HOW TO MAKE BORING DRONE SHOTS LOOK EPIC!!

Featured In This Video
***********************
🔥 Drone Cinematography Masterclass 3.0: bit.ly/drone-masterclass-3
🔥 Drone Cinematography Crash Course: bit.ly/crash-course-yt
➡️ Motion Blur Plugin For FCPX: bit.ly/motion-blur-plugin
🎵 Epidemic Sound: bit.ly/dfg-epidemic-sound
✅ Filmora 11: bit.ly/filmora-dfg
OUR FREE RESOURCES
*************************
FREE eBook: From Drone Zero To Drone Hero: bit.ly/free-ebook-37-tips
→ Our beautiful 40 page eBook with 37 tips to get you flying like a filmmaker!
→ Over 100,000 copies downloaded! ❤️
FREE Drone Comparison Chart: bit.ly/drone-comparison-chart
→ Handy chart comparing 11 DJI drones to help inform your purchasing decisions.
FREE eBook: Video Editing Software Guide: bit.ly/editing-guide-yt
→ Our 20 page eBook will help you with your video editing software choice.
FREE Guide: The Creator's Cheat Sheet: bit.ly/creators-cheat-sheet
→ Learn the 10 building blocks of professional cinematography.
→ Stunning results with ANY camera!
FREE Insta360 Camera Comparison Chart: bit.ly/insta360-comparison
→ Handy chart comparing Insta360's range of cameras.
OUR COURSES
****************
Drone Cinematography Masterclass 3.0: bit.ly/drone-masterclass-3 ($50 discount!) ❤️
→ 9 hours of aerial cinema tuition from KZbin's leading educators filmed in the incomparable Scottish Highlands...aka. drone paradise!
Drone Cinematography Crash Course: bit.ly/crash-course-yt ($20 discount!)
→ A 100 minute, intensive aerial education for beginners and intermediates.
Drone Film Grades LUT Pack: bit.ly/dfg-luts ($20 discount!)
→ Our carefully curated LUT pack + FREE 50 minute colour grading tuition.
OUR FAVOURITE SOFTWARE
******************************
Luminar Neo: bit.ly/luminarneo-dfg
→ Essential photo editing software.
→ Use “DRONE10” at checkout for $10/€10 discount on annual subscription.
Epidemic Sound: bit.ly/dfg-epidemic-sound ❤️
→ Easily the best source of royalty-free music for content creators.
Filmora 12: bit.ly/filmora-dfg
→ Best video editing software for beginners and intermediates.
MTracker 3D: bit.ly/motionvfx-dfg
→ Incredible one-click motion tracking upgrade for FCPX.
→ Use “S&ATRACKER” at checkout for 15% discount.
MotionVFX Plugins for FCPX/Premiere/DaVinci: bit.ly/motionvfxsa
→ Best quality plugins you will find online.
→ Use “STEWART&ALINA” at checkout for 15% discount.
ESSENTIAL FILMMAKING GEAR
**********************************
DJI Mic: amzn.to/3vvxCeH (essential! ❤️)
Rode Wireless Go 2: amzn.to/3Ca7GZn
DJI Osmo Action Mini Tripod: amzn.to/3ydzGbH
DJI Magnetic Ball Joint Adapter: amzn.to/3SLwjBo
PowerDeWise Lavalier Mic: amzn.to/3umn7Ki
Shure MVL Lavalier Mic: amzn.to/34XtF83
Anker Power Bank: amzn.to/3Xehz14 (can’t live without these! ❤️)
Sandisk MicroSD Cards: amzn.to/3OmErYp
Sandisk Extreme External SSD: amzn.to/3OwUQJS (perfect for travel)
WD Elements My Passport HDD: amzn.to/3rsCZcm (best value external storage)
SD Card Wallet: amzn.to/3AuFQGj
Ulanzi Travel Tripod: bit.ly/3TWHqI0
Ulanzi Backpack Camera Clip: bit.ly/3VfuZIv
Peak Design Backpack Camera Clip: amzn.to/3Vg10QK
Manfrotto Mini Tripod: amzn.to/3U0AM3w
Smartphone Tripod Mount: amzn.to/3EQ790o
Insta360 X3: bit.ly/insta360-x3
DJI Osmo Action 3: amzn.to/3ENdgTl
DJI Mini 3 Pro: amzn.to/3LVIrO0 (DJI's finest moment? ❤️)
DJI Avata: amzn.to/3BYjJrJ (the most fun you can have with a drone!)
DJI Mavic 3 Classic: amzn.to/3OtI6nk
Freewell ND Filters: amzn.to/3c07WQp (essential for that cinematic motion blur! ❤️)
BUSINESS CONTACT
**********************
✉️ [e-mail]

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Hey folks! I've put the link to the FCPX motion blur plugin in the description above. If anyone has motion blur suggestions for other video editing software please feel free to share!

