Whilst perusing YouTube last night watching some drone videos I stumbled across a video about storytelling with drones (I’ll link at the end)
This video talked about different drone moves and sequences that could be used to tell a story and evoke emotions and this got me wondering, just how much thought (if any) people put in to the storytelling aspect of filming? Or for you is it mainly about the flying and seeing the area from a different angle.
For me at the moment being a returning flyer after a break of 10 years I’m mostly just focusing on relearning the basics of operating the drone and getting some footage, however when I return and edit the footage I always find myself thinking ‘I wish I’d of got this shot’ or ‘I could of made a really nice video if I’d of done that’
This has lead to me thinking more about what I actually want to achieve / show with the video and then researching different types of shots to help achieve my goal, I’ve then been making a list of the shots on my phone and ticking them off whilst flying.
I’d love to know if anyone else thinks about the storytelling aspect of filming and if you have examples of videos you’ve shot and the story behind them.
Personally for me its more about the flying around and seeing what I can discover and seeing things from different angles. Its like im rediscovering entirely new things about places I thought I knew well.
Making a physical list and trying to plan the shots before I get to my chosen location has certainly helped me improve……I used to go with an idea in my head and still leave without getting the shots I’d planned as I’d forgotten my mental list of shots.
The most important thing is that we get out of drones what we individually want from them, whatever makes us happy
Already I’ve spotted things from the local area that I’d of never of seen or known about without the Mini 3, I was actually quite surprised how lovely the area that I live in looks from the air.
I took some video on Thursday and ended up forgetting to stop the video. Sow then I got my drone in place and then hit play which stopped the recording did my manoeuvre and this hit stop, which started the recording.
This went on for a full battery before I realised and I had to go back by which time the wind had kicked up and I missed one of the shots I wanted. Only realised when I got home. Doh
Jevan Dovey does some good ‘tutorial’ videos on story telling. Including doing behind the scenes on some of his latest stuff on a roll and what was used for b roll etc.
Whilst drone videos on their own are fun at first I think after a while they become pretty boring.
If you have a story to actually tell. Combine the drone footage with other stuff. If you’re happy to be on camera too bonus. Otherwise perhaps add some voice over to keep people engaged.
Anything over 3 minutes and people will just switch off. I challenge anyone to look at their YouTube stats and find a video that’s had longer engagement that’s just drone footage.
I tend to try and keep it to 60 seconds which is shit for YouTube now as anything that length or below becomes a short (I now throw my end card automatically to the actual edit to add an extra 20 seconds) although I upload less and less to YouTube these days and have more fun with shorter videos on instagram and TikTok. No monetisation there though.
I can do 30+ mins of footage and use barely any of it because each move can be condensed into 5-10 seconds, anything longer and the viewer becomes bored.
I’ve found as time goes on I much prefer photography with the drone than videography. As videos take a long time to edit for little engagement yet my photos get far more interest.
I’ll always do the odd orbit and fly over as a just in case I need some video at a later date, but I rarely do bugger all else these days.
But ultimately do what you enjoy. Not what others say. If I hadn’t of pissed about with so much video I’d have never have learned as many skills as I do now with Final Cut and premiere pro. As long as you’re investing in yourself too. That’s what counts.
Oh No
I’ve actually done this myself last week and it was one of those ‘everything was perfect moments’
I’d been shooting images and spotted a perfect moment to capture a video of but with the ensuing flapping around whilst trying to change video settings etc with a cast on my hand I didn’t realise I’d already hit record. Then once I’d got into position I hit record again which stopped it.
By the time I’d realised the moment was gone…….you live and learn eh?
Coming from a photography background ive got to be honest and admit that I’m enjoying the photography side more than the videography at the moment. I love tweaking and editing my images on days that it’s too wet or windy to fly and seeing the end result.
Im really good with Lightroom and PS but I’m forcing myself to take more video at the moment so I can learn Premier Pro a little better.
I’ve actually been watching a lot of Jevan’s channel recently and have found them really interesting and informative.
