How to become a professional FPV drone pilot?

[@flyingfrogfpv]

Well done you're really talking clearly about everything to consider before making a job out of it 🥰✌️

[@Fincky]

Thanks, it was the most important thing for me: not giving people a false idea of what it really is

[@ariafpv]

Hi FlyingFrog😂 found you

[@NoPro420]

@@ariafpv hesch kei hobbys?

[@Dairosky]

I have been a commercial pilot for 5 years now and fpv pilot for 3 years, after the COVID i had to look for something else to do and fpv is a great option!! thank you for this video, it has been great for me!!

[@amanahmed6057]

bro can you guide me please

[@skydogfpv]

I needed this. I've never been more motivated for anything in my life and I'm determined to master this art and make this my life. Great video man I have invested so much of myself for this its not a hobby to me anymore its an art and theres only one way to get the shots we can achieve and thats fpv.

[@cinialvespow1054]

i want to get into it too, Finishing uni next year, and I'm debating if I should go straight into a job doing what I studied in uni or just go for it full time filmmaking

[@feryadsonemez6333]

Hey man how are u I hope you are doing fine can I ask did you succeed ? I am in college right now I will become electronic engineer 4 years later and my idea was building my own drone with my engineering degree and start a company that shots for tv series or movies how things are going for you Have you ever had hard times

[@skydogfpv]

@@feryadsonemez6333 I'm doing well! I am still as determined as ever, unfortunately success won't come overnight. I'm still hustling to make my presence known. I'm mostly focused on my local community rather than media presence. This may not be the best strategy but it's what I'm doing for now. I have no engineering or filming backgrounds outside of FPV this can be a set back but im not letting anything hold me back. I've been fortunate enough to work with some local producers to help me get where I am. I'm not quite at the level I want to be but I know some day I will be, this is my goal. Hope this helps and keep pushing yourself, you'll be amazed at what you can do!

[@marcuswhitemedia]

I have to say this is such an incredible and informative video, not only the info about drone work, but also just the general etiquette of being on set, I’ve been a stuntman for many years now, and just starting to move over to fpv, so I have a lot of on set experience, you were bang on with it all! Everyone getting involved with filming needs to watch this. Thank you ✌🏼

[@Fincky]

Thanks a lot man! Means a lot especially from someone with experience on set

[@hector-fpv]

This is some super valuable information, thank you very much for sharing this sir!!

[@Fincky]

Thanks! I was kind of tried of seeing people selling themselves short or missing out on opportunities for different reasons so I felt like sharing as many pointers as possible

[@leazyfpv5521]

Thanks for this video dude. Its absolutely what i need.

[@pedrodstc]

This is a great educational video. I’m a videographer since 2010 and started fpv 4 months ago. I have been practice every single sunny day and this is really hard, but inspiring. Love it! Learned so much with you and others, and this is the really beauty of fpv: sharing! Thank you so much, sir! You rock! Greetings from Portugal!

[@Fincky]

Thanks a lot :)

[@Burn377]

Practice in the Sim on rainy/windy days ;) helps alot with muscle memory.

[@lawnpilot5904]

Great vlog Fincky. I work as a creative contractor in the arts and all of this is spot on. A rule of thumb in choosing projects is you must have two out of three: artistic content, people you want to work with and money. Typically if two of those exist you will be happy in the end. Usually having the first two means more creative freedom, of course money is always part of the end game.

[@Fincky]

That rule of thumb is awesome! I guess I've kinda unconsciously based my choices on it but now I'll use it as a proper framework to choose projects!

[@VoxerArt]

This dude seem like like the nicest man on the earth. Great video! Thanks!!

[@flowstate_link]

Yep!!!

[@gcfpv6292]

I waited for a video like this, I want to look in too commercial work too. Thanks for the nice video.🙏

[@zzoloss]

BiiiiiG LiiiiiKe. You put a lot of points to look at. Great thanks. Wish you the best of luck.

