From running around as a kid with a 35mm black and white camera, to renting a camper van and driving through New Zealand for a month while I took pictures of all my surfing adventures, I have always wanted to take my love of nature, people, humanity and technology and bring them together. After being unable to schedule a helicopter in New Zealand to capture my journey through the peaks and over the waters due to inclement weather, I researched how I could put a camera on an unmanned aerial vehicle and take matters into my own hands. This motivated me to move to Los Angeles and be amongst the first videographers to fly a RED camera, including my RED Dragon 6k Carbon Fiber, RED Epic and Red Scarlet, on these types of vehicles, or otherwise known as drones. This opened many doors for me in LA and I quickly became involved with several high-end productions. I would go on to start my own business, Drone Dudes, where we specialize in aerial cinematography.
One of the first things I quickly realized when working with drones was that I needed to keep them light and balanced so that we could shoot clear and steady footage. Unlike a normal camera setup, if you add a couple of ounces or a few inches of size, it can really affect your shoot. Every element needs to be considered from the camera, to lenses, to what you’re using to power the rig. Certain batteries I had used before just gave me issues on set. They were expensive, bulky and annoying to change. Since Drone Dudes primarily uses RED cameras that are very power hungry, we often had to carry around almost 20 batteries to make it through a shoot. It was imperative that I find an alternate solution that would allow me to carry less equipment while handling the high power draws of my cameras, ensuring I don’t miss a unique shot.
I had been using Switronix batteries for my handheld cameras for other shoots, which led me to the Hypercore SLIM HC7 RED. It is a V-mount battery that weighs in at under two pounds and comes in a compact form factor (3.8” x 5.87" x 1.49"). I knew it would be a really great and reliable solution for my needs as a drone operator. With the SLIM,
I typically would only need to bring about five for a shoot.
We’ve used them for several high-profile projects, including a recent PBS documentary on Eero Saarinen, the architect behind the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. For this project, we shot a number of iconic buildings and landmarks all over the country and our SLIM’s kept up without any problems. We were able to capture some very unique footage of the Gateway Arch using one of our drones and the Hypercore SLIM. We knew exactly how long we had to shoot with the battery and also knew that weight was not a problem.
This allowed me to capture exactly what I wanted and for exactly how long I wanted.
The p-tap port on the side of the battery offers a great access port for our accessories, such as telefocuses and video transmitters. Though it seems like a minor detail, the rubberized housing is an asset as well, allowing me to get a nice grip on the battery and switch it out quickly and efficiently without scratching it up, along with minimizing potential glare that can ruin a shot.
About Drone Dudes
Drone Dudes know no limits. They are a prolific team of aerial cinematography specialists. Their goal is to give you the footage you envision—delivering beyond your wildest expectations. Drone Dudes will explore any approach, any angle, or concept— add vision, magic and awesomeness. If you can dream it, they will find a way to shoot it. Their decade of leadership in professional filmmaking is the edge you have been after.
