Ever since a landmark ruling made it legal for film crews to use drones on set, these unmanned aerial vehicles have been enthusiastically embraced by production crews and used extensively in films of all sizes.

Drones are lighter, smarter, often safer and significantly less expensive than helicopters or camera jibs for capturing hard-to-reach aerial shots. But they come with their own unique set of challenges that producers need to be aware of before getting started on a shoot. For details on FPV Drone Filming, go to www.skypower.co.uk/drone-services/fpv-drone-filming/

One of the most important things to do is to scout out the location for drone footage in advance of a production day. This helps to save time and resources because you can get an idea of the shot list and what will be needed for each of the locations beforehand. This is especially important for areas with varying regulations, such as altitude limits, flying near public transport or other buildings, insurances, licenses, passing close to no-fly zones, and other restrictions.

TV news drones are another major use for drones, especially when they are equipped with broadcast-quality HD cameras. This type of footage can be used to complement or replace traditional live shots on a newscast and is also useful for weather news, traffic news and stories that require wide shot visuals of large areas.

Finally, drones are also becoming a staple of music videos, where they can be used to add drama or tension to a performance or to capture unique angles and perspectives that would otherwise be impossible on-foot or with a camera crane. The cost-effectiveness and versatility of drones means that they are an essential part of any modern film or TV production.