Many Challenges Ahead Using Drones in Filmmaking

[boomstrikevideo]

Many Local Governments are jockeying for control over drones in order to profit from their use through large permit fees. If this is allowed, using drones in filmmaking will only get more difficult and expensive. Hopefully in the US the FAA will use it power of preemption to avoid a patchwork of local laws, ordinances and fees for commercial drone use.

http://perfectperspectivesaerial.com...isconceptions/

[JPNola]

I feel for you guys. But that said, you entered into a specialty while it was relatively new and still the wild, wild, west. You had to suspect, if not know, that there would be a regulatory clampdown as the lawmakers caught up to the technology. I can imagine it is a bitter pill at times going from virtually no rules and being able to do whatever you pleased to ever-increasing restriction. And you all pay for the actions of the irresponsible pilots.

For professional drone businesses like yours, it could work out to your benefit. The fees and restrictions discourage and ground many of the folks doing it on the cheap with budget-price drones. Clients who want drone work and want it obtained legally will have few choices but to pay the rates of outfits such as yours that are doing it by the book. There will always be the pirates, but respectable businesses won't want to risk it and will require that the outfit they use is fully licensed. I know of a corporate client who recently pulled out of contracting a camera drone guy when they asked to see his licensing and he couldn't provide it because he has not obtained it. The corporate client wanted nothing to do with anyone who is not licensed and not doing it by the letter of the laws.

[boomstrikevideo]

Yes. When we started back in 2005 regulatory uncertainty was a biggest concern and remains so 13 years later. As you pointed out, large companies and their legal/risk management teams insist drone companies are in full compliance with all the rules. This is a good thing for those who plan to operate at a professional level for clients who are willing to pay well.

[Run&Gun]

I know of a corporate client who recently pulled out of contracting a camera drone guy when they asked to see his licensing and he couldn't provide it because he has not obtained it. The corporate client wanted nothing to do with anyone who is not licensed and not doing it by the letter of the laws.

I wish everyone was like this. I have a friend who is a licensed pilot and flys big octo's down to little DJI's. He was approached a few years ago by a producer from a big three letter network to shoot some aerials for a piece for their coverage of 'a major international sporting event'. Not only was the rate that he wanted to pay ridiculous(in the hundreds of dollars), but what he wanted him to do was illegal. He politely told him that the rate was too low and what he wanted to do was illegal on top of that. And I'm sure the producer just ignored him and went on down the line until he found someone that would do the deed and do it cheaply.

[basspig]

Too many regulations create illicit markets. We saw it with alcohol prohibition in the 30s which led to the creation of organized crime. We see it now with drugs and probably soon with drones. When they outlaw drones, only outlaws will have drones.