To Drone or Not to Drone? Five Flying Filmmaking Friends for 2018 (for $500 or Less) (GENTLE THUG PRODUCTIONS)

By GENTLE THUG PRODUCTIONS

The advanced technology of drones over the past few years have been a real boon to filmmakers. No longer stuck on the ground, independent filmmakers have found the resources they need to take flight with amazing aerial shots that were once limited to expensive helicopter flyovers that bloated budgets and wreaked havoc with already frazzled nerves.

Nowadays, aspiring Steven Spielbergs can add stunning aerial footage to their masterpieces at relatively inexpensive costs. 

However, before you even consider purchasing a drone, we recommend that you get Aerial Photography and Videography Using Drones, written by Eric Chen. This book is indispensable for high-flying filmmakers, and gives you all the information that you need in order to successfully utilize your drone in all aspects of your filmmaking:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Aerial-Photography-Videography-Using-Drones/dp/0134122771/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514048405&sr=8-1&keywords=aerial+photography+and+videography+using+drones

 

   
Happy (and safe) flying!

Five Filmmaking Drones for $500 (or under):

Traxxas Aton Plus Quadcopter with 2-Axis Gimbal, 3-Cell 5000mAh iD LiPo Battery and 3-amp AC LiPo Charger

The Aton Plus features a high-capacity 5000mAh 3-cell LiPo battery and a 2-Axis gimbal designed to work with GoPro and other action cameras (camera sold separately). The gimbal provides stabilization for smoother video capture. Mount for GoPro HERO 3 and 4 series cameras is included. Other mounts sold separately. 

Remove the gimbal and experience the full 50+mph fury that the Aton can unleash! Aton's Sport and Expert modes allow you to perform awesome aerobatics with the safety and reassurance of the Air Brake feature. Aton is the Ultimate Sport Quad that does it all! 

For more specifications and current cost, go to: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019OQEKLU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=dronesworldne-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B019OQEKLU&linkId=f2a5262c3f077433da0c5174b49a92e2

Parrot Bebop 2 – Red

Bebop 2 is easy to fly using the FreeFlight 3 piloting app on your smart phone or tablet, which is available for free download in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Once downloaded, you can take off and land with the touch of a button, and practice your flips and tricks mid-flight.
 

Stream footage from your Bebop 2 in real time on your smart phone or tablet. Feel like changing up your view? Adjust the camera's angle with the single swipe of your finger.

For more specifications and current cost, go to: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0179JFAYU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=dronesworldne-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0179JFAYU&linkId=7a0dc35d8d6352c7b09007a487997828

Walkera QR X350 PRO FPV G-2D Gimbal 5.8Ghz iLook Camera Devo F7 Quadcopter Drone

Equipped with a GPS which maintains both Auto-Return to Home and Auto-Pilot functions. This model allows the pilot to select waypoints on a map, which will enable the QR X350 to perform the programmed flight automatically. The drone includes a Safe Function feature; when the drone loses connection it automatically returns to where it began flight.

For more specifications and current cost, go to: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JBPOR36/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=dronesworldne-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00JBPOR36&linkId=ed7ced723e062230f759f2f873d9d58a#detail-bullets

XIRO Xplorer Aerial UAV Drone Quadcopter with 1080p FHD FPV live Video Camera and 3 Axis Gimbal -- V Version

Complete quadcopter, remote transmitter and ready to fly. Super easy to set up: pre-tuned by factory and ready in minutes! Just charge the included battery, attach the propellers, start the remote controller and you're ready to fly. 

Shoots full HD video at 1080p/30fps and 720p/30fps. You can take pictures with a resolution of up to 14 megapixels. The camera also supports burst mode and timed capture, bringing dramatic cinema performance from the air! Real time live preview and flight status will be naturally achieved by attaching your iOS or Android phone to the remote controller.

High-precision 3-axis camera stabilization system enables a whole new level of smooth, stable and blur-free photo capture and video recording in the sky. 

Distinguished "Follow Me" and "Circle Around Me" functions brings you incredibly amazing selfie shots with great ease and lots of fun. Built-in 5,200-mAh lithium polymer (LiPo) rechargable battery can fly up to 25 minutes on a single charge.

The Mobile APP is available on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

For more specifications and current cost, go to: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01233S0TO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=dronesworldne-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01233S0TO&linkId=ba1e9c8cffd7b790ce0d7400251f6aa2

Yuneec Typhoon G Quadcopter RTF with GoPro Gimbal & Steady Grip

The Typhoon G Imaging Solution allows you to get the most out of your GoPro Camera, by providing you with a tool to make smooth and stable aerial footage, while delivering direct digital video on the ST10+ Ground Station screen. Sports enthusiasts, adventurers, and filmmakers alike have a new and powerful tool in capturing their actions, while being able to see what they are recording in real time.

For more specifications and current cost, go to: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015Y59T8E/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=dronesworldne-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B015Y59T8E&linkId=b459d964e61c63f056a6c81756935563