[@EssexRc]

Fantastic video! I've been considering this for a while, been flying rc for over 15 years and fpv since the beginning. The being away from my kids for a long period of time is just something i couldn't do though. Maybe when they've flown the nest one day. Thank you for you words of wisdom 👊🏼

[@Fincky]

Thanks! Yeah it was super important for me to explain each and every aspect, I don't have kids yet but I know that I can't for a couple years at least exactly for that reason, once my business will be fully built (after 3 or 4 years of doing it) I'll consider it

[@EssexRc]

@@Fincky You are seemingly a very nice guy and with good integrity. I am sure when you're ready you'll make a great father. I have a friend here in the uk that is considering going commercial so maybe a joint venture. I need my pfco first and then will do as you suggested and contact established companies, perhaps with some sort of showreel. All in all, excellent job in painting a picture 👍🏼 Stay safe brother 👊🏼

[@patrick66058]

Nice video man! Thanks for al the information and sharing your knowledge in that side of the drone market. Being in the Vtol drone bussiness myself for more than a year right now it is actually an eye opener to me. The FPV drone market is growing bigger and bigger and becomming more important to bigger companies. As a assembly engineer of Vtol drone systems this is something really helpfull. Thanks!!

[@Fincky]

Glad I could help!

[@Lehanvander]

I am 15 and I would consider myself a Professional Pilot for racing freestyle and cinematic flying. I definitely needed this video because I have been struggling with where to go with what I have and can do. I don't know much about how to get work or how to negotiate or how to go about getting myself out there. Thanks so much for this.

[@Fincky]

Happy if it helped 😊

[@glenwalsh3]

Thanks so much that was amazing information. Will get my advanced drone license and start from there. Slow steps, side job, loving to fly drones.

[@laikonsky5494]

What a discovery you've made mate. Naaah I'll drop my work because everyday have a gig and the weather in UK is just awesome i can fly every day from dusk till down...... aaaaah please :) And will become a PRO FPV with a one racer!!!

[@definingslawek4731]

Are you being satirical about the weather being amazing everyday in the uk?

[@jelislav]

Very good presentation. It can be applied to almost any self-employed job.

[@duggerinc]

Couldn't have said it any better than that! It is my honest opinion that the odds are stacked against new pilots. The pros that are getting the work are so incredibly talented. The ammount of work, dedication and passion they have put in is immense. I have given this so much thought I'm sure I'm obsessed with it. Thanks for taking the time to make this vid, all the insights from behind the scenes is eye opening.

[@Fincky]

I think you might be right but there’s always space for newcomers who are ready to put out some great stuff. As comparison, when I started posting 2 years ago, most of the OG guys were well in place with over 50k subs already and I never thought I’d get to the 20k (which is less than half that) today. For jobs though, I’ve seen some interesting stories with a good set of five really good videos, things can go really really far! A great example of that is Andriu FPV on Instagram who had 3k followers on insta in September, had some great content he started posting and was instantly stacked with gig offer and now has over 200k with jobs coming his way regularly

[@Georgewrigley]

Brilliant. Thank You for taking the time to create this very helpful video. I'm currently at the moment trying to get noticed and work and get clients within this exciting career industry. I'm flying cinematic drones (DJI) to start with, but until now never really thought about FPV piloting to be honest. I've been flying totally for 5 years and FPV flying for at least 12 months. Still along way to go with FPV piloting, but yeah, definitely given me hope and inspiration watching your video. Thank you and stay safe and take care and I wish you all the success in the future. Thanks George. :)

[@Fincky]

Glad you found this video interesting!

[@halowalker797]

Heyy @Fincky ! So I`ve been flying for 5 years now and I think I got what it needs in terms of flying experience (, but I´m also still 17 so I can´t do this as a full-time job yet)... I´ve still got a few questions for you: 1. what kind of licenses would I need? Different countries different license? 2. How exactly do I start getting clients? What platforms could I offer myself on? What do you recommend? 3. How exactly would I approach a company? How do I know which ones to approach? 4. I don't have any prof. Fpv pilot friends... sooo could you pm w your experience of what to charge and what would make sense/ where do I have to be careful? 5. Is there anything else that would maybe even make sense to study? like photography or smthn in of the cinematic aspect? Thank you so much for the Info in your video! I am REALLY PASSIONATE about this hobby and hope to one day make a living w it as well... Thank you so so much! Happy Flying HaloWalker03