[@davebutler3905]

Davinci Resolve... kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaeQgoOKa8lpbZY

[@flywithrichard7801]

If anyone has for Luma fusion please share.

[@SweetZaby]

@@flywithrichard7801 Me too!

[@vinzaputra]

Premiere anyone?

[@forthair]

Is the title you use at the end of the video (the DFG title with the border and kinda frosted background) an FCPX built-in title or is it part of an add-on?

[@user-ik8vy1rg8f]

1. Use speed ramp in your editor 2. Framing a shot then flying backwards then reversing the shot can help you get a more polished shot. 3. Add motion blur for that extra polish to sell the fast movement.

[@KarlRock]

Thanks mate! This is what I was looking for

[@therealroga]

Another brilliant vid, you really know what you are doing. Results are stunning and really work well. Props to you.

[@PapaBearExplores]

My thanks to you Stewart for your tutorials - I have learned a great deal from them as a beginner creator.

[@FootprintPhoto]

Only the other day a client asked me whether we could speed up a central portion of a long shot on a construction site - now we can ! Synchronicity working at its best - thanks guys!

[@tjjones2907]

As usual, great info, intelligently and cleanly explained.

[@vfr-andy3133]

Legend, thank you for this. Really helps a lot.

[@davebutler3905]

Thanks Stewart! Great tips brilliantly explained.

[@AndyRenk]

Love this stuff Stewart!

[@andrewgdavies]

I’ve only recently found your channel but the content and style of your videos is spot on. I will defo be checking out the paid courses. Keep up the good work

[@captraykelly]

Great tip, Stewart. I usually use slow motion feature but will now start using speed up feature. Fly safe.

[@jwest9155]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks

[@flywithrichard7801]

As usual very useful. Thanks!

[@ycycoming]

Thanks for that. This is exactly what I want!

[@jnoreman]

Thank you. I appreciate the knowledge that you share.

[@The_Idea_of_Dream_Vision]

Loved this. Great work.

[@ugurkibarer]

Awesome brother thank you so much !

[@Lordvader330]

I learned this is the master class its my go to to make videos interesting.

[@heyoBRAVO]

Very cool tutorial. Thank you!

[@bySterling]

Awesome tips! 🙌🏻

[@RonaldBrown59]

Another great tutorial, this tip can really help improve your drone video's. Thanks for sharing.

[@-hastatus-]

wow Stewart, this is an amazing guide

[@day1tech]

the blur FX gave me an idea thanks

[@DannerCronise]

Been looking for something like this! So excited for that free motion blur plugin! Just picked up some ND filters for my mini 2 and excited to take my drone footage to the next level.

[@ijspaardbaryounity3002]

Very helpfull tutorial, thankyou and keep up the good work

[@davidthompson3136]

Great tips. Thanks for posting. 👍😎🇳🇿

[@ExploringNS]

Thanks again for the advice, I'm still picking away at your E-Book..Cheers

[@edgworth]

Having lost interest in what i can do with a flight time of just 10 mins on my Spark i just threw some cash at a Mavic Air 2. I only ever concentrated on stills with the Spark but your tutorials really have got me more confident about making some great cine videos. I cant wait to put some of your techniques into practice. Thanks Guys!

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Fantastic!

[@jtorrescr]

Very nice video! Thank you

[@adammelvin4753]

No one wants to watch my 90 second rise into the air, followed by an extra slow rotation? Damn. I best up my game 😂 joking aside, always look forward to your videos, thank you

[@droneriobr]

Awesome. Very usefull. I'll try it.

[@jimferry3509]

I am a beginner and use Filmora Pro, it was cheap and I found it pretty intuitive. I made my first video in around a one hour. It sucked, but I did render it.

[@zachgeiger49]

Great demo

[@Lowbattery_fpv]

You good man !

[@greatnorthernviews3052]

You really know how to explain things.

[@djbis]

I love that this man is teaching us PRINCIPLES, and not just commands for a specific software.

[@MichalOlender]

Good tips!

[@PhantomandtheDrone]

Some great shots, and great use of speed settings!👍.... I never actually know if I should fly a shot quicker, or just take the time for smoothness? Mostly I get wrapped up in the enjoyment of the flight and find I haven't done either 😂

[@raffica93]

10/10 can relate

[@lindsayheyes925]

Really good. FCP does make it much easier to achieve. You've always been good, but your example clips leading into your videos just get better and better - but never make me feel that the skill level is completely unreachable. There is an art in that alone (especially if you knew my skills gap). 🤣🤣🤣

[@eyeintheskiesdavid9277]

Absolutely amazing tips and information about making a great video for people like me thanks for sharing bud really enjoyed it big like from me bud 😎👍👍👍

[@Up2stndrd]

Title drew us in Scottish accent kept us here ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@droneverse1203]

Amazing

[@spikerjedi]

Another top video 🤘🏻🤘🏻 just one question...do you covert h.264, h.265 codecs that drones film in, into say DNx or proRes et al for editing? I find h.264/265 is so laggy and choppy even on a good pc.

