Cinelifter FPV filming
Our cinelifter is an X8 heavy-lift FPV drone flying a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K or a RED Komodo 6K: FPV speed and movement, in RAW cinema quality.
Cinema-camera FPV
We fly our own X8 cinelifter with a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K or a RED Komodo 6K, for RAW cinema footage with FPV movement. Flown FPV-style, it can chase a car at up to about 100 km/h in a controlled environment, sweep through an action sequence or dive off a building, with the kind of movement a gimbal drone can't make.
Where cinelifters earn their place
- Action sequences in Hindi and regional films: chases, stunts, fight choreography from the air
- Song sequences with sweeping moves around dancers and sets
- Car commercials that need speed and a cinema-camera finish
- OTT series where the platform expects cinema-grade footage
The rig
- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema 6K
- Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D. Up to 6K at 50fps, 4K DCI at 60fps, HD at 120fps. From ₹1,20,000 / day
- RED Komodo 6K
- Up to 6K 17:9 at 40fps, 4K at 60fps, 2K at 120fps. From ₹1,50,000 / day, subject to availability
- Flight time
- 3 to 5 minutes per battery: short, rehearsed, high-value takes
- Crew
- Pilot, technician and spotter
Planning a cinelifter day
- Camera choiceBlackmagic 6K or RED Komodo, with the resolution and frame rate your project needs.
- Rehearse with a GoPro FPVEvery cinelifter day includes a complimentary GoPro FPV drone, used to plan and rehearse the flight paths before the cinema rig flies.
- Safety planHeavy-lift flights get a defined flight corridor, a cleared safety zone and a briefing for cast and crew before the first take.
- Stabilised RAW deliveryPost-processing and stabilisation of the RAW FPV footage is included, delivered by the next day (same day with a 10% rush fee).
Cinelifter questions
Which cinema cameras can you fly?
We fly the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K with a Laowa 9mm lens, and the RED Komodo 6K when it's available. Both record RAW that drops into a cinema grading pipeline.
Cinelifter, FPV or Inspire: which do we need?
Small FPV drones are best in tight spaces and close to people. The Inspire is best for smooth, controlled cinema moves. The cinelifter is for when you need aggressive movement and cinema-quality footage. Most action days use two of the three. See also FPV filming and Inspire filming.
Is the price negotiable for longer shoots?
Yes. Day rates are starting prices, and projects longer than a day are priced on their scope. See drone shoot prices.
Do you work on Bollywood and regional film sets?
Yes. We fit into the set's schedule, call sheets and safety protocols like any other camera department. See film and OTT productions.
Planning a shoot?
Tell us where, when and what you want to capture, and we'll come back with the right crew, drones and a clear list of the permissions you'll need.