[@danielferdianto9852]

Thank you Fincky for a great content!! It's really helping for me as I'm start to do this fpv as a professional job

[@SkyCandyVisuals]

Thank you for this valuable information. I'm still working my day job (service tech) and doing side service tech jobs residentially. So I'm always busy with no time to build or fly. Not to mention I have two kids and a wife that demand attention. I aspire to be where you are and I would do exactly this. Share the knowledge. Really valuable info here and its appreciated. Thx!

[@bandobandit353]

Pre-production on a film project is like designing a big puzzle where that FPV shot is one piece. If you change you FPV shot on the day it affects the puzzle pieces surrounding your piece. The director and producer(s) need to think about the whole puzzle, so get them the puzzle piece they want first and then think about redesigning the puzzle. It's cheaper to design the puzzle in pre-production than on set when you're paying so many people and hiring gear.

[@Fincky]

Exactly! This is the perfect explanation of why you should always cater their needs first and that there's a reason being everything we get asked to do! Having been on the other side of the puzzle-making as a creative and more recently a director, sometimes you just can't move pieces and you just want one thing. Luckily for me, a lot of guys I work with do stuff where they need a lot of material to allow them more room in the edit with really complex edits from tons of sources and these are the ones that end up pushing me to do the craziest stuff and come up with my own shots

[@TERBANGFPV]

very good information.. thanks for sharing.. some of us with no experience will need to watch your vid..

[@Fincky]

Happy to help!

[@gre-vo]

When negotiating video (hand held) projects, I found it helps to itemize your expenses, so then the sticker shock is demystified for the client. Always add more (if you feel like you’re at that level of bargaining) the potential client can talk you down but at the expense of losing something that they’re aware of. Also doing your first few gigs (from my experience) as you’re figuring out your businesses worth, can be done pro bono or at heavily reduced rate. More than likely if you do a good job on that gig, word of mouth and repeat customers will follow.

[@gre-vo]

Great and informative video Btw, this and Nurks new podcast are a really nice insight into the industry.

[@Fincky]

I agree for itemizing stuff! Something I say Piloting : (price), gear rental: (price), stabilizing: (price). However, I really really don't recommend doing anything pro bono, a lot of hand held and other professionals have told me that if you do that, you'll never get called on serious project, it also gives a false idea of the value of the work for FPV (that we are still building today). Discounting is ok as long as you let them know that this is some crazy discount and it won't be like that in the future

[@SyncFPV]

thanks for all you do Fincky, good information here!

[@ANDYCOSER]

Great video! Thank you for that! These are very precious advises that everyone need to learn by themself. I'm also pleased to know that sometimes happens to you to have your hands shaking when making something never done before... And you really don't know what could go wrong.

[@Fincky]

Haha! I always get the shakes! My friends say that I'm kinda "physically involved" in my flights I move around, different part of my body get all tensed, my head moves around, I'm all over the place :D

[@raymondwilliams6878]

Always appreciate your breakdown of the 'business'! Very useful information from someone really doing it! Thanks!

[@ThatFlyinRyan]

i would have to say this watch is spot on especially the NO Part !!!!!

[@Fincky]

Thanks!

[@mdb7]

Merci pour ce top contenu ! J'ai commencé à me lancer dans l'aventure, c'est super encourageant !

[@MavenFPV]

Interesting listening. I thought I will listen 5min when I saw it has over 30min but somehow it happened I listened till the end of the video. And don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely not interested making money out of fpv. I barely fly these days..... I know you since you were nobody and now it’s just interesting to see how you transormed. Good luck going forward!

[@Fincky]

Thanks a lot! I was a bit self conscious about coming out with a video that long that I debated making it a four-part video series but eventually decided to do the one and tried to make it a bit interesting with the edit. So by you telling me that, I’ve achieved one of my goals for this video. Thanks for the continuous support, really appreciate it

[@archer4922]

Great info! I use the same things for my dj gigs. I really should apply that to Fpv and start filming more.