[@matiasacevedob]

excelent ideas

[@jensisbak]

Just found this channel - awesome StuffIt and well put together😀 How exactly do you outline yourself when you are talking from the bottom during the demo?

[@barneykennett9282]

Nice...👍.

[@MrDevantex21]

Do you use ND filters on all of your drone shots? I just got the mini 2 and I’m trying to figure out how I can make my shots even better.

[@bnoll712]

Nice Job. Quick question... does it matter if your filming in 30fps or 60fps? I normally shoot in 60fps at 2.7K.

[@DanHowells19]

Another great video, May be tempted to leave adobe premier pro after watching this! :P

[@aljaz55]

Premiere also has speed ramps, which are even better - you can control also transition settings. A bit more complex, and more functionality 👌

[@AndreRees]

@@aljaz55 I find premiere pro much more unstable then fcpx and the magnetic time line in fcpx just works so good, speeds up work flow. I used both extensively for a few years and realised for the work I do fcpx is incredible for my workflow

[@ShaneBaker]

Thanks Stewart. There's always one more thing to learn about in FCP! I was expecting to see a very manual process - not shift-R! :-)

[@rickybritton7212]

As Always Fantastic, your amazing I always learn something that is very helpful, Thank you, Your always giving back, are Heavenly Father will bless you and your Business. Thank you, Sincerely your friend from MO Rick, God Bless you and your family

[@craigbeuker7636]

I think drone shots can not be boring in general :D anyway video was interesting!

[@DANMCMAHON08]

What frame rate on drone best for this on what timeline to export you recommend ?

[@j4nch]

If I may: By showing everything on FCP, you only include mac users(17% of users , with premiere, you would at least allow to everyone to follow your instructions.

[@j4nch]

I would be interested in your master class by the way, but is it possible to know if you are showing everything with a software available on windows?

[@cervellimatteo]

Best way to add motion blur like final cut plugin in premiere pro?

[@GordieK]

nice - I always work on the basis of 3 second clips and do the speed up stuff as well but i tend to use transitions between the clips as well .... I just use Imovie for my stuff so sadly that motion blur plugin not available (I dont think).

[@TheSkyHighFilms]

Good tutorial! :) But I would disagree about nobody wanting to watch 60sec drone shots. If the shot has a lot going on in it then a 60s one shot becomes exciting and interesting to watch. Not mentioning the fact that it’s very impressive if someone can hold a combined motion shot for that long. Yes, if it’s a one dimensional forwards flight then I agree, but if you add motions and combine them then it’s a whole new world. :)

[@alexeez1]

Im not getting the grey bars when applying a speed change. Any ideas? not sure what I am doing wrong.

[@ahmedkarma404]

If I have Luminar AI (1 Seat) and I am thinking to upgrade my computer device. Can I still use the same product in my new computer or I have to purchase Luminar AI again? THANKS

[@davidmackinnon2968]

Thanks Stewart. Will you have any videos located in isle of skye?

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Afraid not. The one time we were there it rained solid for 2 days!

[@samibrydan9467]

i love your turotorial so mush , and i wish that i can have a corse for cinamatic drone video

[@aravindov]

How to use that motion blur plugin in premiere pro? Please help

[@PrairieSkyDrones]

Great information. What would you suggest the minimum and maximum clip lengths should be when doing cinematic videos? I've to keep my clips under 8 sec but find that many are still closer to 15sec because of the drone maneuver and shot. Do I cut those down too or leave the longer clips in because of the shot?

[@DroneFilmGuide]

It's hard to say. For an awesome intro shot with some text coming up on the screen then 10s plus is fine. For a 'standard' cinematic shot, probably 2-10 seconds. Also, if there are lots of new elements being revealed during the shot then of course, let the shot run. Also, it depends hugely on the audience. Here on YT, we have to grab your attention quickly so in the recent montages we've had at the start of videos, the shots have been around 2 seconds long - hence the need for lots of time remapping. The need for short shots has certainly influenced the way I fly though because I know that if a tilt up or a rotation is taking too long then I'll either need to fix it in post or re-fly the manoeuvre quicker.

[@PrairieSkyDrones]

@@DroneFilmGuide appreciate your feedback. This is great advice.

