In today’s multimedia-driven landscape, combining aerial and ground footage is no longer just a luxury—it’s a standard for delivering impactful, cinematic-quality video content. Whether you’re capturing a sweeping aerial view of a corporate facility or tightly framed ground-level interviews, organizing your crew efficiently is critical to maximizing production value and staying on schedule.
At St Louis Commercial Video, we’ve spent decades perfecting the craft of integrating drone and ground videography into cohesive, high-performance productions for businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies. Below, we share insights into how to properly plan and organize your team for a seamless and professional shoot that blends these two vital perspectives.
1. Pre-Production Planning: Define Goals and Logistics Early
A successful aerial and ground production begins well before the cameras roll. Start by identifying the key deliverables—are you showcasing a large-scale construction project, capturing branded lifestyle content, or conducting interview segments with environmental B-roll?
Early in the planning phase:
- Define which elements will be shot from the air vs. the ground.
- Conduct a location scout to assess FAA compliance, line-of-sight concerns, and sun paths.
- Build a shot list that outlines timing, equipment, and camera crew responsibilities.
- Coordinate timing between drone flight windows and ground scenes to avoid unnecessary downtime or overlap.
2. Crew Roles: Who Does What, When, and Where
It’s essential to have a clearly defined crew structure, especially when coordinating ground and aerial units simultaneously. A typical setup may include:
- Director of Photography (DP): Oversees the overall look, lighting, and shot continuity across ground and drone work.
- Camera Operators (Ground): Capture stabilized movement, interview setups, or motion-controlled sequences.
- Drone Pilot & Visual Observer: Licensed and insured professionals responsible for executing flight paths safely and in compliance with regulations.
- Grip and Gaffer Team: Set up lighting, flags, reflectors, and secure equipment both indoors and out.
- Production Assistant (PA): Manages talent, maintains timing, and supports quick transitions between aerial and ground setups.
Communication is key—radios or synced production apps can ensure real-time updates between ground and aerial crews.
3. Synchronizing Aerial and Ground Shots for Story Continuity
Combining aerial and ground perspectives enhances storytelling, but only if the footage feels unified. Ensure:
- Color profiles and camera settings match across all devices (LOG formats, frame rates, white balance).
- Visual transitions—such as dolly shots that lead into drone lifts or flyovers that reveal a ground-level subject—are planned in advance.
- Use establishing aerial shots to open scenes and contextualize the ground footage that follows.
4. Technical Considerations for Mixed-Environments
Shooting indoors and outdoors in the same day requires adaptable gear and planning:
- Use drones with propeller guards and precise stabilization for indoor flight, such as in factories, warehouses, or convention centers.
- Prep ground cameras with ND filters and variable light setups for changing conditions.
- Always have backup media, batteries, and a clean power source—especially when working in remote locations.
If weather becomes a factor, have an indoor shooting contingency plan ready, particularly for critical interviews or product showcases.
5. Post-Production: Editing for Maximum Impact
Once your footage is captured, the post-production process is where your ground and aerial content is integrated into a polished final product. Key tips:
- Use motion graphics to bridge ground and aerial segments.
- Leverage AI-assisted editing tools for color grading, stabilization, and object tracking across both types of footage.
- Add voiceovers or ambient soundbeds to keep transitions smooth and cohesive.
Trust St Louis Commercial Video for Complete Production Solutions
At St Louis Commercial Video, we specialize in seamlessly blending ground and aerial video to deliver cinematic, brand-elevating results. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, we’ve been trusted since 1982 by businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across the St. Louis region.
We offer:
- Studio and on-location production with expert camera crews and operators.
- Licensed drone pilots for high-end aerial imaging, including the ability to fly specialized drones indoors.
- Editing and post-production using the latest in AI-enhanced tools.
- A fully equipped private studio for controlled lighting and set design—perfect for small productions or interview scenes.
Our team understands how to repurpose your photography and video branding for ongoing marketing impact, and we’re fluent in all file types, platforms, and delivery formats to meet your unique media needs.
Let us help you organize your next shoot—from sky to studio—with the confidence and creativity your brand deserves.
Ready to elevate your visuals with a production partner that understands every angle—ground to air?
Contact St Louis Commercial Video today.
Mike Haller 314-913-5626 stlouiscommercialvideo@gmail.com
Private Studio 4501 Mattis Road St. Louis, MO 63128
St Louis Commercial Video Production 