[@Fincky]

Yeah, I've realised while editing that this could actually be applied to a big chunk of the entertainment industry!

[@archer4922]

Fincky definitely. Some of the ppl I follow on Instagram gave me ideas for flying an hd whoop thru weddings. I just don’t have a hd whoop right now lol.

[@MIKEYDREADFPV]

Its really interesting how simular the process is to my job in exebitions, the travelling, the inconsistency of work, the communication with others around you. one thing that defines if you can do your job is how you deal with flying under pressure, i can fly qwads just fine until i am in a freestyle comp for example, i get the shakes to the point were it ruins my flying and i dont have the ability to be calm in that situation, thats why i couldnt do your job. Its been great following your journey and i wish you a great future in your work👍😀

[@Fincky]

It's interesting how much it can transfer to other jobs! I never thought of it before making that video! Looks like if things don't work out, my options are not as narrow as I thought they were 😆

[@MIKEYDREADFPV]

@@Fincky hahaaa

[@MagicFPV]

This is absolute GOLD! Thanks so much, I watched the whole thing. You’d be surprised how incredibly similar this is to the events and entertainment industry... My job is a professional magician (well until recently 🦠 😩) and I have been in many similar scenarios to what you explain in this video. As soon as I can afford the backup fleet I hope to join you as a fellow FPV pro... I’ve already got the years of experience flying and creating content, and of course the PASSION! Hope we can work together one day 😊 👍👍👍

[@Fincky]

It's really interesting to see how many people are telling me this! Yes I think it does transfer to a lot of other jobs, it's essentially a freelancer job so that's the main reason

[@kowabungafpv]

Thanks for sharing. Super interesting!

[@justin555666]

There's definitely great info in this video, but personally, if I watched this before my first gig, I don't know that I would've even left my house. Here's a list for those of you like me: 1. Get at least 2 drones-a cinewhoop and 5" quad (tons of batteries) 2. Get at least 1 GoPro and mounts for both drones 3. Practice filming a bunch and review your footage each time 4. Find a small budget gig and do it for cheap/free 5. Prep your gear a day or 2 before 6. Do your best to give them more than they paid for 7. Start over at #3 and increase your rate

[@Fincky]

Just trying to describe the ideal scenario and what it takes to be bulletproof and worry-free on set. You make some good points but I can't agree all of them like the number of minimum quads or cameras (you need at least one back up for whatever will be the most important like 5 inch), definitely not about doing things for free (for cheap, depends how cheap and if people are aware they're getting a discount) but a smaller budget gig is good to start for sure, personal projects are also here to test things and figure that out. Now if people don't have that, they can definitely go with less but there's a bigger chance for people to get stuck if something goes wrong and then potentially loose a client or impact their reputation

[@justin555666]

@@Fincky Yes, free work really depends on the gig. I wouldn't do more than couple free things for your portfolio. And it should be for friends, family, or a noble cause-not some cheapo's music video. Point is start small and ramp up. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

[@justin555666]

@@Fincky Also, you're definitely right that having more backups is better, but people just starting out might not be able to afford 5 drones. I suggested a cinewhoop and 5", but maybe it makes more sense to just have 2 cinewhoops or 2 5" quads. Depends on the gig and the pilot. I would agree though that after getting paid for the first couple jobs, best thing to do is get backup gear.

[@truefpvblood158]

Best informative video ever👊👊😎 I've been looking down this route for a bit.... Finally goin for my professional license.... I greatly appreciate this vid! It gives confidence and reality.... And lets me know I've got the right mindset and didn't even know it! Thank you so much👊👊😎

[@Fincky]

Happy it can help you, good luck on the license, that's the very first step of an exciting journey

[@VerJanFPV]

Thanks man! Great info and fun to watch, hope we can catch another beer this year somewhere on this rock.

[@Fincky]

Hope so too!

[@David__]

Great advice! Thanks for sharing :)

[@Free_3.0]

Great video from start to finish. Well put together. Great information.

