Questions You Should Ask Your Aerial Helicopter Filming Hiring an aerial cinematographer isn’t always easy, particularly if you’ve never worked on a production before that requires aerial helicopter filming. It’s a unique skill set and you want to be confident in your decision, particularly since your chosen aerial cinematographer will be contributing greatly to the overall efforts of your creative team.
Experience The first question you should ask any potential aerial cinematographer is how much actual cinematography experience do they have. While aviation experience is also important, the last thing you want is to spend significant time and money hiring an aerial cinematographer only to find they simply don’t have the filming experience required to deliver on your creative vision.
What equipment do you offer? An aerial helicopter filming crew should come equipped with everything they need to produce high-quality footage. This includes a camera, lenses, Shotover F1 and K1, and more. This equipment will usually be included as part of a package deal but be sure to confirm exactly what the team are providing and what the entire cost of hire (labour and equipment) will be to avoid any misunderstandings.
What type of helicopter do you fly? If you are not an aviation specialist, it may not matter what type of helicopter your chosen aerial helicopter filming company uses. On the other hand, the helicopter is an extension of the cinematography equipment and will have an impact on the quality of footage produced so it’s worth at least knowing the model and age of the vehicle.
What other services do you provide? Many aerial helicopter filming companies offer services in addition to cinematography work. Some may hire out their services for picture action stunts. Others may also offer location scouting and cast/crew transport. With that in mind, find an aerial team who can meet all of your service needs.