Aerial Video

[boomstrikevideo]

I thought I would introduce myself and my latest venture - Perfect Perspectives Aerial Photography. I am based in Dayton, Ohio and provide HD video (and still photography) via both full size aircraft but specializing in remotely piloted helicopters. It is my intent to offer high quality HD aerial media at the most reasonable cost possible.

I became interested in film production/aerial video when I was asked to provide flying special effects for Sharon Stone's production of "The Mighty" back in 1998 in Cincinnati.

If I have any "niche" it is my experience flying unmanned aerial vehicles. I have flown these intricate machines for the past 25 years. Much of this was competing in international competition including winning a world championship. I have spent the last several years performing UAV consulting for defense contractors such as General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.

I have spent much of the last year developing a system that permits maneuvering a large UAV helicopter and gyro stabilized HD camera with surgical precision. I am currently using the 6 lb. Panasonic AG-HVX200 but can also carry other cameras with minor modifications. The helicopter is just under 8 ft. in length and has a payload capacity fof 20 lbs. and a non-stop flight duration of one hour.

I have a full-time day job that I have worked for the past 28 years so this is a part-time effort for now. I have 5 weeks of vacation which I intend to use solely for aerial video projects. Project involvement would require some advanced notice and will be scheduled on a first come-first served basis.

Thanks,

Wendell Adkins

[villeluna]

website?

[JoeNash]

interesting, would love to see some mabye "test" shots (ones we wouldn't be 'stealing' from you) to see quality and such...

[boomstrikevideo]

http://perfectperspectivesaerial.com

Sorry the website is a bit lame as I have been spending all of my spare time getting the HVX200 to be happy on the helicopter. I will try to put together some video clips after the Holidays.

cheers

[Bogdan]

Those images are impressive and beautiful - thank you for the link.

I'd like to ask you something. Is it difficult/expensive to get permit to operate such kind of helicopter in large cities e.g. over Central Park in New York City? How much would you charge for let's say 1 minute of footage in such location?

[boomstrikevideo]

NYC is not a particularly difficult area to use this technology. Actually this is the preferred method to capture aerials in a post 911 world as flying full sized aircraft over densely populated areas is now prohibited or heavily restricted. Permits for all of NYC parks is no charge. A minimum $1M liability insurance policy is required however. Permission to film is still required from the MOFTB and local offices for traffic control, police and the like if needed.

We have a base mobilization charge of $2000 for the first day of shooting. After that the rate is pro-rated (reduced) based on the number of days we are engaged on site. Travel expenses are charged at actual cost.

[Christopher Barry]

I am currently using the 6 lb. Panasonic AG-HVX200 but can also carry other cameras with minor modifications. The helicopter is just under 8 ft. in length and has a payload capacity fof 20 lbs.
Wendell, seeing a photo of your rig would be a real treat. Great achievement on the world championship. :thumbsup:

[Bogdan]

Thank you for info Wendell.

Greetings.

[Mike McNeese]

Dude, you're in DAYTON!? I didn't know anybody around here was doing anything like this (I'm outside Columbus). VERY Sweet. I'd love to come out to your shoot sometime just to see how in the heck you do that stuff!

[boomstrikevideo]

This came about as an indirect result of the UAV consulting work I was doing at Wright Patterson AFB. Plus Dayton is the birthplace of aviation afterall!!!!

[BenB]

I may be PM'ing you soon. I'm looking into an RC solution for shooting with the HVX.

[boomstrikevideo]

Wendell, seeing a photo of your rig would be a real treat. Great achievement on the world championship. :thumbsup:

Thanks to the very beautiful weather today, I took the opportunity to do some more flight testing with the HVX200. The helicopter/camera combination is quickly becoming a match made in heaven. The video is nothing less than breathtaking.

Christopher,

Attached are a couple of photos of the rig as requested earlier.

Wendell

[BenB]

Can we see a sample of the video it took?

That's a bigger rig than I expected. What's the value of a craft like that?

[boomstrikevideo]

Email sent.

[cbdv]

Sharp set up Wendell, must be quite a steady hand to fly the smaller craft..... very impressive- the HVX must be the perfect HD cam.

[mcgeedigital]

Wow, that's out of control!

Good luck on your endeavor!