[@Fincky]

Thanks a lot! Put a lot of thinking into this and it's a subject that's very dear to me so I wanted to do it right

[@elevateservices6115]

This is great insight

[@MrKane1173]

Super helpful video. Thanks for posting.

[@lucapuerari5006]

Thanks for your sharing! It’s pure Gold.

[@sandersassen]

Well done Fincky! Now I can point people to this video when they see me flying on a job and figure they want to do this for a living too!

[@Fincky]

You're welcome 😆

[@flowstate_link]

@@Fincky super duper!!!

[@yardsalefpv]

Thank you for this content. This is very helpful, even beyond FPV. I found the insights into "on set" etiquette to be particularly useful. Keep up the great work Fincky!

[@alexandereckhardt7153]

Thank you so much for this video!!!

[@Fincky]

You're welcome

[@Burn377]

I'm an abattoir knife hand, it pays pretty well and I've been flying for a bit over a year now. Hoping in the next year I'm confident enough in my ability to put together some demo reels to approach local real-estate agents to do fly through tours of property :) thanks for sharing your experience!

[@Fincky]

Best of luck man!

[@flyingjunkies]

I recommend film school so you can learn to compose shots because you're essentially flying a Crane Camera aka a Jib. Also a Passport is a must as most serious Drone Companies will make you travel. You should learn to build Drones so you can repair them! Happy Flying Kids.

[@ricklancaster2218]

You don’t need film school to learn how to frame

[@Berber1337]

very informative thank you so much for sharing this keep up the good work ✌️

[@campXph]

I plan to do this also! Love your input gotta be fair to every fpv pilots

[@Fincky]

Best of luck to you sir!

[@dchouvin]

Au top Fincky. Very interesting has always!!

[@MattyfleischFPV]

Thank you so much for putting this together. Incredibly insightful, and helpful!!!

[@Fincky]

Cheers!

[@YellowEmperor16]

Awesome man very inspiring thanks dude!!

[@vilvfpv8088]

Amazing Tips. thanks Fincky..

[@RTKdarling]

Great video! I get these questions a lot, I'll be referring people to this for sure. I actually reached out to you on FB about this topic, I knew I couldn't be the only one. Thanks for everything you do for the community, keep flying! 🤙🏽

[@Fincky]

No problem man! Hope it answered all the questions you may have :)

[@sadboyfpv]

This was so helpful. Thank you!!

[@kristenmoon9964]

Your comment about radiowaves not going through concrete buildings gave me a bit of an idea. How nice would it be if someone comes up with some wifi / signal extenders you could put somewhere discretely inside of the building so that if a shot did make you have to go from outside into a 'concrete building' you would have a more stable signal, at least for a bit. Kinda like cellphones, hopping from tower to tower. Prob a dumb thought, but it'd be a nice and easier fix.

[@lavachemist]

Someone should start an anonymized but verified repository of the average rates for drone pilots. For instance, the high, low and median rates for a region. If it was done properly and by a trusted source it could be good for everyone.

[@Choconuez84]

Man, thank you so much for this video. It's very insightful, and it has helped me realize that for me, at least for now, the cons still outweigh the pros. Maybe in the future, if there is still a market for this thing. I'll keep enjoying your content in the meantime :)

[@seandolan]

Great video man 😎 “people don’t like to work with assholes” 😁 Thanks for the insight. I’m looking into hopefully doing side jobs soon. Really great content. Going on a shoot with you would be a dream vacation 😁 if your ever in the Midwest 😎✌️❤️

[@Fincky]

Thanks! Haha! Yeah sometimes, even if it's stating the obvious, I felt like it could be useful as a reminder for some people. I hope you'll find it useful and you can track my whereabouts on my insta stories at @benoitfinck, if you see that I'm close to your area at some point feel free to let me know 😉

[@GeordieMilne]

Great communication! very comprehensive!

[@Fincky]

Thanks!

[@MrFoulksy]

Amazing video and great honesty.

