Blog - John Gore

First Fully Licensed Drone Operator in the Film Industry in South Africa

2015-10-25T20:46:43Z

Drone Crew is very glad to announce that we have received our Remote Operator Certificate (ROC) from SACAA on 23 October 2015, and are now fully licensed to operate (RPAS) drones in South Africa.

Drone Crew (Pty) Ltd is the first fully licensed drone operator in the South African film industry, and the 3rd fully licensed operator overall (the others being in Anti Rhino Poaching and Mining sectors).

We would like to thank all involved at SACAA and DOT for processing our application in a professional manner, and our entire team of experts for their hard work and commitment to the process, as well as all those who have supported us and cheered us on along the way.

This is a great milestone for us, and we look forward to leading the way in providing a safe and reliable service in this specialised part of the film industry.

RED Drone Filming in Lagos Nigeria

2015-06-18T07:05:14Z

We used our Red Scarlet camera on the drone for this international TV commercial shoot.

Filming in Lagos Nigeria can have some unique challenges, but our shoot was quite smooth, except for being rained out all morning of the shoot. Fortunately the weather cleared up just enough to get the shots.

"Will definitely give you a call for future work."
-- Mark Lawrie (director)

Time Off - International TV Commercial

2015-06-05T17:49:26Z

Shooting drone aerials early in the morning high up in the mountains for a TV commercial for Time Off.

Various drone shots of a game drive as well as establishing shots of a hotel and guest enjoying activities at the hotel.

"This is really a lot better than we've had in the past."
-- Michael Oberholzer (director)

Drone Filming in Mozambique

2015-04-08T15:28:03Z

Captured some drone footage for a corporate video in Mozambique.

"Thank you so much. The footage is wonderful."
-- Joao Marcos Oliveira (director)

FCMB Bank - International TV Commercial

2015-03-29T16:00:07Z

Indoor drone flying for some interesting camera movements on this TV commercial for Nigerian based FCMB bank.

The drone shots were cut seamlessly with steadicam shots and speed ramping to allow to viewer to travel through the building.

"Thank you for helping us out."
-- Nikki Bowden (production)

Karvan TV Commercial - RED Drone

2015-03-16T10:10:29Z

Aerial footage with RED Scarlet camera on octocopter drone for international TV commercial.

"I love this shot!"
-- Basha de Bruijn (director)

Mooirivier - South African Feature Film

2015-03-13T08:53:51Z

Mooirivier, a South African feature film written and directed by Rene van Rooyen, has just been released in Cinemas in South Africa. We provided the aerial footage with our Canon 5D on our octocopter drone in early 2014.

We loved working with this energetic South African crew! The film is set in the town of Potchefstroom, about 2 hours from Joburg. We shot a number of scenic and establishing shots in and around Potchefstroom and surrounds.

The film was released at cinemas in South Africa in February 2015.

"Great to work with your team"
-- Desmond Denton (co-producer)

RED Drone Filming in Zanzibar

2015-03-12T10:23:22Z

Filming in Zanzibar for a feature film, with the RED Scarlet camera on our octocopter drone.

This included a lot of flying from a speedboat, to film the action.

"The drone shots are amazing, We will have you back for the next block"
-- Sam (director)

C300 Drone Filming for McDonalds

2015-03-10T11:37:06Z

Corporate video for McDonalds South Africa, featuring the farms where food is produced for McDonalds franchise in SA.

We shot drone aerial footage with a Canon C300 camera on our octocopter drone.

"That is exactly what we are looking for."
-- Chris Green (director)

RED Drone Filming for McDonalds - International Commercial

2015-02-27T17:09:47Z

We used a RED Scarlet camera on our octocopter drone for this international commercial for McDonalds, Germany.

Drone shot of a luxury home with a Lamboghini and Rolls Royce Phantom, and another shot of a luxury yacht traveling at speed with jetski's racing around it.

"I like that very much"
-- Nico Beyer (director)