20 cinematic drone shots

When you make a video, you can choose from different shots and perspectives. Filming with a drone is no different. Below, the 'Drone Film Guide' explains twenty cinematic drone shots, so you can create creative footage that keeps your audience captivated.

Shot 1 | Parallax

Layers add depth to a shot, especially when you add movement. You get this shot by having the background and foreground move at different speeds.

Shot 2 | Tilt Down Reveal

The drone's gimbal isn't a fixed part of your drone; it can move in all directions. By tilting the gimbal downwards, you can introduce your scene.

Shot 3 | Coming into shot

Instead of pointing your camera directly at the subject you're filming, you can also choose to let your subject come into the frame. This adds more dynamism to your videos.

Shot 4 | Tracking Shot

Many drones have a Tracking Shot option. With this function, the camera keeps following the subject, even from behind a tree or mountain. Ideal for following people, cars and animals.

Shot 5 | Birds Eye

With the bird's eye view, you see what a drone sees from a great height. Follow your subject or let it come into the frame.

Shot 6 | Look Up

Instead of tilting the gimbal downwards, you can also tilt it upwards. It looks as if the viewer is tilting their head to take in the surroundings.

Shot 7 | Daisy Cutter

Instead of flying as high as possible, you can also choose to stay close to the ground. By flying as low as possible, you get a different, original perspective.

Shot 8 | Crane

With this shot, it feels as if the scene was filmed with a crane or jib (extended arm). It lets you make upward and downward movements without having to tilt the gimbal.

Shot 9 | Slider

The Slider is a shot that's easy to learn. You create it by letting the subject come into view after emerging from behind a tree, wall or building.

Shot 10 | Rising Shot

Like the slider, the Rising Shot is easy to perform. By adding a foreground to the subject, you get more dynamism and story in your video.

Shot 11 | Panorama Curve

The Panorama Curve is a standard option found on many drones. Instead of flying in a straight line, you film in a panorama to capture the entire surroundings in your frame.

Shot 12 | Vertigo (Dollyzoom)

This shot can be compared to a dolly zoom. A dolly moves forwards or backwards while the camera zooms in at the same speed. On the Mavic 2 Zoom, this is a standard option.

Shot 13 | Surprise

Ideal for surprising people. By flying towards the subject and adjusting the speed of the middle section in post-production, you create a dramatic effect on your subject.

Shot 14 | Tripod Shot

You can also choose not to fly your drone at all, but to set it down. You then have a static shot that the subject walks into. Ideal for filming yourself, for example.

Shot 15 | Overtake

The Overtake shot focuses on the view behind the subject. That way, you can take a journey over the subject without losing the viewer's attention.

Shot 16 | Rocket

By tilting the gimbal all the way down and then flying upwards, you can discover interesting geometric shapes and patterns.

Shot 17 | Walk under

You create this shot by keeping the subject in frame and slowly flying upwards as the subject comes closer. This makes it feel as if the subject is walking underneath.

Shot 18 | Tilt Reveal

A creative shot is the Tilt Reveal. By pointing the gimbal down and slowly tilting it upwards while flying, you get a completely different shot to capture your surroundings.

Shot 19 | Tilt and Pan

You can move the gimbal from left to right (panning) or from top to bottom (tilting). By using both movements together, you get a completely different result.

Shot 20 | Just fly!

Of course, you don't have to cram your whole film with creative shots. Mix things up by simply flying calmly and smoothly for a while.