[@owencroney2089]

really insightfull and interesting vid Fincky, lots of great advice, thanks for shareing! stay safe!

[@prottentogo]

Regarding helping people out on set: Yes, but don't just show up and try to help someone with their stuff. Ask if you can help. They might want to do it on their own because you don't know their way of working or might just want to make sure that their job won't come obsolete when others also can do it, you know. /edit: Also because there's a lot of unfamiliar gear on set that you as someone not from that department really should not touch, like at all. Moving simple tables is on a different category, but even then...

[@Fincky]

Yeah, there's no point in being the biggest eager beaver, it's more like, if you have to do something or you see something that can be done just offer help

[@d.mack.]

Thanks for the info! 👏👏

[@IVAN_ENT]

cheers man much appreciated

[@Fincky]

Welcome!

[@rollzeefpv3667]

Inspiring and helpful advise bro ! Been starting to get some small projects thrown my way. Was unsure on some things and this has really helped

[@Fincky]

Good job man! Hope this will help you to navigate this tough business

[@rollzeefpv3667]

definitely has helped already, it’s given me some more goals and ideas of what gear I need to build and have ready. Once I can get back to my day job I can continue to build my quads 😂 for now it’s just freestyle time ! Also are you gonna be build a 85x stripped gopro build ? Look like such a great tool

[@otmedia6500]

Great watch!! Hope you get back out flying soon!

[@Fincky]

Hope so too!

[@epp1026del]

Very thorough. And that’s why your good at your job Great vid too

[@Fincky]

Thanks a lot! I've been thinking about this a lot

[@cinialvespow1054]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! also please more pro content would be appreciated

[@MehmetORHAN_ELT]

Very nice and sincere advices, thanks

[@jrock7859]

Great video, stay safe!

[@lfmhfernadomoran]

thanks, it would be a dream ...

[@ThatFlyinRyan]

Keep them coming man 💯

[@Fincky]

Thanks for the support!

[@fabriceviguier5274]

un bon résumé du live avec Airflex et TomZ, tu as tout à fait raison en particulier pour le job/passion, faire très attention à ne pas aller trop vite de la passion au job, cela peut-être destructeur... Merci Fincky pour tes paroles réfléchies pleines de discernement et de sagesse ! ⚡️👌🏽🙏🏼

[@Fincky]

Exactement, l'idée était de faire une version en anglais en suivant le plan que j'avais écrit pour le live avec Tomz et Airflex, j'espère qu'il y a quand même de nouvelles infos intéressantes à prendre 😊

[@fabriceviguier5274]

@@Fincky yes ! tu précises bien ton point de vue et je me retrouve dans tes conseils et expériences pour les avoir vécus, une mine d'or pour ceux qui veulent se lancer ! au plaisir de se croiser, je débute en FPV et je kif grave, ma passion pour le drone à clairement pris un coup de boost et j'ai la chance de pouvoir faire mes premiers test en prod semaine prochaine, keep it flying !

[@Fincky]

@@fabriceviguier5274 Ouais j'ai cru voir ça sur facebook! Bonne chance du coup! Ça peut être beaucoup si tu débute mais tu verras bien en faisant

[@fabriceviguier5274]

@@Fincky beaucoup "stressant" j'imagine ? :D

[@pylot8187]

You have great work ethics. Thanks for the video!

[@Fincky]

And thank you for watching

[@BeaveBallin7]

These are some great tips! Do you have any resources on your channel or elsewhere that has tips for traveling with FPV gear? More specifically flying on airplanes and how to store batteries, your drone, etc? I'm planning a trip to both Iceland and Thailand in 2021 and I would LOVE to take my 5" out there but I'm worried about all the regulations!

[@Fincky]

Steele did a video about this and I think Le Drib too. Jjust type "drone batteries on plane" or something in the search bar and you should find everything you need

[@jkspinalchoice]

Excellent video! You have another follower. Interested in purchasing a system to use indoors for my real estate business. I have been flying dji phantoms and mavics for 5 years. I would like to add FPV technology to my business. What drone / goggle set up should I purchase for the best cinematic video in homes?

