Glide Aerials are true experts of aerial cinematography while covering camera movements like drone, cable cam and also RC car systems. We asked them for some insights about their work and experiences.
BY FILMMAKAZ REDACTION
Glide Aerials is one of the original leading industry drone companies founded 2012 in LA. Specialized in drone cinematography, as well as cable cam and RC car systems, Glide Aerials are experts of stabilized camera movements. Their team of Emmy nominated cinematographers, drone operators, cable cam operators and camera technicians has worked with the most prominent film and television studios, operated in over 30 global locations and have been involved in numerous projects for ABC, Fox, Netflix, HBO, Apple Music, Hulu, Porsche, Tesla, Red Bull, Yves Saint Laurent and many more...
The guys from Glide Aerials have answered our questions about what it means to be an aerial cinematography company and they also shared some insights about how their work in the industry looks like.
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Aerial cinematography specialists based in Los Angeles [CA]
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Covering all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements to commercially operate unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or „drone“ at any time of day or night
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Airspace authorization for all Southern Locations: LAX, Burbank, Santa Monica
YOU ARE SPECIALIZED ON AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Glide Aerials offers many options for aerial cinematography. We originally started as a company providing drones for major production companies whether for big budget jobs requiring Heavy Lifts down to our smallest jobs using the DJI Mavic Pro 2’s. The drones we use the most are our DJI Inspire 2’s and we’ve recently added FPV Drones into our fleet for more aggressive and stylized filming.
As the company evolved, we later started offering cable cam systems as an alternative option for difficult airspaces and for productions requiring audio not to be effected. We also wanted to keep that glide movement in all fronts so we incorporated RC Gimbal Cars as ground units to the fleet for another stylized type of filming.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED AND WHAT'S YOUR MAIN WORKING AREA?
Glide Aerials is based out of Los Angeles but all of our crew is made up of freelancers. Majority of the time our crews are either filming in Los Angeles or on the road traveling worldwide for different productions.
We came up with Glide because those were the movements we were always trying to recreate.
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TREVOR BRYSON
Aerial Cinematographer/ Founder
JIMMY DEMPSEY
Aerial Cinematographer/ Owner
WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY'S STORY?
WHEN DID YOU START IT AND WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE COMPANY NAME?
Glide Aerials started in 2012 with us bringing a couple of DJI Phantom 2’s onto a traveling job we had in Cambodia at the Temples of Angkor Wat. Once we saw how much of a valuable resource this was going to be for the production industry, we knew this was the path we needed to pursue. By 2015 Glide Aerials became an official business and has grown to becoming one of the major aerial companies of Los Angeles.
We came up with Glide because those were the movements we were always trying to recreate. We wanted all of our content to be as smooth as humanely possible with having epic foregrounds and providing what the cinematography production companies wanted to incorporate into their scenes.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE PART OF YOUR CREW? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT?
Glide Aerials is owned by two guys, Trevor Bryson is the creator of Glide Aerials in 2012 and later Jimmy Dempsey saw the potential as well and later invested into the company. The company has always been made up of the most talented freelancers in the production industry whether FAA Part 107 certified drone pilots, cinematographers, operators, techs, or visual observers.
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The company has always been made up of the most talented freelancers in the production industry.
Glide Aerial's showreel
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF A PERSON THAT IS PART OF AN AERIAL CINEMATOGRAPHY TEAM?
The most important characteristics of a person in the aerial cinematography in our opinion would probably be someone who is efficient and has a positive attitude. Our industry is very fun but it is also very demanding. Each day they need to be able to make lots of quick decisions in unfamiliar environment and being able to do it all in one attempt with safety always being the upmost priority. Not only that, they need to be able to handle the weight of the responsibilities which can be a lot for some individuals, and with a fun and good attitude. Most sets are 12 hour days, no one wants to be around someone they don't enjoy working with.
ARE YOU MORE REQUESTED ON TV, FEATURE OR COMMERCIAL SHOOTS?
Mosts of our requests are for television whether reality, documentaries or series but we definitely stay busy in the feature and commercial world along with events as well.
WHAT ARE THE TOOLS YOU ARE USING TO COVER ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CAMERA MOVEMENTS YOU ARE OFFERING? DO YOU HAVE FAVORITES?
