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 as well as utilising background abilities for ground based filming and audio visual projects
Experience and versatility to help get the shots that can make a difference
Background:
My web site here originally set up for video projection relating to audio visual and film screenings, now mostly orientated to aerial filming and photography using a drone. Background abilities also span a lifetime, from sports study, immersed across the competitive sport environ, to leading, teaching and 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 align with adventure film projects whilst also being able to effectively manage on the ground planning and safety
I’m an accredited member of Drone Safe Register
Camera and Technical:
A lifelong interest across technical elements, from audio design to using video for analysis of performance in sport extending to dedicated time spanning six years given to our Alpine Ski Teams. Opportunities which then extended to periodical input to television programme production with input to BBC Ski Sunday in 1987, where experience with ability to access and manage filming in some of the more challenging settings has been instrumental to seeing the successful outcomes achieved. During a period in the 90’s I was a member of The British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society (BKSTS), where their support with events and training days I’d taken up being very much appreciated. Timing wise, just prior to significant changes across the television and production landscape along with challenging times to find pathways forwards, along with the technology crossover from analogue to digital
The time I’ve been lucky to have opportunity, gaining exceptional experience working alongside television programme production whilst covering major winter sports events across Europe, seamlessly integrating with the production team covering each event. Opportunity which brought together technical abilities, independently managing Camera, Sound and Lighting in a broadcast setting. Personal skills and a dynamic approach with a positioning to bring new perspectives and picture acquisition in a fast paced live environment, capturing unique moments, my content also reaching across television networks worldwide. Staying ahead and up to speed with camera technology across production has always helped maintain pre-defined standards and to delivering outcomes above expectation
Adaptable:
With extensive background experience, this gives adaptability to bring a range of skills to effectively manage aerial filming projects as well as connecting a reliable ground based filming capability
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 (DOP Alisdair Macmillan) – (LWT programme award winner – Montreaux 1991). CH4 – TV (Camera & Sound for Multi Media Arts- “Revealing Secrets”), B Sky B – Golf at Slaley Hall, Northumberland (camera & sound). Tyne Tees Television (Camera – Outside Broadcast). Cameraman for live staged event for ‘RTS’ ‘Royal Television Society’ annual regional awards (North East Centre)
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. 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 a staged music event in Brighton
Testimonials:
“We were glad you were able to work with us last Saturday to give our Presentation the gloss only good camerawork can add to the live occasion”
“It isn’t easy to provide virtually continuous coverage under these conditions, both George Russell (the guest of honour, who is Chairman of IBA) and I watched your work from the stage and we were very impressed by your professionalism all evening”
The late – John Frost
(Chair) Royal Television Society
North East Centre
BBC Television
“Thank you for all your hard work you put in at La Clusaz. Tony and I were very happy with all the shots and bearing in mind we could only shoot the actual skiing on one day, I thought the results were remarkable. I look forwards to working together some time in future”
Piers Croton
Assistant Producer – TV Sport
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
Camera: For ground based filming or photography I’m currently using a Sony A7Riv (62Mp) full frame mirrorless camera with wide screen ‘Sirui’ Full Frame Anamorphic lenses (1.6x squeeze ratio). Recording onto SD card
A useful addition to camera kit is a Go-Pro camera, the GoPro ‘Hero 13 Black’ provides an option to get additional dynamic content which can seamlessly fit together alongside other content in the edit. The many attachments provide versatility in a lightweight compact setup. Attachments include Anamorphic (wide screen) lense, underwater housing, camera mounting accessories, surf board, kayak, ski, helmet, bike and car mounts
Gimbal: A good gimbal is a integral part of my kit to capture dynamic movement, smooth tracking, keeping framing centred and in focus. The DJI Ronin RS4 Pro with LiDAR brings an elevated level of precision to manage camera focus and motion flow, also an add on option is ‘RavenEye’ for added versatility
Tripod: Three stage tripod with fluid head, lightweight tripod and compact table top tripod
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, recording onto SSD, or to Black Magic ‘Hyper Deck Studio HD’ recording onto SD Cards
Camera monitoring: An integral component of my camera kit is a camera monitor which has all the features helpful to view and manage the camera output and provides a de-squeeze monitor view for a Anamorphic lenses. The 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
Coms: Where useful for location support, flight safety or location 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
Transmission: To be able to monitor a flight remotely or provide a production crew with a monitor feed helps to manage aerial content saving time and giving on the ground visual assurance for the drone visuals at the time of a flight. 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
Microphones: I’ve a range of high specification microphones for sound recording, which gives adaptability to select the microphone, best matched for each task. Sennheiser (G2) radio microphone (handheld with performance capsule), Sennheiser (G2) belt pack transmitters, Sennheiser (G2) belt pack receivers, EV PL95 Dynamic Cardioid microphone, Sennheiser (ME80) rifle microphones, Sennheiser ECM tie microphones, Audio interface and mix – ‘Presonus 1810c Studio‘
Projection: I have two ‘Christie’ DLP video projectors which I’ll use for audio visual projects, film festival screenings and projection of creative visuals, these 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. I’ve used these projectors for non commercial visual arts projects, visuals for immersive spaces and community film screenings where there has also been enthusiastic collective input to make for a successful event
A lifelong interest in audio visual presentation, which was associated with a background in Outdoor Education and leading adventure activities, early years immersed across a pioneering era for adventure activities, capturing on film some of those adventures and giving slide illustrated talks to groups. This interest extended film screenings and then to organising a mountain film festival in 1979. A programme set over three days of adventure films and illustrated talks, during a period I was working as an outdoor activities instructor with Sunderland Outdoor Activities Association. That interest continuing in recent years having supported film festival events and creative artists alongside visuals for immersive spaces. I’m continuing to be enthusiastic to support community film screenings, film shorts and audio visual projects. With projects in mind, I’ve also a filming capability, able to edit together short film reels and connect with film projects where there is an adventure story to tell
To partner the projection setup I’ve a modular stage screen (549mm x 309mm) 18ft x 10ft with 16:9 aspect ratio for front projection, designed for stage mounting or flying. I’m grateful to ‘Harkness Screens’ for their support over the past 40 years, where I’ve been using Harkness screens for community film events over that time
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 to medium sized 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 have all the technical resources and connectives that might be needed as well as planning, preparation and running a project setup
