I just lately had the distinction of serving as a choose for the AirVuz 2025 Drone Video of the 12 months contest. When you’ve adopted the drone video world for some time, you understand AirVuz is among the main web site platforms to showcase aerial storytelling, notably within the FPV area.
And AirVuz just lately introduced its winners. Congrats not simply to these winners, however actually all who entered. Every bit on the AirVuz web site is artwork in its personal proper.
So what makes a successful FPV video? After watching dozens and dozens of entries, I’ve a reasonably clear grasp on the qualities it takes to win an FPV video contest.
However earlier than I dive into what makes a successful FPV video, let’s check out the place we’ve come and the place we’re at in the present day.
The state of FPV in the present day
FPV drone movies have come a great distance since the first-ever AirVuz Drone Video Awards in 2017. In its early days, FPV was a distinct segment artwork type by gifted racers who posted their movies on-line.
FPV use has turn into mainstream
Today, FPV is essential in mainstream arts and leisure. Take, for instance, the Flyover Expertise attraction, a trip that locations viewers in movement seats suspended in entrance of a large curved display whereas aerial footage sweeps throughout landscapes. The idea is carefully associated to Disney’s Soarin’ attraction, which pioneered the “flying theater” format many years in the past. The truth is, a number of of the inventive minds behind Flyover beforehand labored on Soarin’ and related immersive flight experiences.
I visited Flyover Chicago, which opened on Navy Pier in 2024. In contrast to conventional aerial footage (utilized in rides like Soarin’) that depends closely on helicopters and CGI, lots of Flyover’s sequences lean into actual, dynamic motion captured by means of FPV drones. Flyover Chicago, an enormous celebration of drones, is healthier than Disney’s Soarin. Flyover has been increasing quickly as properly. Along with Chicago, there are areas in Las Vegas, Vancouver, Reykjavik, Toronto and several other different cities, with new points of interest persevering with to open around the globe, creating much more want for top-tier FPV footage.
FPV is turning into extra accessible than ever
One other main shift occurring in FPV filmmaking is accessibility.
Not way back, making a cinematic FPV video required a reasonably steep studying curve. Pilots usually needed to construct their very own drones, tune flight controllers and apply for months simply to get snug flying handbook mode. In even simply the previous yr, the know-how has advanced dramatically.
Drones just like the DJI Avata collection (together with the brand new Avata 360) and rising platforms just like the Antigravity 360 drone have made it a lot simpler for individuals to experiment with FPV-style footage — no soldering expertise required.
The unique Avata collection — the Avata and Avata 2 — mixed FPV flight with options that make it approachable for learners (issues like movement controllers, built-in stabilization, impediment sensing, and sturdy ducted propellers)
Since then merchandise just like the Antigravity 360 drone have pushed the concept even additional by capturing the whole lot across the plane in 360 levels. As an alternative of worrying about completely framing the shot throughout flight, creators can reframe the footage later in modifying, selecting the perfect angles after the actual fact.
The factors to make a successful video has modified
Experiences like these present simply how far drone cinematography has come. Methods developed by FPV pilots — the identical sorts of inventive flights showcased in contests like AirVuz — at the moment are shaping theme park points of interest, immersive theaters and large-scale leisure experiences.
A decade in the past, when FPV filmmaking first began gaining traction, the formulation for an ideal video was pretty simple:
- Fly essentially the most technically tough line attainable
- Seize ultra-crisp footage
- Showcase easy management and daring maneuvers
These issues nonetheless matter, however we’ve reached a degree the place technical ability alone isn’t sufficient to make a video memorable. To make an award-winning FPV video, I’m much less occupied with your flight expertise, and extra within the story you’re telling with that flight.
Find out how to make the perfect FPV video
One factor I saved coming again to whereas judging: the perfect drone movies paradoxically really feel like they’re not in regards to the drone in any respect. As an alternative, the drone turns into a storytelling instrument — a digicam that may go locations no different digicam can.
