If your show is union, your aerial unit has to be too. That is not a preference, it is a condition of hiring.
Chicago's long-running network series slate means steady union work, and productions here expect vendors who already know how the aerial unit sits inside a Local 600 camera department. We crew accordingly.
CineDrones supplies Local 600 crews for union productions and non-union crews where the show allows it. We know how the aerial unit fits into the camera department on a union call sheet, how the day is accounted for, and what production accounting needs from us. It is the least glamorous part of the job and the part that most often decides whether a vendor gets hired twice.
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.
Chicago carries a long-running slate of network series alongside features and commercial work, anchored by Cinespace. Producers here are used to cold-weather logistics and expect an aerial unit that can work through conditions rather than wait them out.
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.
The same toolkit on union and non-union days — the crewing changes, the capability does not.
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 →
We supply Local 600 crews for productions that require them and non-union crews where the show allows. You do not need to source two vendors to cover both cases.
As part of the camera department, with the classifications and accounting your UPM expects. It is the least interesting part of the job and the part that most often decides whether a vendor gets a second call.
Yes. Plenty of productions run union principal photography and non-union second unit or promo work. We staff to whatever the specific day requires.
LOCAL 600 DRONE OPERATORS — 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!