Our bread and butter will probably be the DJI Inspire 2, that’s our work horse and most teams will rock that on set for it’s dependability, efficiency, and it’s beautiful picture so we probably would call that our favorite. We offer all drones whether heavy lift drones, mini drones, and FPV drones. We also offer cable cam systems, gimbals, and RC gimbal cars.
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As long as you plan and inspect your equipment like you would fly a plane you should be able to execute safely and calmly.
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 DP’s and directors, most will have at least a general idea of what they’re trying to accomplish. Obviously you will come across some with not as much experience in the production field but as long as you know your craft, you can always leave set with a happy production.
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Heavy-Lifter supporting the MoVI M15
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Allowing to fly cameras like Alexa Mini, RED, Sony F55
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Ability to use gimbal in top mode position
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Glide Aerials offers a selection of custom built FPV drones from Cinewhoops to heavy-lifters
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6K S35 sensor when combined with X7 Zenmuse
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capturing in Cinema DNG RAW and Apple ProRes
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From 0 to 50 mph in five sec
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Creates the gliding sensation of a drone but from the ground
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Reach speeds up to 40 mph
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Perfect solution for low- and dollying shots moving slow or fast
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Designed and engineered for broadcast, live events and feature films
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Supports any gimbal
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Allows heavy camera packages
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Adjustable speeds at 30+ mph
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Quick turn-around for getting multiple shots
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Compatible with Movi Controller
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Ability to carry payloads up to 15 pounds
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Allows to operate in dual mode when paired with Movi Controller
FREEFLY ALTA 6
INSPIRE 1 PRO
FPV MULTI ROTORS
INSPIRE 2
FREEFLY TERO
DEFY DACTYLCAM PRO 24V
DJI RONIN
FREEFLY SYSTEMS MOVI PRO
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Glide Aerials most versitile cablecam
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Quicker setup times compared to other cablcam systems
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Lighter payloads
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Low noise operation
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Able to carry Ronin 2, MoVI pro and similar gimbals
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Versitle car rigging solution / gimbal isolator
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Quick setup in standart configuration
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Easy reconfiguration to side or underslung position
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For dual operator mode and drone operations with Movi Pro
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Precise Pan/Tilt joystick and high resolution focus, iris and zoom controls
RIG WHEELS CLOUD MOUNT
DEFY CADENCE
MOVI CONTROLLER
YOU ARE WORKING WITH MASSIVE GEAR AND HEAVY PAYLOADS AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ALTITUDES. ARE THERE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS? HOW DO YOU COPE WITH?
There are a lot of stressful situations in this field, but the biggest thing to make everything more bareable is planning. More than likely, before the job you are filling out the paperwork for the production company for filming permits. With that being said, you already have an idea what the location is, what the airspace is, what the weather is going to be, what equipment you are going to use, how big your crew is going to be, what obstructions you're going to face, you get the point. Before arriving to set, we have already accessed all spectrums of all potentials and once on set, we access from a line of sight perspective to solve any last minute insecurities.
As long as you plan and inspect your equipment like you would fly a plane, you should be able to execute safely and calmly.
HOW MANY SHOOTS HAVE YOU APPROXIMATELY SUPPORTED SO FAR?
We couldn’t even try to think of how many productions we’ve been a part of… It’s well into hundreds.
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Play video games and watch movies, that's how all of us started.
WHAT ARE EXTRAORDINARY SHOOTS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT YOU CAN SHARE AN ANECDOTE ABOUT?
Recently Glide had the opportunity to do a show called "Getaway Driver" with host Michelle Rodriguez on a real-life “Fast and Furious” driving competition show. It was the largest crew we’ve ever had and it was absolutely epic. We had an Inspire 2 Team in the air while we had 3 of the best FPV pilots ripping through the set to get the most immersive and intense car chasing shots we’ve ever witnessed. All was shot on an abandoned chemical plant in Georgia and the environment was definitely not easy to fly through.
Between the rain, cold temperatures, fire, pyro, area required, length of the races, the show had its challenges but the results were incredible.
WHAT ARE YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS?
Glide Aerials has lots of upcoming projects but with that we have signed lots of Non-Disclosure Agreements, all of our work can be found on our website or on our social pages.
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?
Play video games and watch movies, that’s how all off us started! Knowing how do everything from a controller is a lot. We’ve tried training professional airline pilots but without the skill of using as controller, it’s very difficult.
Understanding how to execute with confidence in your controller and what you’re doing will prepare you to be one of the bests!
what you’re doing will prepare you to be one of the bests!
