FPV gets you the shot that used to require a crane, a dolly, a Steadicam operator and three cuts — in one take.
FPV along the river and through the Loop is some of the most technically demanding urban flying in the country, because the canyon effect between buildings produces wind that is not what the forecast says at street level. Indoors, Chicago's stage space and practical architecture make for excellent continuous moves.
Speed, tight interiors, dives, through-the-window one-ers, and chase sequences that never cut — motorcycle to car to foot chase and back again in a single continuous take. FPV is the tool when the move itself is the point. It is also the least forgiving discipline in aerial work: there is no hover, no second chance mid-run, and the margin for error inside a practical location is measured in inches. Ours is flown by pilots who have done it on sets with talent in frame.
Chicago is squeezed between O'Hare and Midway, both Class B, with the lakefront offering the one clean approach into the skyline. Wind coming off Lake Michigan is a genuine operational factor rather than a footnote, and downtown creates canyon effects that punish crews who have not flown it before.
Chicago crews are experienced at working through weather that would stop a shoot elsewhere, and productions here budget for it. The city's stage space and long-running series slate mean a stable, professional crew base rather than a boom-and-bust one.
We shoot the Loop, the lakefront, the river, and the neighborhoods — and we travel. CineDrones works nationwide, so if your production is basing in Chicago and shooting somewhere else entirely, that is a normal week for us.
Cinema FPV airframes built for the payload rather than racing frames with a camera strapped on, flying anything from a GoPro to cinema cameras depending on what the shot needs.
Our aerial units have worked on Ozark, Jack Ryan, Bosch, Mayans M.C., SEAL Team, NCIS: New Orleans, Fear the Walking Dead, American Horror Story, Modern Family, 9-1-1, Goliath, The Resident, Raising Dion, Castle Rock, Doctor Sleep and Chef's Table, for Netflix, Amazon, Apple, HBO, Hulu, Showtime, Sony, CBS, AMC, MTV and Bravo. See the work →
With the right crew and the right protocol, yes — and it is flown around talent on major productions constantly. The protocol is the product: rehearsed runs, a defined corridor, a spotter, prop guards where appropriate, and a pilot who will call it off.
More rehearsal than the shot suggests. The run is choreographed with the AD, walked, then flown clean several times before anyone is in frame. The take you see is usually attempt eight or nine, and that is normal.
Often yes, and indoors the federal airspace question largely disappears — it becomes a property access and safety question instead. Interiors are where FPV does some of its best work.
FPV DRONE PILOT — OTHER MARKETS: Albuquerque Atlanta Austin Las Vegas Los Angeles Miami New Orleans New York Salt Lake City
Get ready to elevate your production to new heights with CineDrones! Operating in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, Albuquerque, Austin, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Salt Lake City, and New Orleans, we bring the power of cutting-edge drone technology to every project. Whether you're capturing breathtaking aerial footage, thrilling FPV shots, or immersive drone-based virtual reality, our expert teams of FAA-certified pilots, aerial camera pros, and drone techs have you covered. Fully compliant with Part 107 regulations and protected by a $5M aviation liability policy, we guarantee precision, safety, and creativity. Plus, with Local 600 union and non-union crews available, we’re ready to deliver jaw-dropping results wherever you need them!