[@GreenBeltTrails]

Thanks Stewart! What a great little tutorial! This is exactly what i needed to make my long drone shots short and epic !

[@kippmajors]

Shortcut cmb+b to autocut and add retime at same time

[@MikeGeyer]

Good one. Oh how I wish Filmora X had better support for smooth time ramps up/down.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

I have filmora and it’s good.

[@Pedrowfr]

How to do this motion blur effect with premiere pro ?

[@matthewwalters1175]

Great tip and Well Done Scotland (how are you sober 🤔). Do you know if you can speed ramp in Lumafusion?

[@davebutler3905]

This might work... Make multiple cuts in your clip and speed each one up and down again progressively. 8 cut example: X1 X2 X4 X8 X16 X8 X4 X2 X1

[@pedropiedra5]

Is that Las Negras in the video with the bike?

[@gimbalair]

You're my goto guru for advice Stewart and whilst I am getting better and the 'cinematic' drone shots, I fear the incorrect and overuse of transitions in edit my ruin the makings of a good film short. Can you put together a tutorial vid for us novices on how to and how not to use transitions for the best effect. Thanks. My channel can be viewed and you can critique as you see fit to illustrate whats good and bad, I wont be offended!

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Glad to still have you with us! That's a good idea about transitions. 99% of our transitions are either simple cuts to the music (i.e. no transition) or the occasional cross dissolve or fade to black.

[@ianlangshaw5109]

Is this in 60fps or 30 fps

[@moiraaguilera7978]

Love from Aaron Carvalho channel

[@flyingwithbrian3287]

I posted a nice boring follow the road shot with snappy music and everyone loved it! Enjoy your info.

[@DroningaboutIreland]

I know you said it doesn't have it but how can I achieve similar speed ramping in Filmora X if at all possible?

[@davebutler3905]

This might work... Make multiple cuts in your clip and speed each one up and down again progressively. 8 cut example: X1 X2 X4 X8 X16 X8 X4 X2 X1

[@DroningaboutIreland]

@@davebutler3905 I'll give it a go, thanks Dave 👍

[@RoccoGermani]

Speed ramping is one of my favorite techniques... Although I sometimes take it a little too far sometimes 😅 plenty of examples of that on my channel haha

[@gl1pgl0p]

Noice

[@Matts_Window_Cleaning]

What editing app do you use

[@DroneFilmGuide]

FCPX.

[@FireFlySamson]

Can you please recommended a Windows equivalent of Final Cut Pro. Many thanks in advance

[@AndreRees]

Premiere pro

[@jerryp5776]

Does frame rate make any difference when speed ramping like that?

[@aljaz55]

Not really. The most important is that speed increase is a round number. If you set 4.5x speed (for example) this will result in a very jerky motion.

[@aljaz55]

Higher frame rate (60, 120,.. fps) is good for decreasing speed and getting smooth slow-motion.

[@jerryp5776]

@@aljaz55 good to know as I typically shoot most of my drone footage at 30fps and put into 24fps timeline. Mahalo!

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Agree with the above!

[@moonvals]

can all of this be done in Filmora X ?

[@DanielBarrios83]

I'll be waiting for an answer

[@snapfocus]

yes you can its easy just increases the speed according to ur length of ur video add motion blur

[@moonvals]

@@snapfocus also that built up in speed ?

[@1QKGLH]

I get flying backwards, I used to do that as well. Why not use a waypoints mission, or similar on whatever platform you're flying? Even a numbskull like me can get smooth, cimenatic footage with waypoints.

[@ichapp]

Stewart, I've just been doing similar with drone shots that have the same problem as yours (apart from length!), and that's an imprecise flight path which is all the more obvious when speeded up. The footage really jarred me before, especially when speeded up. The solution was to use Motion Tracker (Stabilise) in After Effects, something new to me. Absolutely rock solid (if a bit of work), and the very best speed ramping options. I dare say you know all this already, but I've only just got to grips with it! And CC Force Motion Blur is the AE effect, I don't think it exists in PP. Here's a short clip. No colour corrections as I'll do them in my main PP sequence, but you can see it's rock solid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKSxoGWVbJmCsKM

[@OffTheBeatenPot]

First!

[@Jonners]

This is drone videography editing 101.

[@luiskaj2434]

Is it an intended pun to call your educational drone video a "crash" course?

[@Thisbook2022]

Bro not everyone lives in middle earth.

[@driewiel]

Or you can add some dragons or spaceships. That will also work.

[@jimadams2700]

it feels like we are coddling people with ADD instead of making art.

[@abjeet1]

Thanks for earth shattering heart breaking tip.. It actually helped me up my audience retention rate on insta 😆. Subscribed and liked

[@kolda071]

Can i do it in different video editor? Final cut pro is a little bit expensive 🥹😁