How to Do an Arial Shot- Planning and Research

Context:

Our film has a late entry with the ariel shot. When I was trying to do this with limited practice, I had to move the camera to the right area while the camera was moving. Every time the camera was moving, the actors would automatically start the scene when I was still moving. This harmed all the practice because by time I got to the sweet spot, the actual angle, the shot was over. In this post I need to fix this problem that was plaguing the original attempts.

Failed Attempted

There are many ways to fix this either through communicating with the director to give hand motions to make them go then cut until the placement is right, or the way I will look at, a wireless camera control.

How to do a Wireless Method:

There are multiple wireless methods I can do but while watching this video:

How to use any Android Smartphones and Tablets as "Wireless Camera Remote"?

This video (which was a hidden gem) recommended an app called Bluetooth Camera Shutter. This app seems easy to use, has good reviews and can work on any phone device. However, the app is known for lagging in the camera shutter and connection problems. So that is a method I will try out.

Practice the Wireless Method:

Now after doing brief but helpful research I can now look at the planning this scene better. This first on many things for me to do is how high I want to make this scene. Looking at the table and the talent leaning over the shot needs to be around 9 feet tall. I will accomplish this through a ladder so I can also use it and not my arms to hold it up. But the scene itself needs to be kind of a square in a square. The picture will be without talent since they are busy. 

Here are the steps I took

1. Connect the wireless camera shutter to my phone and computer.
2. Put the phone in the tripod
3. Put the tripod above the ladder
• Hold still!
4. Ask someone to hold the snap button 
5. Release the button to end the video

Attempted at Overhead Shot.

This shot as whole is angled and the ladder is also in frame. Along with problems that I can fix, the time of day was wrong which is perfectly fine, I just need to have the right time frame the day of filming. Even with these problems that are easy to fix, the wireless method worked, which was the point of the practice. 

Take Away 

This blog, as stated beforehand, works for the film. With a few easy fixes (angling and distance away from the ladder), this can and will work for the film.