Aerials over the South China Sea
July 29, 2016Aerial video is exciting.
As humans need aided flight to take to the air, most viewers can only experience this perspective through video or computer graphics.
For decades, filmmakers used fixed and rotary wing aircraft to present an aerial view. Now we use UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles, a.k.a. ‘drones’) to capture stunning imagery from closer and sharper than ever before.
As a filmmaker, I have shot sequences for television commercials and feature films, often from a Aérospatiale Écureuil or Bell JetRanger helicopter with a Wescam gyroscopically controlled 35mm film camera. For decades, this was cutting edge technology. Most recently, I have ‘downsized’ the image capture technology to a DJI Inspire One and a 4K camera.
This approach delights both the practical and creative requirements of a Producer and Director. The size, weight, flexibility, economy and programmability of the UAV and the proximity, clarity and simplicity of the 4k camera result in better and closer images than ever before.
Current lightweight UAVs, use batteries which can be permitted in aircraft carry-on baggage, provided strict fire-prevention criteria are met. Shenzhen based DJI, is a world leading UAV manufacturer and the Inspire One is its most versatile aircraft.
In October 2015, Digital Tsunami arranged for a pilot and gimbal-operator to travel south from Zhuhai to a remote island in the South China Sea. Here on a beautiful clear day, they shot the site of a future Hanas LNG terminal. The quality of the images is breathtaking.
The video produced for Hanas New Energy, followed on from short videos of power generation facilities which the company manages in Inner Mongolia and the northern Chinese province of Ningxia.
Tracking over the sea on approach to the island, the camera captured the texture of the waves glistening in oblique sunlight and then ascending across the sandy beaches and lush mountainside forest of the island.
For a veteran filmmaker, a corporate client and the audience, the ability to get close to sea, land and the built environment is truly exciting.
From Our Clients
I have enjoyed working with you on this important project and have been particularly impressed by your company's professionalism. The speed and accuracy of your work has been first rate and your creative input has been instrumental to the success of the project.
Clients have really appreciated the video .. sales staff are so pleased to have this tool. It is very empowering to show.
Thanks very much for the speed & professionalism with which you continue to service our needs, despite the fact that this is provided pro bono !
Your ongoing generosity in donating the services of Digital Tsunami to Foodbank is appreciated more than you know. We, and the 30,000 people a day you help us feed, are indebted to you.
.. accurately interpreted the project brief and the outcome was a piece of cost effective quality work.
The services provided included the registration of our domain name, establishment of our email accounts, and development & hosting of our website, were all executed rapidly and effectively. We also appreciate the service of upgrading our list of 150 shelf company names (in Chinese characters and English) every 2 weeks.
We valued the high level of creative design provided by Digital Tsunami, both for the website and the corporate identity.