The Secret to Great Drone Filmmaking Might Surprise You
I used to believe that being a great drone filmmaker was all about technical skills.
Flying smoothly, mastering the camera, and using the best gear.
But after years in the industry, I’ve learned that these important things don’t make you great. What truly sets apart the best drone filmmakers is something else entirely.
It’s storytelling, emotion, and the ability to make people feel something when they watch your footage.
It reminds me of one of my favourite quotes:
“In the end, no one is going to remember what you said or did. People will remember how you made them feel.” – Matthew Luhn.
More Than Just Beautiful Shots
Early in my career, I focused on precision. I wanted every shot to be technically perfect. But something was missing. No matter how smooth the drone movements were, the footage often felt… empty.
It lacked soul.
That’s when I realised that drone filmmaking is not just about capturing landscapes from above. It’s about telling a story from a new perspective.
In Building a StoryBrand, Donald Miller says that the best stories make the audience the hero.
That changed the way I approached filmmaking. Instead of just showcasing a location, I started asking:
- What’s the story here?
- What emotions do I want people to feel?
That’s when my work truly came alive.
Facing the Challenges of Creativity
The biggest challenge in drone filmmaking isn’t technical. It’s creative.
Sometimes, you face doubts.
You wonder if your work is good enough.
You struggle to find fresh ideas.
Every artist faces this, and Steven Pressfield discusses it in The War of Art. He calls it “Resistance”. That invisible force that tries to keep you from doing your best creative work.
The only way to fight it?
- Keep creating.
- Keep pushing through.
- Keep looking for the story that needs to be told.
A Lesson from the Skies
One of the most powerful projects I ever worked on was filming over Western Australia’s rugged landscapes. The scenery was breathtaking, but what made the footage special wasn’t the views. It was the people. I spent time with locals, listened to their stories, and learned about their connection to the land.
Suddenly, the shots were about more than cliffs, waves, and red dirt. They were about history, culture, and emotion.
That’s when I understood that great drone filmmaking isn’t just about what you see. It’s about what you feel.
What Truly Makes a Great Drone Filmmaker?
It’s not the latest drone.
It’s not how well you fly.
It’s not even how cinematic your shots look.
It’s the ability to tell a story, connect with your subject, and create something that moves people, making a great drone filmmaker.
So, don’t just think about the shot next time you launch your drone. Think about the story.
Think about the emotion. People may forget what you capture, but they’ll always remember how your stories make them feel.
Can I help you?
