Projection Projects
Aerial Filming
Aerial filming and Photography, using drones to capture visuals and perspectives from the air
What I do:
Aerial filming and related ground based camerawork
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
My web site here originally set up for video projection relating to film festival events, now orientated to aerial filming and photography using drones. Background abilities also span a lifetime, from higher level sports study and immersed across the competitive sport environ, leading, teaching and working across Outdoor Education, water based sport, alpine snow sport and mountain activities which also bring skills, qualities and insight to effectively manage on the ground planning and safety
Associated periodical work as a cameraman includes work across television programme production and on commercial projects, where experience and input to manage filming in some of the more challenging settings has been instrumental to seeing successful outcomes
In addition to aerial filming I’m able to cover ground based filming where I’m currently using a Sony (62Mp) full frame mirrorless camera with (wide screen) anamorphic lenses. Some of the occasional production input I’ve made a contribution to is outlined here
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 (Camera – Outside Broadcast and 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), Producer: Richard Else. 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 ‘Hasselblad’ 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
Streaming Aerial Content: I’m able to stream live content from the air for monitoring shots, review or recording and where communication with a pilot is needed I use coms headsets with a 350M range
Planning is an integral part of preparation, a ground based task can be simple to manage, whereas an aerial filming mission can become complex in planning, preparation and managing a task depending on what is required. Safety is a priority for each aerial filming task which is risk assessed and planned beforehand
Skills alongside aerial filming with drones also extends to ground based filming, sound reproduction and photography. With a dynamic approach to each task I’ve flexibility to work across broad production needs and budgets
An expanding bank of stock images, aerial video (4k res) and photography is available for creatives, producers or programme makers
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, permissions, operational clearances 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, no flight within 30 meters of uninvolved people during take off and landing
No flight over or within 50 metres horizontal distance of assemblies of people
No flight within 150 meters of organised open air gatherings or congested areas
There are some exceptions to the above where a drone is operating in a closed environment, with involved people, where there is appropriate safety control and site management
No flight within Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs) or restricted airspace unless permission has been granted by the responsible entity
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), CAA – GVC – General Visual Certificate 2025 (GVC-PDRA)
Insurance: I’m insured through ‘Coverdrone’
Additional kit I have available to support aerial filming, ground based filming, photography or audio visual projects
Transmission: Making continuous improvements to functionality and capability, I’ve now added Hollyland – Pyro-S 4k, transmission equipment to my kit, which is ideal for multi-user monitoring in dynamic shooting scenarios, such as film production, live events and ENG/EFP applications. Pyro-S 4k supports HDMI and SDI input/output and can transmit to up to four receivers simultaneously, with a range of up to 1,300ft (400m) and minimal latency of just 50ms. Pyro S uses advanced Auto Dual-Band Hopping (ADH) technology to ensure reliable transmission and features selectable modes for real-world shooting needs
Coms: Where useful for location support, flight safety or monitoring, I’ll use ‘Synco’ coms head sets with a 350m range which enables on site communication with a pilot or production crew
Camera: For ground based filming or photography I’m currently using a Sony A7Riv (62Mp) full frame mirrorless camera with wide screen Anamorphic lenses (1.6x squeeze ratio)
A new addition to my kit is a GoPro ‘Hero 13 Black’ with attachments that include an underwater housing and the option to attach an Anamorphic (wide screen) lense along with flexibility to attach many more camera mounting accessories
Recording: I have various setups for video recording (4K), whether directly to a camera, to a drone, drone controller, ‘Atomos Ninja-V’ monitor, or to Black Magic ‘Hyper Deck Studio HD’ recording onto SD Cards
Camera monitoring: Atomos ‘Ninja V’ – record up to 6Kp30 in Apple ProRes RAW, 4Kp60, HDp120 video, integrate new formats seamlessly into the timeline of your existing ProRes RAW or ProRes projects. Apple ProRes and Avid DNx. The Atomos ‘Ninja V’ also provides a de-squeeze monitor view for Anamorphic camera lenses
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. Audio interface – ‘Presonus 1810c Studio’
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).
Audio: If uncompromising detail in sound reproduction is desired for the more bespoke occasion then this can be delivered through my own custom build reference standard Studio Monitors (4 x 200w)
Sound amplification I have is by ‘Powersoft’ (M50Q – 4 x 1,250w). I don’t dry hire kit but do provide all the technical resources that might be needed from planning, preparation and running a project setup
