Keith Stancil Keith Stancil

Drones Offer a Smart Solution for Dolly, Jib and Crane Shots

In the realm of visual storytelling, music videos stand as a dynamic medium for creative expression. In recent years, advancements in technology have revolutionized the way filmmakers approach their craft. Among these innovations, the use of drones has opened up a world of possibilities, particularly in achieving cinematic shots that were once reserved for big-budget productions. Nashville Drone Co provides beautiful cinematic videography without the elaborate setups required for a jib, dolly or crane. We film any moving camera shots including aerial shots, jib shots, crane shots and dolly shots at a much lower cost saving video directors and producers time and money.

Our drone work can be seen in Hello Sunshine Productions’ recent film Wynonna Judd: Between Hallelujah. Nashville Drone Co filmed the shots of Wynonna Judd’s farm and the aerial shots of the tour bus in transit. Some of our smooth low altitude drone video work can be seen throughout Universal Music Group’s Sarah Cothran “I’m Here” music video where we filmed the shots of Sarah running through the field along with the spinning shots above Sarah laying on the ground.

For the Emily Faith “Heaven is a Small Town” music video, featured above, the video director engaged us to film the aerial and all moving shots normally filmed with a dolly, jib or crane. Our drone was able to fly in tight spaces in the woods and creek at a very remote location. One of the key advantages of using drones for jib and dolly shots lies in their ability to navigate three-dimensional space with ease. Whether soaring high above a bustling cityscape or gliding seamlessly through dense foliage, drones offer a unique perspective that adds depth and dynamism to music videos. We filmed the orbit and passing shots in the creek which would otherwise be too expensive to include. Most of the moving shots throughout the video were filmed by Nashville Drone Co.

While drones offer unparalleled flexibility and freedom, achieving professional-quality jib, dolly and crane shots requires a thorough understanding of the technical aspects involved. Factors such as altitude, speed, and camera settings play a crucial role in capturing smooth and cinematic footage. Additionally, ensuring compliance with FAA regulation for commercial drone work is essential in safely incorporating drones into music video production. Nashville Drone Co is an FAA Part 107 licensed pilot with over 300 hours of logged flying experience.

Contact us HERE for a cost saving solution to capture those big budget dolly, crane and aerial shots for your music video or film.

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Keith Stancil Keith Stancil

Downtown Cincinnati Panoramic Photo

Downtown Cincinnati, OH

Nashville Drone Co recently captured this panoramic photo of Cincinnati, OH. The panoramic photo is available in our wall art collection of drone photography available for purchase and download. Visit our gallery HERE.

Downtown Cincinnati, nestled along the scenic banks of the Ohio River, captivates visitors with its vibrant energy and rich history. This bustling urban hub is a harmonious blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication, featuring stunning architecture, lively streetscapes, and a myriad of cultural and entertainment offerings. From the iconic Fountain Square, where locals and tourists converge, to the revitalized Over-the-Rhine district, brimming with eclectic shops and delectable dining options, downtown Cincinnati invites exploration at every turn. The city's cultural scene flourishes with renowned theaters, art galleries, and museums, including the illustrious Cincinnati Music Hall. With its welcoming atmosphere, diverse community, and an array of attractions, downtown Cincinnati beckons visitors to immerse themselves in its vibrant tapestry and create lasting memories.

Nashville Drone Co, Middle Tennessee’s top choice in drone photography and drone video, is available to hire for drone photography and drone video for real estate, events, construction, architecture planning and film. For more information contact us at info@nashvilledrone.co

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Keith Stancil Keith Stancil

Capturing Beautiful Sunset and Sunrise Drone Images of Tennessee Properties

Thompson Station, TN  Sunrise

Thompson Station, TN Sunrise

Capturing beautiful sunset and sunrise drone images of Tennessee properties is a treat for Nashville Drone Co as it offers opportunity to explore areas many don’t even know exist.

This week, Nashville Drone Co had the opportunity to film a marketing video for Liefke Estates/Iron Hoof Stables in Thompson Station, TN. Complete with cinematic epic views, the estate is nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Thompson Station, TN. Liefke Estates is home to a luxury Air BnB and Iron Hoof Stables which offers horseback trail riding and riding lessons.

Nashville Drone Co made two trips to Liefke Estates to capture drone images during the sunset twilight hour and the morning sunrise hour. While the sunset was certainly breathtaking to view, our drone camera preferred the lighting created by the sunrise over the property. The layer of fog on the hills was magnificent as the sun began to rise and the lens flare from the morning sun offered a nice touch. Once the sun peaked over the hills, we found ourselves in pretty intense summer sun. Thankfully, we found shady areas that allowed us to capture a few more drone images.

One thing we’ve learned about drone filming sunsets and sunrises on properties in Tennessee is to be patient, nimble and attentive. Beautiful images reveal themselves quickly and one could miss the perfect shot in the blink of an eye. At Nashville Drone Co, we shoot fast, plentiful and explore everything we can find with our drone!

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Keith Stancil Keith Stancil

Tips for Filming Downtown Nashville With A Drone

Nashville Skyline

For new drone pilots in Tennessee, flying and filming downtown Nashville tops the bucket list for locations to capture drone video and drone photography. However, air space regulations, state and local restrictions and tall buildings present challenges making filming downtown Nashville with a drone a bit intimidating.

So what is the best way to tackle the challenge?

First of all, practicing one’s drone flying skills for many hours in an open space is a must. Before attempting to navigate the Nashville skyline, it would be wise to hone those flying skills in less intimidating locations. Those little joy sticks can help navigate majestically or they can crash your drone. Hours of practice will build muscle memory prove crucial to a safe flight.

Nashville Drone Co recommends taking a visual observer on your downtown Nashville drone adventure. When flying in an urban landscape, one can lose sight of a drone very easily. Some of our pilots at Nashville Drone Co prefer to focus on the controller screen in order to see what they are filming while staying in constant communication with a visual observer alerting them to surroundings and people wandering into the area. Power lines, light poles and buildings come into play when flying at lower altitudes and can make take off and landing a bit tricky. Music City also offers birds to contend with. Our drones are quite often attacked by flocks of birds while flying downtown Nashville. The sound of a drone apparently attracts and irritates birds so a visual observer can give warning if the birds become aggressive. we prefer not to have our drones crash like the government drone in recent news which was taken down by a bald eagle.

Knowing what air space you are in and knowing the state and local restrictions are crucial. While most of Downtown Nashville is in G airspace, it sits near the edge of C airspace spilling over from Nashville airport. Downtown Nashville is scattered with metro parks which are prohibited spaces for flying drones. Both sides of the Cumberland river contain metro parks that stretch the most of the length of downtown, so finding a legal place to launch from takes a little planning.

And lastly, but most important is avoiding flying over people. We’ve found the best way to avoid people is to fly early mornings. Early morning also offers the best light for filming. Civil Twilight can work also but we find way less people moving around Nashville early in the morning.

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