heavy Lifter and Heavy Lifter drone packages that fly the larger camera packages ranging from film cameras to any of the RED’s and also cameras like Alexa Mini, Alexa Mini LF, and the Sony Venice camera. In addition, we have smaller, more nimble drones like the DJI Inspire 2 drone package that has its own unique set of capabilities and is also a preferred drone on productions that have tighter budgets. Lastly, we offer a couple different options when it comes to FPV drone platforms. FPV drones deliver high speed, high energy aerial imagery in small packages.
We have the ability to fly cameras like the RED Komodo on our larger FPV drones at speeds reaching 100 mph+ while we also have smaller FPV drones at speeds reaching 100 mph+ while we also have smaller FPV drones that carry smaller cameras like GoPros at similar speeds.
Aerial MOB's showreel
WHEN YOU WORK WITH DP'S AND DIRECTORS, DO THEY USUALLY HAVE AN EXACT IDEA OF HOW THEY WANT THEIR SHOT TO BE REALIZED OR NOT?
When working with directors and DP’s, we like to collaborate with them. Many times our clients will give us the overall idea and vision for a shot, and our drone pilots and aerial camera operators will enhance their vision of the shots given their knowledge, experience, and expertise on how to best use our drone platforms to achieve the shots.
Also, we have conference calls with the directors and/or DP’s to make sure we talk thru the vision for the shots before arriving on set, and in those conversations, and on tech scouts leading up to the shoot days, we collaborate with the client to insure that we are able to deliver aerial shots that many times will go beyond what the they had originally envisioned.
FPV HEAVY LIFTER
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flies higher end, cinema class cameras like the RED Komodos
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approximately 14” in diameter and weights about 7 lbs
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max flight speeds approaching 100 mph
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ability to achieve high speed, high energy cinema quality aerial footage
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flies smaller, more economical 4K cameras including the newest Go Pro 8
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approximately 8” in diameter and weights about 4 lbs
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max flights speeds of 100 mph+
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ability to get in tight spaces to create amazing fast paced aerial imagery
[ code name, "Juliet" ]
CUSTOM ULTRA HEAVY LIFTER DRONE
Two years in development and testing has yielded the first drone aircraft capable of flying nearly ALL of your favorite digital AND FILM camera systems for extended times of 12 - 20 minutes with speed up to 45MPH, and do it all while being fully legal, insured, and compliment under FAA 107 rules and regulations.
FPV LIGHT LIFTER
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4 Rotor Drone
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large, efficient props to provide max power
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custom Mōvi Pro Camera Stabilizer package
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carries heavier Camera and Lens Packages
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8 Rotor Heavy Lifter UAV
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Mōvi Pro and Mōvi M15 Stabilizer
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DSLR’s/RED’s/Alexa Mini’s
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A Wide Array of Lenses/Optics
FREEFLY ALTA X
FREEFLY ALTA 8
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Built in 6K RAW, ProRes, and RAW ProRes Camera
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Package
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Super 35 Sensor
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2-3 Person Operation
DJI INSPIRE 2
YOU ARE WORKING WITH MASSIVE GEAR AND HEAVY PAYLOADS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ALTITUDES. ARE THERE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS? HOW DO YOU COPE WITH?
All of our crew members work under stressful conditions on many shoots given the difficulty of the types of shots we are asked to deliver, but at the same time, just speaking for our crews, they thrive on the adrenaline and stress that comes with delivering awesome aerial/drone imagery. That is also where the experience comes into play again… it is very important that any drone company/crew that is hired on any film production comes with years of experience and knowledge of how to deliver on the clients’ needs safety and professionally and under extreme stress in many instances.
WHAT ARE EXTRAORDINARY SHOOTS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT YOU CAN SHARE AN ANECDOTE ABOUT?
There have been many shoots over the years that are notable, but in my opinion, some of the most challenging and extraordinary shoots we have completed has to be on Hobbs and Shaw (Fast and Furious franchise feature film spinoff) in Kauai back in 2019, Matrix 4 in San Francisco in early 2020, and our work on both Venom movies with Sony Pictures.
In addition, we are very fortunate to have worked with top directors like Ron Howard (Hillbilly Elegy), David Leitch (Hobbs and Shaw), and Clint Eastwood (The Mule and soon to be released movie titled Cry Macho). We have to pinch ourselves sometimes given the type of notable projects and directors we have worked with! :).
Get out there and fly
and push the envelope is our best advise.
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WHAT ARE YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS?
We have many film and television projects on the horizon but due to confidential agreements that we are required to agree to, we cannot list most of them.
IF A KID READ THE ARTICLE, AND WANTED TO BECOME PART OF AN AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY SPECIALTY TEAM LIKE YOURS IN THE FUTURE, WHAT ADVISE DO YOU HAVE?
For any up and coming aspiring drone pilots or aerial camera operators, we would advise to start early to develop the skill sets needed. Like many things, it takes time and a lot of practice (also know as failing and learning from you failures) to develop the needed. Like many things, it takes time and a lot of practice (also know as failing and learning from you failures) to develop the needed skill set and the only way to develop the skills is by doing (learn by fire)… get out there and fly and push the envelope is our best advice.
Also, for any of the younger generation that aspires to do drone work, reach out to companies like ours to inquire about interning. Interning for a company like ours will help those future drone pilots gain the knowledge in a real world setting.
