In short
- Drone footage is an optional extra, planned only once approvals are checked.
- Approvals come first. The standard application to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) is at least 14 working days before the activity.
- Sabah and Sarawak need additional authorisation, so mention them early.
- For a drone request we also plan ground shots, so your film does not depend on the flight.
Aerial shots can show the size of a venue, a crowd gathering or a landscape setting in a way ground cameras cannot. They are also the one part of event filming that depends most on permission, so we treat drone footage as an option that is checked first.
Drone footage is available on request and confirmed for each event. If it cannot be done for your date or venue, we plan a ground alternative so the film still works.
When drone footage makes sense
An aerial shot adds the most when the setting is part of the story:
- An outdoor launch, run, festival or community gathering over a large area.
- A resort, campus or estate where the layout is worth showing.
- An opening or closing shot that shows the venue before or after the crowd.
It adds little at a seated indoor dinner or a small hall event. In those cases the budget is usually better spent on a second camera or better sound. See multi-camera event recording for that choice.
What needs approval first
Aviation approval is only one part. Before a drone flies at an event, several people may need to say yes:
| Who | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Aviation authority | CAAM’s standard drone applications are made at least 14 working days before the activity, with additional authorisation in Sabah and Sarawak |
| Venue or landowner | Whether flying is allowed on or over the site |
| Event organiser | Whether it suits the programme and the safety plan |
| Other bodies | Anyone else with a say over the location, such as a local authority or a facility manager |
Ask early. Approval timing depends on the location and what the authorities require, so we ask for the date and place first. The drone coverage planning checklist lists the questions in more detail, and the drones guide explains the wider picture.
If you are unsure whether your event qualifies, ask us anyway. It is easier to rule a drone out early than to rebuild the plan a few days before the event.
The ground alternative
Because a flight can be refused, delayed or stopped by weather, we plan a ground alternative at the same time. Depending on your venue, that may be:
- A wide shot from a high point, balcony or rooftop, if allowed.
- A long lens from the edge of the site.
- A camera on a stand or slider that shows depth in the main space.
This means your highlight film does not depend on a single flight. If the drone flies, the aerial shots become a bonus.
What we agree before the day
- Where and when the drone will fly, drawn on a simple map if you have one, which also speeds up the first check.
- Who holds each approval and when it will be confirmed.
- Safety limits, such as keeping distance from crowds and stages.
- The weather rule: who decides to cancel and what replaces it.
- How the footage will be used, since public posting may need extra thought. See our permissions guide.
Drone footage appears as an optional line in your event quote, shaped by the operator’s time, travel, the flights planned and the editing needed. If approvals are not granted, the quote shows what changes; see how we quote. The coverage brief builder can include the drone as an optional item, so your first message carries all the facts.
If you are curious about aerial shots, tell us the venue, the date and what you hope the shot will show. We will say what we can confirm and suggest a ground alternative if the drone is not possible.
Request a videography quoteSources
- CAAM, Unmanned Aircraft System, checked 2026-10-06
Checked on the date shown. Rules and venue requirements change, so confirm them for your own event.