[@WillHsuAerial]

Hey! Thank you !

[@JcMedia_]

Very strong video 💪🔥

[@laba-fpv3578]

How do you see the Remote ID rules impacting your business of FPV?

[@expressioninmotion3157]

Really nice content, thank you so much, you do a great job, and the information you provide us is very useful indeed. You have my thanks and my esteem ! Unfortunately I have a very small budget, but I'm trying to do my best, it will only take a lot of patience, but I hope to be able to get closer to the goal in a few years, I have been driving for 1 year, I still have a world of things to learn (including spoken english 😅) I live in Italy and I hope that in a few years we will see each other, and maybe I could even host you if you happen to work in the area ! Bye bye !

[@fr3style]

On Scout days I usualy tell the customer if they want the footage that they can have it but with a watermark on. I have had people hire me for just scounting and then using that footage later.

[@Fincky]

Wow that sucks! Super shady for them to do that! I actually don’t fly or film on scout days and if I have to, I make sure it counts as a flying day with normal day rate

[@fr3style]

@@Fincky So when will you come visit me in portugal? So sad we did not meet up when i went to paris. Peace @4dase

[@recepkarayanik]

Thanks 👍

[@ariafpv]

Really good video, very informative👍

[@Fincky]

Thanks

[@cazafpv8312]

Plus de behind the scenes ça serait cool

[@Fincky]

Ouais! C'est ce que j'avais prévu pour cette année mais... ça bosse pas beaucoup avec le virus. Après c'est aussi compliqué, dans beaucoup de tournages les mecs veulent pas forcément que tu te promène avec une caméra et filme tout

[@supaflifpv7268]

Did you do the giant bikes advert?

[@Fincky]

Yes I did! Even edited a little video with it :)

[@samy_yu]

очень полезно, друг! спасибо тебе.

[@mike_aviafan]

Its all true for photography (not drones), but in Russia a lot of cheapest photographers who want work for penny or free of charge (for example - aviation photography or cinema/movie photography, i mean film-making process photos). In drones customers focus on photographers and do not want to pay enough :). Often don 't look at the portfolio and they don 't care for how much technique you have :) (again about photography). But i think this situation is in all world.

[@Syncopad]

Production Story time !!!

[@Fincky]

Yes sir!

[@Syncopad]

@@Fincky what i meant is i want to hear the horror stories ^^ got a bunch my self

[@Ender_FPV]

Bangin!

[@outboxfpv4360]

NIce one. I you are flying a cinewhoop outdoor then to indoor what will be ur setting? Will you use ND filter?

[@Wattanamao]

Appreciate

[@melvinshue8384]

How does licensing work on an international level? In the US we have the FAA, they provide a drone pilot license. What happens when I go to Canada, Europe, Australia, Ghana, etc?

[@nes.torfernandez]

Great video man not to much content about it here. The money subject is very complicated I’ve been done a few jobs for drifting events only and to be honest I don’t think I’ve been charged what it should be charge. But I don’t know any professional pilot, I’m a photographer and most of my jobs with FPV is with people what I’ve been working before as photographer.

[@Fincky]

Yeah money is always complicated and drifting events are usually super broke cause everyone is spending all there money on their cars and tires 😆Try to figure out how much an established company is charging for one an Inspire 2 (piloting and gear rental) and you should have a good benchmark. If you don't know any, just pretend you are a client looking for that for your business and get a quote from them ;)

[@supaflifpv7268]

Bonjour fincky from the uk

[@Fincky]

Bonjour monsieur 🎩

[@TheDansindan]

I spy a Stan FPV Cine-Bird 360 on your wall there... ;) Have you started using it in projects yet?

[@flowstate_link]

Come-bird yep had my eye on his frame / BNF!

[@johnnyb8629]

how does the billing work? when you get a call for a gig, do you get your travel expenses up front or do you bill it? whats your experience with billing, do these companies pay 30 days 90? what is a rough estimate of your initial investment? Im thinking like 50 grand? less? I just read Hollywood drone operators win recognition as camera operators, how does this help this field of work? does this give you access to a guild or union?

