Aerial shots before the drone videography in Singapore were a stumbling block for many videographers. Old films and shows used helicopters, balloons, and elevated platforms and buildings to shoot aerial shots.
But despite the limited resources and technology, top production houses in Singapore still gave justice to these aerial shots. Now that drones have been widely used in many video productions, seeing bird’s eye view shots are not uncommon.
Drone videography still faces a few challenges no matter how widely available and mostly used they are. This article will discuss how a video production company in Singapore overcomes these obstacles.
Drone Videography Challenges In Singapore And How To Solve Them
Drones today are not exclusive to a TVC production house in Singapore. Perhaps, you have already seen many vloggers operate their drones for their YouTube content. Drones are also a must-have for travel vloggers. It seems that drone cameras have become an expensive remote-controlled toy for many, but operating a drone and being allowed to use one is quite complex.
Here are the most common drone videography challenges in Singapore:
CHALLENGE #1: Lack of skilled pilots
Similar to the plane, drone operators are also called pilots. Although drones are far less complicated to operate than actual planes, it still takes skill to fly drones smoothly. It is not like controlling a remote-controlled toy car. The operator should know how and when to fly low and high and avoid obstacles.
Operation is not only the skill every drone pilot should have. Since the drone is used for videography, the pilot should know at least the basics of capturing shots.
They should learn the timing of shots, the best framing for the footage, and avoid overexposed and underexposed shots.
The combination of these skills makes a great drone pilot.
How to solve
For your corporate videography in Singapore, always hire professional drone pilots. Some drone pilots in other countries issue licences to drone pilots before they can legally operate.
It is also advantageous to hire a drone pilot with a background in videography and cinematography.
Usually, professional drone videography companies in Singapore have these expert drone pilots.
CHALLENGE #2: Endurance
Like regular cameras and smartphones, drones used in corporate videography in Singapore run on batteries. The challenge is how long do these drone batteries last?
The drone’s flight time becomes a restriction for many videographers. What if the scene needs to be shot multiple times? Can drones handle such work?
A low-quality drone has a 10-minute flight time, while high-quality drones can last up to 20 minutes. On the other hand, professional drones have a 30-minute flight time.
Several factors affect the flight time of drones. First is the battery life. The more powerful the battery is, the longer your drone will fly.
The second is the weight. The motor is the culprit for the drone’s weight. The more motor you have, the heavier your drone will be. Subsequently, the more motor your drones have, the more power they need to consume.
The last are add-ons. Additional installation on the drone, such as cameras, lights, and recorder, make the drone heavier.
How to solve
Firstly, avoid low-quality drones. These drones do not last long.
Secondly, choose powerful batteries with long battery life.
Thirdly, avoid heavy drone models. Modern drones today have lighter built.
Fourthly, avoid installing unnecessary devices that add weight to your drone.
Lastly, always bring spare batteries and chargers so you can power up your drone during the idle time while doing drone videography in Singapore.
CHALLENGE #3: Legal limitations
Like any other country, Singapore issues legal limitations on drone flying. It is perfectly legal to fly a drone in the country as long as you abide by the rules.
Among the guidelines are no drones over people or crowds, no drones over vehicles, no nighttime drone flying, and no drone flying within five kilometres of an airport.
There are situations where drone pilots should acquire permits before flying a drone. For example, drone videography in Singapore needs permits for flights above 200 feet.
You can learn more about drone flying rules and regulations at the Civil Aviation Authority Of Singapore.
How to solve
Firstly, always consult with the local government about your flight’s location before flying your drone. Coordinating with them will save you from legal entanglement.
Secondly, make sure you meet all the legal requirements before flying your drone.
A TVC production house in Singapore always abides by the law when using drones.
CHALLENGE #4: Actual flight limitations
There are three primary actual flight limitations drone videographers face.
The first is the weather. It is hard to fly a drone in the midst of a storm or on windy days with strong gusts. Although drones built are water resistant, torrential rain can still damage the motor and insides of the drone. Gusts can easily whip the drone away.
The second is animals. Birds and wasps are only a few of many enemies of drones in the animal kingdom. Birds and wasps can attack and take down drones used by top production houses in Singapore if they deem them a threat or prey.
Lastly is dust. Drones use turbines or rotors to fly. The turbulent wind it creates around the drone could disturb dust, powders, and feathers that could obscure the view of the camera.
How to solve
Firstly, plan drone videography shooting in Singapore, according to weather reports. Avoid shooting in the rain or wind.
Secondly, avoid flying drones near bird and wasp nests. It could disturb the animals and lead to attacks.
Lastly, avoid shooting in a dusty area. Choose a normal camera or other means of shooting elevated scenes when a dusty location is inevitable.
Takeaway
Drone videography in Singapore has come a long way, but it still has some flaws to it. Good thing, it can be solved in many ways.
A day will come when these challenges will not hinder videographers from capturing those picturesque and compelling bird’s eye view shots.
Zeetrope
Do you need drone videography? Zeetrope is one of the top production houses in Singapore that has the skill and experience in it. Visit Zeetrope today.