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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Epic Takes Flight

Sorry, but we typically aren't allowed to post any footage until after the release.

Carter,

I feel you brother! Back when I started over 30 years ago, there were no gyros or other electronic devices to assist with control. I remember trying to learn to hover and could only maintain decent concentration for about 30 seconds at a time. I almost threw in the towel on numerous occasions as I thought I lacked both the coordination and mental focus to ever learn. It's funny looking back on that now as building and piloting these things ended up being one of the biggest parts of my life.
 
Wendell, how was your experience working with Josh Radnor? When we met he was the most laid back, carefree director in the world, curious if that translates on set.

It'd be an honor to work with you one day, 30 years progressive experience is really something.
 
Wow! Would love to see some of the footage. All I've ever seen from RC helicopters is GoPro footage and Canon footage.

You're very brave to let an Epic and lens fly. What agreements do you have with a client or insurance company if there is a problem, like the arial platform crashing?
 
Im currently setting up an aerial business with two colleagues in Queensland Australia, out rig (octa copter) should be ready by late January, we did some practice runs with a 5D and currently waiting for my stage 3 Epic.
Getting a commercial unmanned aerial license here in Australia is a bit of a pain and to be honest....flying those babys is much MUCH harder than i thought...but its great fun. Will post some footage as soon as we have something exciting to show.

check this, Flying EPIC and some footage from some fellow countrymen in Berlin: http://mikesenese.com/DOIT/2011/12/...neseDoIt+(DO+IT:+Projects,+Plans+and+How-tos)

Ready to fly rigs: http://www.service-drone.com/
 
Ryan,

I don't think anything has changed then. It was the most relaxed set I have ever worked on. Josh and the DP were joking constantly. The only half serious discussion I remember was when we were scouting and I found out he was a big fan of the HBO Deadwood series also. Al Swearingen style profanity ensued and it all went to hell again!

David,

We are fully insured for liability and equipment. I have never had to make a claim and don't plan on starting now. All of our aircraft are meticulously maintained in the same manner as full sized aircraft.

The multicopters are quickly gaining popularity because you don't need to be as good a pilot to fly them. For what we do, and how we do it, they have no advantages but several disadvantages. Our helis can fly for 40 minutes at a time carrying cameras like the Epic without even breaking a sweat. Because of this we are able to get many more takes in during a days shooting than any electric aircraft so it's more cost effective. Weighing in at almost 20 kilos fully fitted with an Epic, our big rigs are much more stable in high winds than a multicopter also. We have electric powered aircraft also, but for movie work I still default to flying the big 10 hp gas rigs. Our set up only works because I have so much stick time and would probably be a bad choice for someone starting out.
 
RC helicopters are so smart, I would love to see some footage links posted here.

So if you want a really smooth shot, does it help to shoot at a higher frame per second? Say 300fps epic? I'd think at a certain height, say two to five angles (altitude) off the top, the motion of water, or wind effects wouldn't be noticeable.

I have high hopes to get in a plane or ultra light this year and get some shots of the river and forest canyons when the epic comes. The only way I can conceive accomplishing smooth shots on a limited budget would be to use slow motion footage. Just a FYI, how much does a day shoot on an RC with pilot cost?

Can't wait to see your shots posted.
 
Will,

Slow motion is not a requirement to get good footage. We work very hard to provide smooth footage from 24 frames and up. The combination of a relatively large, heavy airframe (40 lbs. with Epic) and a well tuned 3 axis gyro stabilized camera mount make this possible. But realistically the most important factor is all the years of accumulated flying experience that allow me to guide the helicopter in a very smooth and steady fashion. Higher frame rates are an advantage when stabilization is used in post as the software has more opportunities to shift pixels in smaller increments, making for a smoother end result. It is a way to cheat a bit if your rig is not as smooth as it should be. For a rig that is smooth, it can be quite spectacular. Just about everything we shot this year was used without post stabilization and not overcranked.
 
I must admit that sitting in the theater watching our first Epic shots on the big screen brought a tear to my eye. It was quite a thrill hearing the audience's reaction to the shots. A big thanks to the whole Red crew for making it possible.
 
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