1
A conversation
Every drone shoot starts with a call or video chat. We’ll ask about the idea, the audience, where the footage will be seen, and any dates or locations you already have in mind.
- Your goals and where the film will live
- Likely locations, dates and constraints
- A rough budget range, if you have one
2
The brief
We turn the conversation into a short written brief, so everyone is picturing the same film: the look, the shots that matter most, and exactly what you’ll receive.
- Reference frames and films
- Must-have shots and nice-to-haves
- Formats, frame rates, aspect ratios and edit requirements
3
Location scouting and planning
We study each location on maps and, where it helps, in person: sun position, take-off spots, neighbors, traffic, wind exposure. Then we build the plan for the day.
- Location and access review
- A light and timing plan for every shot
- Coordination with your producer, crew or site team
4
Airspace, permits and safety
Much of Los Angeles sits inside controlled airspace, and plenty of beaches and parks have their own rules. We check all of it, request FAA authorization where it’s needed, and flag any film permits or permissions your production will need.
- Airspace and temporary flight restriction checks
- FAA authorization requests where required
- Film permits and landowner permissions
- Weather windows, backup plans and a site safety brief
5
The drone shoot
Priority shots come first, so the essentials are safely in the can. After that there’s usually time to chase a better angle or a better cloud.
- Safety briefing with everyone on location
- Priority shots captured first
- A live view so you can watch every take
6
Delivery
Footage is named, organized and delivered in the agreed formats, with notes for your editor. If an edit or selects are part of the job, they follow on the agreed schedule.
- Secure digital delivery
- Clear file naming and shot notes
- Selects or edits, when included
Before we talk
None of this is required to get in touch. But the more you can share, the more useful the first conversation will be.
- A few lines about the project and where it will be seen
- Reference images or films you love
- Locations, or the kind of place you’re picturing
- Dates or a shooting window, and how fixed they are
- Deliverables: lengths, formats, aspect ratios
- Who else is involved: agency, production company, site contacts
- A budget range, if you have one
Honest expectations
Aerial work comes with variables nobody fully controls. We’d rather talk about them now than on the day.
Some shots won’t be possible
Airspace, permits, safety or the location itself can rule a shot out. When that happens we’ll tell you early, and bring an alternative.
The weather gets a vote
Marine layer, Santa Ana winds and the occasional rainstorm can move a shoot. We plan backup windows and agree in advance how delays are handled.
Authorizations take time
Some FAA authorizations come through in minutes, others take weeks, and none are guaranteed. The earlier we know your location, the better.
Every quote is its own
Crew, equipment, travel and deliverables depend on the project. The process is the same; the scope isn’t.
Planning questions
Every answer is in the FAQ.
As early as you can. Some flights can be planned in a few days. Others need FAA authorization or film permits that take weeks. If your dates are fixed, mention them in your first message and we’ll tell you straight away whether the timeline works.
What you’re making, where, when and what you need delivered. References, a shot list and a budget range all help, but don’t worry if some of it is undecided. That’s what the consultation is for.
Much of the Los Angeles basin sits inside controlled airspace around airports like LAX, Hollywood Burbank, Van Nuys and Santa Monica, and in Ventura County around Camarillo, Oxnard and Point Mugu. Flying there needs FAA authorization. Some locations can be approved within minutes, others take longer, and a few are off limits. Send the address early and we’ll check before anything else.
Often, yes. In the City of Los Angeles, unincorporated Los Angeles County and many other cities, film permits are handled by FilmLA. In Ventura County, the county handles unincorporated areas and most cities issue their own. Shooting somewhere else? We’ll find out what the local rules are. Either way, we’ll tell you exactly what the aerial side requires so it can be included in your permit.
It depends who manages the land. National park land, including the NPS-managed parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, generally doesn’t allow drones to take off or land. California State Parks set rules park by park, and many city beaches have their own. We check every location and find a legal take-off spot, or a better location nearby.
Short-term no-fly zones the FAA puts in place for things like wildfires, stadium events and VIP visits. They’re common in Southern California and can appear with little notice. We check for them before every shoot and again on the day.
Let’s talk about your project.
Tell us what you’re making and where. The consultation is free, there’s no hard sell, and you’ll leave with a clearer plan either way.