We use the Freefly MoVI camera gimbals for the majority of our aerial cinematography because of how adaptable and reliable they are. We can take apart, re-size, balance and configure each MoVI gimbal to fit the the camera requirements of our clients. The great thing about the MoVI M5 is that they can be inverted, which works perfectly when mounted atop the Alta drone or even the Freefly Tero RC. It features a carbon fibre frame and built in GPS control algorithms that keep the camera locked on target in Drift-Free Horizon mode. This feature works seamlessly with the drone where sustained acce ..read more

The Freefly MoVI Controller is the perfect tool for manipulating MoVI gimbals. Using Dual Operator Mode is great on fast paced shots because it enables one person to concentrate on framing whilst the other focuses on manoeuvring the MoVI, granting unrestricted 3-axis camera moves. Primarily we use the MoVI Controller when operating our drones for its ability to intuitively fine tune and adjust the MoVI parameters like pan, tilt and roll, literally on the fly. Like all Freefly equipment it comes housed in a lightweight but strong carbon fibre enclosure, with pan/tilt joysticks and adjustable Fo ..read more

Here at IronBird we use the Teradek Bolt Pro 2000 to transmit and receive video from our drone platforms. The Bolt Pro 2000 is a zero delay wireless video system that transmits uncompressed 1080p60, 4:2:2 video up to 2000ft over the 5GHz band. Since the HD signal is not compressed, the system works in live broadcasts and also gives the camera operator and director on the ground a ‘live’ view of exactly what is being filmed on camera. The transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) boxes are made from milled Aluminium which makes them very sturdy and tough ‘on set’, but also light weight – which is inva ..read more

Freefly Systems are known for designing and manufacturing industry standard camera movement systems and stabilisers used in cinematography. They are a US based company formed in 2011 that gained notoriety in the digital video industry after launching their camera stabilisation system the MoVI M10, which provided a smaller and more agile alternative to Steadicam. What was so important about this alternative is that it eliminated the need for the camera operator to wear a harness with an iso-elastic arm and counterbalance weights to get their steady shots. This was nothing short of revolutionary ..read more

This week whilst filming down at Trafalgar Docks here in Liverpool, I had the chance to test fly one of DJI’s latest drone models from our good friends at SparkleVFX, the DJI Mavic Pro. Weighing in at only 743g and having fold away arms for easy portability, this little drone easily fits into a small bag and punches well above its weight in terms of mobility, control and video quality. You can record 4K videos and take 12MP stills with the tiny 3-axis gimbal camera, all whilst flying for around 27 minutes per battery. For its size I was quite surprised how well it held its position in GPS mod ..read more

360 videos and virtual reality are no longer just fads, they are here to stay. Gone are the days of donning rickety 3D glasses to go watch the latest action movie at the cinema, now is the time for Virtual and Augmented reality. As film makers and videographers find new ways to engage their audiences, immersive VR videos have been established as the ‘go to’ user experience. The vast amount of virtual experiences now available to audiences are simply staggering. You can take a swim underwater with Blue Whales or ride a rollercoaster, all from the comfort of your armchair. With companies like Go ..read more

What is an OSC? It’s been a long but thoroughly interesting meander into the world of the coveted Congested Aera Operating Safety Case (CAOSC, or OSC) for me this past 6 months. It began late last year (on paper, much earlier in my head!)….and we crossed the finish line earlier this month. 3 Volumes and 99 pages later, we have reduced our minimum distances with heavy lift rigs down to 20m on takeoff and 30m in flight within Towns and Cities, or any other congested areas. The CAA Introduced the CAOSC system in an effort to effectively step-up the safety efforts of operators wanting to use +7kg ..read more

A More Familiar Sight. Last week we were filming with the Arri Alexa Mini. This wasn’t the first time we have been asked to pop a Mini on the MoVI. In fact it’s becoming more and more popular by the month – we’ve also filmed with the Arri Alex Mini on a MoVI and put the whole thing on a rope before! Needless to say, its a bit of a favourite of ours now this Arri Alexa Mini business. This time we were up in the Scottish highlands filming a sequence for the Netflix and Starz Network series 2 Outlander with Left Bank Pictures. You’ll have to watch the whole season to see our handywork in the fina ..read more

CAPTURE Here’s a 360° shot we did of the Liverpool Waterfront showing the 3 Graces against the city. We use 7 cameras to capture our 360° panoramas that can be used for multiple purposes. We think they’re really fun to do and give a unique experience for the viewer once stitched together on our systems – especially if you’re viewing via a VR device, like the google cardboard. The technology is so accessible now that anybody can view these images in this ‘subversive’ form, even on a tablet or phone. APPLICATION The 360° camera rig can be used for still photographs in a virtual tour, for example ..read more

FORD! Theres so much weight to a company like The Ford Motor Company, it’s like Coca Cola, or British Airways – there’s a history, a certain presence that attracts me to the brand. So, naturally when we received a call asking us to work on a project showing the new 4 x 4 range, I jumped at the chance. FROM MOUNTAIN TO SEA. We were tasked by Proudfoot.tv to show the vehicles on a journey from the high peaks of Snowdonia National Park, Wales, to the brisk shores of the Irish Sea. Easy right!? well, actually , yeah it is! The vehicles look great, the locations are stunning….without making it look ..read more