[@Fincky]

Well, usually for travel expenses (this is a great question as I forgot to mention it in the video and that's pretty important), all travel expenses have to be paid upfront by the company hiring me. Which means, they book the travel tickets, the hotels and all that, I usually bill them for food after or tried to get what is called "per diem". That way, even if they don't pay me I'm not a couple thousands euros in already. For billing, it depends on the project, but basically, when the project goes over 10k I ask them to pay half upfront. I get most of my clients to pay within 30 days (French law is helping for that) but sometimes I have to remind them^^ It's hard to know how much I invested exactly over the years, but I'm guessing it's several tens of thousands but probably less than 50k. The recognition a cam op is great! Tat'll give access to unions even though we don't have the same "needs" as a steadicam op for example but it's great

[@johnnyb8629]

@@Fincky thanks, cool, sounds about right. I work in commercial HVAC and many times I have to work out of town and they give us a per diem of 30 or 40$ per day, (which sucks) and they set up our hotels and all that. for what you do I can imagine travel expenses would be huge. My interest isn't so much I think I'm going to change careers but both my daughters are going to college for different parts of film industry, one is post production other is animation and I think it would help them if they had some extra skills like drone operating. Im getting my first one in a few weeks and I hope to teach them or get them interested and maybe I could get them into it.

[@attackemartin]

as if you did the video for me. I have a side business since years, so I know the tax and business side of things. I do have my licenses. Already had one paid gig. By chance I guess. For a german rap video (funny thing is they saw your video and wanted something like that) I'm currently struggling at finding clients tbh. Not doing much against it atm either, so would you recommend sending cold acquisition to production companies around where I live? And I think I don't have enough good showreel stuff to show. So would you recommend trying to make a clip for own usage as showreel for free for some people/companies? In general: Thanks for being such a great inspiration!

[@Fincky]

Oh that's cool! I personally don't even have a showreel, my showreel is basically instagram so when they ask me for one I just send my instagram and they can pick and choose what they like among the 200 something one shot videos I have on there. So I'd say, having a good, clean instagram that people can navigate and pick the perfect 3 clips that they like to show their clients is really good. A showreel can be interesting too. However, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER accept doing anything for free for anyone else but you or some cool collab with other artists/athletes, especially not for a production company! It will undervalue your work and they'll always see you as something cheap they can get, even if it's gonna make your entire showreel. I got that advice from tons and tons of experienced videographers on different sides of the world.

[@attackemartin]

@@Fincky wouldn't do! But what about, like a Car seller in my town who just happen to have a cool looking showroom and I would love to cinewhoop through that to have another cool showreel clip? That's what the question was pointing to. Should I do some of these not-really-gigs to have some cool clips to show, for free (or for whatever I could get from them). Because basically it would be a quid pro quo I guess. What do you think?

[@420fpv8]

Yo fincky, nice info thanks a lot. Speaking to guys in Scotland they seem to think no one needs Fpv pilots for work, my argument is that no one has asked. If you were in a place no one was asking for Fpv work, how would you promote your business or who would you approach for work? Thanks a lot bro 💚

[@Fincky]

Great question! I'd approach directors directly then, people that do cool stuff that you like and do awesome project that can't be ignored. Unfortunately trying to convince people that they need FPV is like describing colors to a blind person to me. I was pretty much in the same position when I started, the scene was not there yet, so I just went and did my thing elsewhere, came up with my own projects and made people regret they hadn't snatched me when I first talked to them later on ;)

[@420fpv8]

Fincky Thanks a lot man, I thought the answer may be something like that. A lot of guys here seem to think there’s no chance but I don’t think any of them have been out and asked the question. I think the guys who need Fpv don’t know it yet, convincing them now may be a little easier than when you tried, since we have your work for reference now 😅. Thanks again man, always appreciated 👊🏼

[@Fincky]

@@420fpv8 haha! It's true though! The more people are working, the easier it is gonna be to get jobs (as opposed to what most people think)

[@cinialvespow1054]

a little pouch for each battery? Where do i get such pouches?