successful classes from a choose

I not too long ago had the dignity of serving as a choose for the AirVuz 2025 Drone Video of the 12 months contest. Should you’ve adopted the drone video world for some time, you recognize AirVuz is likely one of the main web site platforms to showcase aerial storytelling, notably within the FPV house.

And AirVuz not too long ago introduced its winners. Congrats not simply to these winners, however actually all who entered. Every bit on the AirVuz web site is artwork in its personal proper.

So what makes a successful FPV video? After watching dozens and dozens of entries, I’ve a reasonably clear grasp on the qualities it takes to win an FPV video contest.

However earlier than I dive into what makes a successful FPV video, let’s check out the place we’ve come and the place we’re at right now.

The state of FPV right now

FPV drone movies have come a good distance since the first-ever AirVuz Drone Video Awards in 2017. In its early days, FPV was a distinct segment artwork type by proficient racers who posted their movies on-line.

FPV use has turn out to be mainstream

Today, FPV is vital in mainstream arts and leisure. Take, for instance, the Flyover Expertise attraction, a experience that locations viewers in movement seats suspended in entrance of a large curved display whereas aerial footage sweeps throughout landscapes. The idea is carefully associated to Disney’s Soarin’ attraction, which pioneered the “flying theater” format a long time in the past. In actual fact, a number of of the artistic minds behind Flyover beforehand labored on Soarin’ and comparable immersive flight experiences.

I visited Flyover Chicago, which opened on Navy Pier in 2024. In contrast to conventional aerial footage (utilized in rides like Soarin’) that depends closely on helicopters and CGI, a lot of Flyover’s sequences lean into actual, dynamic motion captured by way of FPV drones. Flyover Chicago, an enormous celebration of drones, is healthier than Disney’s Soarin. Flyover has been increasing quickly as properly. Along with Chicago, there are areas in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Reykjavik, Toronto and a number of other different cities, with new sights persevering with to open around the globe, creating much more want for top-tier FPV footage.

FPV is changing into extra accessible than ever

One other main shift taking place in FPV filmmaking is accessibility.

Not way back, making a cinematic FPV video required a reasonably steep studying curve. Pilots usually needed to construct their very own drones, tune flight controllers and observe for months simply to get comfy flying handbook mode. In even simply the previous yr, the know-how has advanced dramatically.

Drones just like the DJI Avata sequence (together with the brand new Avata 360) and rising platforms just like the Antigravity 360 drone have made it a lot simpler for individuals to experiment with FPV-style footage — no soldering abilities required.

The unique Avata sequence — the Avata and Avata 2 — mixed FPV flight with options that make it approachable for novices (issues like movement controllers, built-in stabilization, impediment sensing, and sturdy ducted propellers)

Since then merchandise just like the Antigravity 360 drone have pushed the concept even additional by capturing every part across the plane in 360 levels. As a substitute of worrying about completely framing the shot throughout flight, creators can reframe the footage later in modifying, selecting the very best angles after the very fact.

The factors to make a successful video has modified

Experiences like these present simply how far drone cinematography has come. Methods developed by FPV pilots — the identical sorts of artistic flights showcased in contests like AirVuz — at the moment are shaping theme park sights, immersive theaters and large-scale leisure experiences.

A decade in the past, when FPV filmmaking first began gaining traction, the formulation for a terrific video was pretty easy:

• Fly probably the most technically tough line potential
• Seize ultra-crisp footage
• Exhibit easy management and daring maneuvers

These issues nonetheless matter, however we’ve reached a degree the place technical talent alone isn’t sufficient to make a video memorable. To make an award-winning FPV video, I’m much less taken with your flight abilities, and extra within the story you’re telling with that flight.

make the very best FPV video

One factor I saved coming again to whereas judging: the very best drone movies satirically really feel like they’re not concerning the drone in any respect. As a substitute, the drone turns into a storytelling software — a digital camera that may go locations no different digital camera can.

