Drone cinematography has opened up a whole new language for filmmakers, brands, and agencies. Aerial shots aren't just about getting higher - they can create powerful emotions, reveal hidden story layers, or transform a simple scene into something unforgettable.
Some of these shots are brand new, thanks to drone technology. Others are classic camera moves that drones now allow us to achieve faster, cheaper, and in places that used to be impossible.
Here are some shot types that can help you better utilize your drone team.
1. The Pullback
What it is:
The drone starts close on a subject and steadily pulls away, revealing the surrounding environment.
What it can convey:
Isolation
Scale
The slow reveal of critical story information
Example:
A character is crying on a boat. At first, the audience wonders why they’re upset - after all, they’re floating peacefully on the water. As the drone pulls back, we reveal they're surrounded by endless ocean, then a half-sunken boat nearby, and eventually nothing but miles of open water.
2. The Top-Down (or God’s Eye View)
What it is:
The camera points straight down, creating a flat, map-like view. Once thrilling and new, this shot has become common and sometimes overused, but it can still be powerful when used with intention.
What it can convey:
Powerlessness of characters
The feeling of fate or destiny controlling events
A video game or hyper-realistic aesthetic
Example:
A busy city intersection where people look tiny and anonymous, swallowed by the machine of urban life.
3. The Push-In (or Drone Dolly In)
What it is:
The drone flies slowly toward a subject, much like a dolly move.
What it can convey:
Emotional intensity
Building tension
Pulling the audience deeper into a character's world
Example:
An ambulance speeds across a bridge. The drone pushes alongside it, then inches closer and closer before cutting into the emergency unfolding inside.
4. The Orbit (or 360 Wraparound)
What it is:
The drone flies in a smooth circle around a subject or location.
What it can convey:
A complete view of a subject's surroundings
Unease or dizziness if shot quickly
Proximity between two locations
Example:
Orbiting around a live concert, a championship game, or a hero standing at the edge of a cliff.
5. The Chase (Tracking Shot)
What it is:
The drone follows a moving subject, matching its speed and movement.
What it can convey:
Urgency and action
Excitement and energy
Sweeping the audience into the story
Example:
Chasing a car down a winding mountain road or running side-by-side with a marathon runner sprinting toward the finish.
6. The Boom Up (or Vertical Rise)
What it is:
The drone ascends vertically, either slowly or rapidly, without moving horizontally.
What it can convey:
Discovery of scale
Revealing new or hidden information
Transitioning between story beats
Example:
Rising from behind a hill to reveal an army approaching, or lifting up a skyscraper to find where our main character stands at the top.
7. The Crane Down
What it is:
The drone descends vertically toward the ground, often ending on a subject.
What it can convey:
Grounding the story
Shifting perspective from epic to personal
Concluding a scene with intimacy
Example:
A wide shot of a city skyline that cranes down to find a single person waiting on a quiet corner.
8. The Fly-Through
What it is:
The drone threads its way through tight spaces, interiors, or around obstacles, often using FPV drones.
What it can convey:
Energy and immersion
Placing the audience inside the action
Creating urgency and flow
Example:
Flying through a busy restaurant kitchen, weaving around chefs, waiters, and tables before landing on the protagonist at the center of the action.
9. The Static Hover (The Sky Tripod)
What it is:
The drone holds a perfectly still position, acting like a locked-off tripod high in the sky. This is an often-overlooked but incredibly powerful technique.
What it can convey:
Stillness, awe, and reflection
Giving viewers a chance to absorb a moment
Building quiet tension
Example:
Hovering over a shipwreck in the middle of the ocean, with the waves crashing relentlessly below.
10. The Whip Pan (Drone Version)
What it is:
The drone quickly yaws left or right to reveal something previously off-screen.
What it can convey:
Surprise and urgency
Heightened action
Quick shifts in focus
Example:
Starting on a peaceful beach, then whipping quickly to reveal a speedboat racing toward the shore.
Putting It All Together
Great drone cinematography isn’t just about getting "cool" shots. It's about choosing movement that supports the story, mood, and rhythm of the project.
When you work with a team that understands both the technical craft and the visual language of storytelling, you get more than flyovers — you get cinematic movement that feels intentional and unforgettable.
At Yeah Drones, we help productions of all sizes unlock the full storytelling potential of aerial cinematography. Whether it’s live broadcast, commercials, branded content, or narrative film, we know how to make every move count.
-Randy Scott Slavin
Owner, YEAH DRONES
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