By: Darren Durlach
Drones have become more accessible than ever, and it’s easy to see why they can be a filmmaker’s favorite toy. They let you capture breathtaking shots that were once impossible without a Hollywood budget. But with great power comes the temptation for laziness—just sending a drone up and getting a bunch of shots without a clear purpose.
That’s a trap, says our incredible Director of Photography, Jon Mount. He sees a drone not as a shortcut, but as a flying camera. Like any other tool, it needs to be used with intention. According to Jon, the best drone footage isn’t just technically sound; it’s emotionally and narratively impactful.
Here are a few ways Jon uses drones to craft compelling stories and elevate his filmmaking.
Think Beyond the Panorama
Conveying Scale & Grandeur
Wide-angle and reveal shots are Jon’s go-to for showing the immense scale of a location. For example, he might start a shot low over a glacier and then pull back slowly to reveal a tiny seaplane taking off, emphasizing the vastness of the landscape. This technique doesn’t just show a big space; it makes the viewer feel its grandeur.
Kinetic Energy & the Path to the Unknown
Jon’s favorite shot is to fly through a small opening, like a hole in a rock formation, which then opens up to a wide and beautiful scene. This creates a dramatic reveal and adds a sense of kinetic energy, making the footage feel dynamic and alive. It’s a powerful way to guide the viewer’s eye and build anticipation.
Grounding the Viewer
Drones aren’t just for epic vistas. Jon often uses them to create a stronger sense of place by focusing on specific architectural details or flying through structures like bridges. This grounds the viewer firmly in the environment, making the location an integral character in the story.
Dramatic Reveals
Whether emerging from behind a tree line to show a town or navigating a tight space to open up to a beautiful scene, reveal shots give elements heightened importance. It’s a classic storytelling technique, and a drone’s unique perspective can make it even more impactful.
Bringing Order to Chaos
A straight top-down shot can turn a chaotic scene, like a bustling city street, into a captivating pattern of rooftops and people. This omniscient perspective transforms the viewer into an observer with a unique insight into the underlying order and texture of the scene.
Final Thought
Jon’s work is a powerful reminder that creativity thrives when we observe our surroundings and dare to take risks. A drone isn’t just a gadget; it’s a paintbrush for the sky, capable of painting powerful emotions and narratives.
Watch the Youtube video with Jon to go deeper: Click on youtube below about this very topic and subscribe to our channel for more weekly filmmaking wisdom.