Articulate a narrative that’s greatest instructed by the air

One method to put collectively a terrific video is to start out with a topic the place aerial perspective really provides that means. For instance:

• Displaying the aftermath of a wildfire, revealing the total scale of devastation throughout a neighborhood
• Following the trail of a flood by way of a city, connecting the geography to the human impression
• Documenting parades or protests

Think about weaving collectively FPV footage with interviews from individuals whose properties have been misplaced, or who’re protesting a trigger, to inform their story.

After all, drones shouldn’t fly throughout lively emergencies or over crowds with out authorities approval, however the aftermath will be extremely highly effective when captured from above.

Keep away from FPV storytelling tropes

One attention-grabbing factor I observed whereas judging: when creators tried narrative-driven items, many fell into comparable themes that may get repetitive. Listed here are some examples:

The character narrative: You’ve in all probability seen the format:

• Sweeping photographs of mountains, forests, or oceans
• A voiceover about defending the planet
• Emotional music swelling within the background

I don’t dislike these movies on their very own, and actually, many have been superbly performed. However after watching dozens of entries, the message began to really feel a bit acquainted. Should you’re going to go this route, it’s essential execute completely.

The journey montage narrative: This goes one thing like:

“I really like touring to [insert country]” adopted by a sequence of beautiful aerial photographs of landscapes, cities, and landmarks.

Once more, these movies will be attractive, however in addition they really feel like low-hanging fruit narratively. The visuals carry the video, whereas the story stays pretty skinny.

Suppose severely concerning the music

Lots of drone movies depend on very comparable soundtracks. Two classes got here up repeatedly:

1. Epic cinematic music — the booming, orchestral “film trailer” sound
2. Mellow cello or piano tracks — the emotional, reflective vibe

Each can work, however whenever you hear them again and again, they begin to mix collectively.

One of many best methods to make your video stand out is just by selecting music that feels contemporary. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

What made sure movies stand out

After I look again on the entries that caught with me probably the most, that they had just a few issues in frequent:

1. They’d a transparent idea

The strongest movies had a transparent “why” past simply “I flew someplace cool.” Together with your drone video, you would possibly observe an individual, reveal a spot, doc a change or seize a second.

2. The flight supported the story

In nice FPV movies, the flight path isn’t simply spectacular — it means one thing. For instance, one stellar video flew by way of a manufacturing facility to indicate the method of how one thing was made. It wasn’t simply flying by way of bridges and tunnels as a result of the pilot might.

3. They confirmed one thing we hadn’t seen earlier than

Novelty is highly effective, and — when judging — I usually discovered myself drawn towards movies that made me suppose “I’ve by no means seen a drone used that approach earlier than.” Even when a video wasn’t technically excellent, originality usually pushed it increased in my rankings.

Inquiries to ask earlier than submitting your greatest FPV video

Should you’re hoping to make an FPV video that wins awards — or not less than captures consideration — listed below are just a few concepts of inquiries to ask your self, primarily based on what I noticed judging the competition.

1. What story am I telling? Should you can describe the story in a single sentence, you’re heading in the right direction.
2. What does the aerial perspective add? What would this story seem like with no drone? If the drone genuinely makes the story stronger, you’re onto one thing.
3. Is the place lovely? Or is it attention-grabbing. I’d somewhat see one thing I haven’t seen earlier than. I’ve seen lots of waterfalls, however I haven’t seen traditions in native communities, distinctive forms of human exercise or sudden environments.

The way forward for FPV storytelling

If there’s one takeaway from judging the AirVuz contest, it’s that FPV filmmaking is evolving. Over the previous few years, the neighborhood has confirmed it could possibly fly extremely properly. Within the coming years, the problem — and the chance — is to inform higher tales.

With that, I’d additionally wish to see extra experimental sound and pacing. Don’t be afraid to tackle uncommon music selections or sudden cuts. Combine FPV with different digital camera angles. Maintain the story tight, and ensure it’s precisely that — a narrative.

I really like a ravishing aerial panorama once I’m staring up into the display at my dentist workplace. However for award-winning footage? I need a story concerning the individuals, locations and views that solely drones can reveal.

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