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 filming or photography
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
Background:
My web site here originally set up for video projection relating to film festival events, now mostly orientated to aerial filming and photography using drones. Background abilities also span a lifetime, from higher level sports study, immersed across the competitive sport environ, leading, teaching, working across Outdoor Education, qualified across water based sport, alpine snow sport, climbing and mountain activities which also bring a range of skills, insight and awareness to effectively manage on the ground planning and safety, whilst staying within the rules through qualification and permissions set by the Civil Aviation Authority
I’m an accredited member of Drone Safe Register
Camera and Technical:
Lifelong interest across technical elements, from audio design to using video for technical analysis in sport and extending to film production which led to periodical work as a cameraman with input to television programme production and commercial projects, where experience and input to manage filming in some of the more challenging settings has been instrumental to seeing successful outcomes
The time I’ve been lucky to have working alongside television programme production whilst covering major winter sports events across Europe, extended experience, seamlessly integrating with the production team covering each event. Opportunity which brought together technical abilities, personal skills and a dynamic approach with a positioning to bring new perspectives and picture acquisition in a fast paced live environment, my content also reaching across television networks worldwide
Adaptable:
I’m adaptable to connect with a broad range of aerial filming projects as well as ground based filming tasks, working independently, collaborate with other drone pilots or involve as part of a production crew
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 along with a range of technical support kit. Some of the television programme 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 (Producer: Graham Fry), World Speed Ski Championships 1988 (Producer: Mark Wilkin). 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 done:
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 currently use for most tasks is a DJI Air 2s for aerial filming and photography. I anticipate adding an additional DJI filming platform for 2026
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
From establishing aerial shots and close tracking shots to aerial filming for the live occasion
Streaming Aerial Content: I’m able to stream live content from the air, monitoring shots, review or recording and where communication with a pilot is needed I’ll use coms headsets which have a 350M range
Planning is an integral part of preparation, a ground based task can be simple to manage, whereas an aerial filming can become complex in planning, preparation and managing a task depending on operational limitations and 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
Limitation: CAA A2 CofC ‘Open Category’ flights are to be more than 150 metres distance from any building
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
Many flights are carried out under the ‘Open Category’ where there are more flight restrictions in relation to closeness to property and buildings, however as and when I elect to operate flights under the CAA GVC/PDRA –(Pre Defined Risk Assessed) Licence, issued in the ‘Specific Category’ with an Operational Authorization from the CAA, then this licence requires following all elements as set out in my pre defined Operations Manual, then this licence permits flights closer to people and property
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 CofC in the ‘Open Category’
CAA – GVC – General Visual Certificate in the ‘Specific Category’ (GVC-PDRA) 2025
I’m an accredited member of Drone Safe Register
Insurance: I’m insured through ‘Coverdrone’
Additional kit I have to support aerial filming, ground based filming, photography or audio visual projects
Transmission: For video transmission I have Hollyland – Pyro-S 4k 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 for safety or between pilot and production crew
Camera: For ground based filming or photography I’m currently using a Sony A7Riv (62Mp) full frame mirrorless camera with wide screen ‘Sirui’ Anamorphic lenses (1.6x squeeze ratio), DJI LiDAR focus control
Gimbal: DJI Ronin RS4 Pro
Tripod: Three stage tripod with fluid head, lightweight tripod and compact table top tripod
GoPro ‘Hero 13 Black’ with attachments that include an underwater housing, Anamorphic (wide screen) lense attachment, with flexibility to add many more camera mounting accessories, surf board, kayak, ski, helmet, bike and car mounts
Recording visuals: I have various setups for video recording (4K), whether directly to a digital camera, to a drone, drone controller, ‘Atomos Ninja-V’ monitor with recording onto SSD, or to Black Magic ‘Hyper Deck Studio HD’ recording onto SD Cards
Camera monitoring: Atomos ‘Ninja V’ – records 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
Microphones: I’ve a range of high specification microphones for sound recording, which gives adaptability to select the best microphone, best matched for each task. 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, Audio interface – ‘Presonus 1810c Studio‘
Projection: I have two projectors which I’ll use for audio visual projects, film festival screenings and projection of creative visuals, these Christie HD DLP video projectors are designed for high definition cinematic screening, each can output 7,500 Ansi Lumens and are also designed to pair together to double onto surface light to 15,000 Ansi Lumens. I’ll use short or long throw zoom lenses to match to the onto surface throw distance, size of screen or venue size. To partner the projection setup I’ve a modular Draper ‘Stage-Screen’ (549mm x 309mm) 18ft x 10ft with 16:9 aspect ratio for front projection, designed with fittings for stage mounting or flying. I’ve used these projectors for non commercial visual arts projects and community film screenings where there has been enthusiastic collective input to make for a successful event
Audio: If detail in sound reproduction is desired for film screenings or the more bespoke occasion then this can be delivered through my own custom build Studio Monitors (4 x 200w), suitable for smaller venue spaces supporting up to 200 people
Sound amplification: I have is by ‘Powersoft’ (M50Q – 4 x 1,250w). This professional power amplifier will reliably provide enough output across four channels for sound that might be needed to support a screened occasion
I don’t dry hire kit but do provide all the technical resources and connectives that might be needed as well as planning, preparation and running a project setup
