Is it true that the advent of the drone has made crane shots and all their attendant set up time obsolete? I have a 10 year old Kessler crane...a big heavy 8-footer capable of 50 lbs and a big heavy Kessler tripod with a helix head. I am wondering whether to put it back into use now that I have the manpower to operate it. I could get another 4 foot extension for it. Also, in searching through my basement stuff, I found a remote for Panasonic cameras, including the DVX200. In the box were 5 foot extension cords so I can record/focus/zoom, etc.
Use of crane/versus drone - are cranes obsolete?
- Thread starter greytail
- Start date
Cryogenic Filmworks
Veteran
We did a shoot in January using both crane and drone. I think you will still need a crane if you are shooting sound as drones make too much noise.
egproductions
Veteran
They have replaced cranes the same way electronic gimbals have replaced steadicams, as in not really, only for some shots.
CreativeLiquid
Member
Cranes are not obsolete. They will still be key for indoors and any area outside where you can't fly a drone.
I'm in the DC area and our office and most of the metro area is an FAA no fly zone. No issue using a crane.
I'm in the DC area and our office and most of the metro area is an FAA no fly zone. No issue using a crane.
emretufekci
Well-known member
Could not possinly have been said better.
There's also the issue of heavy cam rigs like an alexa trying to be fitted onto a octacopter. A crane would be a much wiser choice in said scenario. Cranes also make amazing shots from moving vehicles and if you're trying to film a shot through a second story window it's also better to use a crane as (for example) you can put the lens up next to the glass and not fear the drone props hitting and crashing.
El Director
Veteran
Plus, in a lot of ways, cranes offer more control and can be computer controled to be repeatable. Use the right tool for the job
Bruce Watson
Veteran
Hardly. You think there's no setup time with a drone? No rehearsal?
Drones are noisy, have very limited lift capacity, and very limited flying time. You can set up your crane while the actors get ready have it ready and waiting. Same as what happens between takes; it just sits there in ready position. Drones can't do that, they have to be maintained and batteries have to be changed and recharged, and all that has to happen on the ground. I think of cranes as being low maintenence and drones as being high maintenance. But maybe that's just me.
The only reason to use a drone is that you can't get it done any other way. Same as using wireless for audio. Neither drones nor wireless are ever my first option, only my last, but still tools available when I've got to have them.
Run&Gun
Veteran
No sir. See the above posts for excellent reasons why.
I was just on a shoot last week. It was an "interview" indoors with four cams, one on a jib. I don't think a drone would have worked too well since we were recording sound and the jib was constantly working for at least a solid hour. As a side note, our jib op is also a drone pilot. He was his waivers and is probably one of the few "legal" guys around us. One of his crew when he flys is actually a flight instructor. He said it's amazing how much more the doors open and easier they get approval for flights when "the powers that be" find out. He's also prob one of the few guys that turn down "illegal" jobs. He had a producer for NBC contact him about shooting some aerials for an Olympic piece. Producer told him what he wanted and he told him NO. He only wanted to pay about $500 and was basically wanting to fly in extremely restricted airspace in the downtown area of a major city. Producer said he'd just find someone with a little drone to do it for a few hundred bucks. He told the producer good luck and call him when he had a realistic budget and expectations.
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emretufekci
Well-known member
Same logic here, thats why I have a full size steadicam and a gimbal. Overlap, not replace.