Articulate a narrative that’s finest advised by the air
One approach to put collectively an ideal video is to begin with a topic the place aerial perspective truly provides which means. For instance:
- Displaying the aftermath of a wildfire, revealing the total scale of devastation throughout a group
- Following the trail of a flood by means of a city, connecting the geography to the human influence
- Documenting parades or protests
Think about weaving collectively FPV footage with interviews from individuals whose properties have been misplaced, or who’re protesting a trigger, to inform their story.
After all, drones shouldn’t fly throughout lively emergencies or over crowds with out authorities approval, however the aftermath might be extremely highly effective when captured from above.
Keep away from FPV storytelling tropes
One attention-grabbing factor I seen whereas judging: when creators tried narrative-driven items, many fell into related themes that may get repetitive. Listed below are some examples:
The character narrative: You’ve in all probability seen the format:
- Sweeping photographs of mountains, forests, or oceans
- A voiceover about defending the planet
- Emotional music swelling within the background
I don’t dislike these movies on their very own, and actually, many have been fantastically achieved. However after watching dozens of entries, the message began to really feel a bit acquainted. When you’re going to go this route, you want to execute completely.
The journey montage narrative: This goes one thing like:
“I really like touring to [insert country]” adopted by a collection of beautiful aerial photographs of landscapes, cities, and landmarks.
Once more, these movies might be beautiful, however additionally they really feel like low-hanging fruit narratively. The visuals carry the video, whereas the story stays pretty skinny.
Suppose severely in regards to the music
Loads of drone movies depend on very related soundtracks. Two classes got here up many times:
- Epic cinematic music — the booming, orchestral “film trailer” sound
- Mellow cello or piano tracks — the emotional, reflective vibe
Each can work, however once you hear them time and again, they begin to mix collectively.
One of many best methods to make your video stand out is just by selecting music that feels contemporary. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
What made sure movies stand out
After I look again on the entries that caught with me essentially the most, they’d just a few issues in frequent:
1. They’d a transparent idea
The strongest movies had a transparent “why” past simply “I flew someplace cool.” Together with your drone video, you would possibly observe an individual, reveal a spot, doc a change or seize a second.
2. The flight supported the story
In nice FPV movies, the flight path isn’t simply spectacular — it means one thing. For instance, one stellar video flew by means of a manufacturing facility to indicate the method of how one thing was made. It wasn’t simply flying by means of bridges and tunnels as a result of the pilot may.
3. They confirmed one thing we hadn’t seen earlier than
Novelty is highly effective, and — when judging — I usually discovered myself drawn towards movies that made me assume “I’ve by no means seen a drone used that approach earlier than.” Even when a video wasn’t technically excellent, originality usually pushed it greater in my rankings.
Inquiries to ask earlier than submitting your finest FPV video
When you’re hoping to make an FPV video that wins awards — or not less than captures consideration — listed below are just a few concepts of inquiries to ask your self, based mostly on what I noticed judging the competition.
- What story am I telling? When you can describe the story in a single sentence, you’re heading in the right direction.
- What does the aerial perspective add? What would this story appear to be with out a drone? If the drone genuinely makes the story stronger, you’re onto one thing.
- Is the place stunning? Or is it attention-grabbing. I’d somewhat see one thing I haven’t seen earlier than. I’ve seen lots of waterfalls, however I haven’t seen traditions in native communities, distinctive kinds of human exercise or sudden environments.
The way forward for FPV storytelling
If there’s one takeaway from judging the AirVuz contest, it’s that FPV filmmaking is evolving. Over the previous few years, the group has confirmed it might probably fly extremely properly. Within the coming years, the problem — and the chance — is to inform higher tales.
With that, I’d additionally wish to see extra experimental sound and pacing. Don’t be afraid to tackle uncommon music decisions or sudden cuts. Combine FPV with different digicam angles. Preserve the story tight, and ensure it’s precisely that — a narrative.
I really like a stupendous aerial panorama after I’m staring up into the display at my dentist workplace. However for award-winning footage? I need a story in regards to the individuals, locations and views that solely drones can reveal.
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