Projection Projects
Aerial Filming and Photography
Aerial filming and Photography, using drones to capture visuals and perspectives from the air
What I do:
Welcome to my web site, I’m Nick Fenwick, based in Brighton, East Sussex where I do Aerial Filming and Photography using drones to capture interesting perspectives from the air. Aerial filming and photography projects from the smaller to the more complex
My web site originally set up for video projection, now orientated to aerial filming and photography using drones where I bring together background abilities as a cameraman with sound, lighting and technical skills
Background experience includes work across television programme production and on commercial projects:
Camera work done for TV programme producers: BBC TV – Ski Sunday – 18 progs – (camera & sound), including World Alpine Ski Championships 1987 and World Speed Ski Championships 1988). London Weekend TV – (lighting cameraman) for LWT – Christmas special – (LWT programme award winner – Montreaux 1991). CH4 – TV (Camera & Sound for Multi Media Arts- “Revealing Secrets”), B Sky B – Golf – Slaley Hall, Northumberland (camera & sound). Tyne Tees Television (Outside Broadcast & News)
Commercial filming done: In Flight entertainment for ‘Virgin Atlantic’ (camera & sound)-In flight Production. Mountain walks of Cumbria for ‘Striding Edge productions’ (camera & sound). Cameraman at live staged event for ‘RTS’ ‘Royal Television Society’ annual regional awards. Aerial camera for ‘Amec Offshore – ‘Tiffany’ offshore project’, Producer: John Bird
Audio Visual: Regional car launch event for GM Vauxhall. Coordinating and running a TV training event for Gateshead Health Authority. Video projection at Phoenix Gallery, Brighton. Exterior surface video projection for a visual arts conference at Goldsmiths, Uni London 2018. Video Projection – on stage visuals for staged music event Brighton 2018
Aerial platforms I use are by DJI. The drone I’ll use for most tasks is a DJI Air 2s for aerial filming and photography
The DJI Air 2S – for aerial filming and photography can capture video in 1080-HD, 4K-Full HD or 5.4K-Ultra HD, 10 bit D-Log, 20MP RAW and JPEG stills
The large one inch camera sensor can capture video to 5.4K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps and 1080 at 120fps
For many aerial filming tasks, the Air 2s is compact, which gives flexibility to get to some of the more difficult to access locations. This drone will deliver sharp results and is very capable of reliably meeting most shoot requirements
The DJI Air 2S is a cost effective way to get establishing shots, aerial panoramas, aerial sequences, fine subject tracking and photography from the air
Planning is an integral part of preparation, a task can range from simple to manage, but also an aerial filming job can become complex in planning, preparation and managing a task depending on what is required. Safety is a priority, each job is risk assessed and planned beforehand
Skills alongside aerial filming with drones also extends to ground based filming, sound and photography. With a multi skilled dynamic approach, I’m versatile with a flexibility to work across multi tasking needs and production budgets
I’ve an increasing bank of stock images, aerial video (4k res) and photography available for producers and programme makers, although as yet to catalogue and list here
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) I use are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It is essential that I comply with and adhere to the regulations set out by the CAA. Every drone flight involves preparation, location assessed for safety and airspace checks prior to a flight taking place. Environmental conditions can impact as to whether a drone can fly or not
The Remote Pilot has total control of a flight or filming and has the final say if the conditions are not considered safe to fly. Good planning beforehand helps maintain a safe and professional drone operation
To comply with privacy laws and stay within CAA regulations which also relate to safety. I’m not currently permitted to fly within 50 meters of uninvolved people and not allowed to fly within 150 meters of organised open air gatherings or congested areas. Operational planning necessitates keeping within the rules and maintain visual line of sight at all times (up to 500m)
I’m certified through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly drones in UK airspace and able to fly drones commercially
Certification: CAA – A2 Certificate (CofC)
In progress: CAA General Visual Certificate (GVC) expected to complete qualification/certification in 2025
Insurance: I’m insured through ‘Coverdrone’
Additional kit I have to support ground based filming, photography or audio visual projects
Camera: Sony A7Riv (62Mp) full frame mirrorless camera. Lenses: Anamorphic with 1.6x squeeze ratio. Camera monitoring: Atomos ‘Ninja V’, Gimbal: DJI Ronin. Tripod with fluid head
Sound: Sennheiser (G2) radio microphone (handheld with performance capsule), Sennheiser (G2) radio belt pack transmitters, Sennheiser (G2) radio belt pack receivers, EV PL95 Dynamic Cardioid microphone, Sennheiser (ME80) rifle microphones, Sennheiser ECM tie microphones, Tascam 4 track digital recorder
Projection: Christie HD DLP video projectors (8,000 Ansi lumens) with short throw & long throw lenses, a modular Draper ‘Stagescreen’ (11ft x 18ft) for front projection, (stage mounted or flying). Supporting audio includes power amplification by ‘Powersoft’ (4 x 1,250w), reference standard Studio Monitors ( 4 x 200w) and all connective cabling that might be needed. I’m able to manage independently the more bespoke audio visual screened event or collaborate with other producers
