I’ve been bumping into clips and bits of footage of people strapping expensive kit to helicopters for a while now. So I thought I’d jot down some of the good stuff.
There’s an exciting Camera Revolution that’s been unfolding for a few years. GoPro’s and SLR’s with full HD video all contributing to cheap, accessible filmmaking. Now expensive chopper shots are achievable as well. Extreme Sports in particular have been understandably quick on the uptake with some amazing results, and tons of potential.
I think the current push will open doors for new camera work in the world of big blockbuster movies. Less CGI and more stunts, all shot from multiple angles with flyby, close-to-the-action choppers. I can already picture epic car chases through city streets and passages. Yes please!
Some (there are so many) examples of what’s fuelling my excitement:
Standard chopper (2 blades) with a red on.
httpv://vimeo.com/35160025
I think this is a normal chopper as well, it was shot during the billabong pro at teahupoo in Tahiti.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm_0L4mL9pc
All of these use the multi-blade gyro copter style stuff:
Octocopter with a red doing some test shots, nice shots of the rig.
httpv://vimeo.com/30255067
Quadrocopter filming some BMX stuff.
httpv://vimeo.com/26474200
Good footage of a GoPro on a Quad Rotor.
httpv://vimeo.com/18716510
There have been some pretty crazy developments in standard (without cameras) gyro copters. For example due to their superior stability and control they can use GPS to fly pre-determined paths. I expect to see all of these things used with cameras soon.
Oh, and this is sort of related: some epic slow motion footage of a massive day at Teahupoo shot on a Phantom.
