Does your event need drone footage?

Drone footage is worth it when the place itself is part of the story: a large outdoor site, a coastline, a long procession or a venue seen from far away. For most indoor events, ground cameras tell the story better and carry less risk.

What an aerial shot actually adds

A drone shot does a few things well. It shows the size of a place, how people move through it, and where the event sits in its surroundings. It is best used for one or two opening or closing shots, not as the backbone of a film.

It adds little when the action is inside a hall, when the ceiling is low, or when the moments that matter are faces and speeches. In those cases, a multi-camera recording gives you more.

A quick fit test

This is a rule of thumb. The right answer depends on your venue, your date and what you want the film to do.

Weighing the trade-offs

1. Value. Will the shot be used in the film, or only look good in a list of options?
2. Permission. Flight needs approval, and guidance from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) says standard applications go in at least 14 working days before the activity. Read planning lead time before you commit.
3. Conditions. Rain, wind and venue rules can stop a flight on the day.
4. People. Flying near crowds needs extra care. See drone footage near crowds and restricted areas.
5. Cost. A drone adds planning and an operator. Ask for it as a separate line in the quote.

A worked example

Imagine a company family day on an open field, with about 800 guests. This is an illustration only.

An aerial opening shot could show the whole field filling up. But the people are close together, and the weather can change. A sensible plan is one aerial shot if approval and conditions allow, plus a raised ground camera that covers the same view if they do not. The film works either way.

Signs you can skip the drone

You can usually leave it out if the event is indoors, if the venue is small, or if your budget is tight and the highlights are about people. Money saved on a drone can go to a second camera or clearer sound, which most guests notice more.

You can also leave it out if the date is close. Drone approval takes time, and a rushed request is the most likely to fall through.

What we confirm for your event

If a drone will not help your event, we tell you so.

• The shot a drone would give you that a ground camera cannot.
• What the venue allows, checked before we suggest a flight.
• The ground plan for when the drone stays down.

If the answer is yes, the details to confirm come next. You can also use our drone coverage planning checklist or read about our drone footage service.