Great SwimRun. Very happy to receive the news from The Great Run Co (Great North Run & Great North Swim fame) that the aerials that were filmed for the SwimRun promo last October achieved the highest views on Facebook for The Great Run Co than any of their other promos. I’m very glad that everyone watching enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed filming the shots. For your information the event will take place on the 10th June 8:30am though you should check the official website for all details. A link will be placed at the bottom of the blog.
Last year Skylark Aerial Photography provided the aerial filming of The Great North Swim, the footage was seen on TV, social media and within the local tourist industry in the Lakes.
The shoot was very interesting in that a second drone from another production company was also filming at the event. Because of the proximity of our operating areas we had a discussion to agree on where the drones would operate. As you would appreciate at a national event like this the last thing you would wish for are two drones colliding with each other. However in some of the footage the other drone can be seen clearly operating in the distance.
As with all large events flying over the swimmers was to be avoided unless a particular agreement had been reached with a small group of competitors. In most cases the drone would be operating on the visual side of the operator and be panning along with the swimmers. The drone came into its own during starts when the operator could place the drone above the water and move back as the swimmers enter the water, such a great shot and one not to be missed.
Operating drones above water carry a risk, so to minimise a ditching always check battery is properly charged and increase the percentage level you will return to home at. I normally bring the drone back at 30-35% % as opposed to 21% over land. Check props secure, always change the SD card each time the drone returns, plan your operation and shoot, no sense wasting time and the battery on something that will not get the footage you require. Get the close proximity filming carried out first then move onto the longer shots when you have sussed out the swimming, wind, sunlight and heights. Use manual settings for the camera, ND filter if required. Always clean the lens down after after deployment you may have picked up water droplets with a low reveal shot. Its no good coming to the edit and there are water droplets on the footage or dust. For that matter you should always check the sensor on the camera for dust or particulate if you have changed lenses.
The Great Run Company has some very good information with regards to the Great SwimRun and Great North Swim and it is advisable to book up well in advance even more so for the Great SwimRun which will be in its first year.
http://www.greatrun.org/great-swim/swimrun
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