FPV & Drone Cinematography Case Studies
Real-world examples of FPV drone filming, indoor fly-throughs, aerial cinematography, high-speed tracking and specialist drone work for film, television, brands, venues and live productions.
Explore by Category:
Indoor FPV
Immersive fly-throughs for offices, venues, hospitality, heritage spaces and complex industrial interiors.
Action, Sport & Live Events
High-speed FPV drone tracking, motorsport, live performance, broadcast and dynamic moving-camera work.
Venues, Heritage & Architecture
FPV and aerial cinematography for historic buildings, landmark locations, hospitality venues and architectural spaces.
Aerial Cinematography
Cinematic gimbal-drone filming, landscapes, documentary aerials, tracking shots and large-scale establishing imagery.
Commercial, Retail & Office Spaces
FPV fly-throughs and drone filming for offices, retail, commercial property, showrooms and branded environments.
Featured Case Studies:
Selected FPV and drone projects by Lewis Whyld, including technically demanding interior flights, high-speed tracking, live broadcast, extreme environments and cinematic aerial work.
FPV Drone Filming Inside Notre-Dame Cathedral
A fully permitted FPV fly through one of the world’s most iconic historic interiors, requiring precise route planning, specialist equipment and controlled operation in an exceptionally sensitive environment. Filmed for CNN.
FPV Drone Flight from Imperial War Museum London’s Naval Guns into the Main Atrium
A fully permitted FPV flight beginning outside Imperial War Museum London, threading between its two enormous Second World War naval guns before flying through the entrance and descending into the museum’s main atrium in one continuous cinematic move.
FPV Office Flythrough for Warner Bros. Discovery London
A continuous indoor FPV flythrough of Warner Bros. Discovery’s London headquarters, incorporating orbits, reverse tracking, tight gaps and three floors of complex signal management to showcase the scale and flow of the workspace in one uninterrupted cinematic flight.
FPV Drone Flythrough of Sketch London’s Iconic Interiors
Indoor FPV filming through every major room at Sketch London in Mayfair, including the Gallery, the Glade, the Lecture Room & Library, the Parlour, and the East Bar & Pods - capturing its art, design and immersive interiors in a cinematic continuous flight.
Live FPV Filming of a Craig David performance for Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen’s CNN New Year’s Eve Show
Live FPV cinematography for CNN’s global New Year’s Eve broadcast, flying through Craig David’s performance at Twickenham Film Studios for Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen’s live show.
FPV Drone Fly Through Ashridge House - Historic Royal Residence & Film Location
Cinematic FPV filming through Ashridge House’s 700-year-old estate, including its historic interiors, Glasshouse, Coach House, Barn and gardens. A landmark Hertfordshire venue whose architecture inspired Hogwarts, with the Ashridge Estate used in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, alongside films including The Crown, The Gentlemen and Paddington in Peru.
FPV Drone Filming Inside an Erupting Icelandic Volcano for CNN
Extreme-environment FPV filming inside an active Icelandic volcanic crater for a CNN documentary, flying into the eruption zone, orbiting exploding lava and exiting safely. Flights were completed by day and night in intense heat, wind and rapidly changing conditions to capture the eruption from an extraordinary close-proximity perspective.
Emmy-Winning FPV & Drone Cinematography in Ukraine war for CNN
FPV and conventional drone cinematography for CNN’s coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, filmed in an active conflict environment and used as part of the reporting that earned Lewis Whyld an Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Breaking News Coverage.
FPV Drone Flythrough of Plan B’s Live Recycling Facility in Cardiff
FPV filming through Plan B Management Solutions’ fully operational Cardiff Materials Recovery Facility, flying through an active industrial environment of conveyors, processing machinery and moving recyclable material to show the scale, flow and engineering of a plant capable of handling up to 75,000 tonnes of material a year.
FPV Drone Flythrough of Oyster Yachts at St Katharine Docks, London
Cinematic FPV filming around and inside Oyster Yachts’ VIP display at St Katharine Docks, London, weaving between the yachts, through their interiors and across the waterfront setup to create an immersive view of the luxury sailing experience.
FPV & Cinematic Drone Filming at Tower Bridge, London
FPV and cinematic drone filming around one of London’s most iconic landmarks, combining immersive close-proximity flight with sweeping aerial views to capture the scale, engineering and unmistakable character of Tower Bridge.
FPV Drone Flythrough of Self Storage Concierge Beneath The Biltmore Mayfair
Cinematic FPV filming through Self Storage Concierge’s premium Mayfair facility beneath The Biltmore Hotel, capturing its secure storage spaces, circulation routes and high-end concierge environment in one immersive continuous flight. Located beside Grosvenor Square, the site is designed as a luxury alternative to traditional self storage in the heart of Mayfair.
FPV Flight Through Venice’s Canals to the Rialto Bridge
Cinematic FPV filming through the narrow canals of Venice and out into a close-up reveal of the Rialto Bridge, combining technical and immersive low-level flight with one of the city’s most iconic landmarks in a continuous, visually striking sequence for CNN’s The Whole Story: Saving Venice.
FPV Drone Flight Through Warwick Castle to the Winter Ice Rink
Cinematic FPV flight around Warwick Castle’s historic exterior before diving into the heart of its winter event and down towards the seasonal ice rink, combining dramatic heritage architecture with an immersive continuous flight through a live visitor environment.
FPV & Cinematic Drone Filming at an MPS Motorsport Track Day
High-speed FPV and cinematic drone coverage of an MPS Motorsport track day at Castle Combe, including complete laps alongside British Superbike riders and circuit motorcycle lap-record holder Charlie Nesbitt, combining close-proximity pursuit flying with sweeping aerial coverage to capture the speed, precision and intensity of the track.
FPV Drone Filming Across Hawarden Estate & Summer Camp
A cinematic FPV fly through Hawarden Estate’s historic landscape, moving from castle grounds, ancient woodland and the Walled Garden into the energy of its Summer Camp micro-festival. The sequence combines heritage, nature and live-event atmosphere to show the scale and character of one of North Wales’ most distinctive private estates.
Complete FPV Drone Flythrough of Pure Padel Lightwater
A complete cinematic FPV flythrough of Pure Padel Lightwater, moving through its six covered premium courts, clubhouse and social spaces to showcase the scale, flow and atmosphere of the new state-of-the-art padel venue in Lightwater Country Park.
FPV & Cinematic Drone Filming Inside McLaren’s Iconic Technology Centre
FPV and cinematic drone filming around the exterior and through the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, moving into the famous Boulevard where historic Formula 1, IndyCar and Le Mans cars are displayed. A rare aerial perspective on McLaren’s Norman Foster-designed headquarters, combining its striking architecture, engineering heritage and extraordinary collection of racing machinery.
High-Speed FPV Drift Filming at King’s Lynn Circuit
Close-proximity FPV cinematography alongside drifting cars at King’s Lynn Circuit, flying low and fast through tyre smoke and rapid direction changes to capture the speed, aggression and precision of the action from an immersive chase perspective.
FPV Chase & Cinematic Drone Filming of the Flying Scotsman for CNN
High-speed FPV chase sequences and cinematic aerial filming of the iconic Flying Scotsman for CNN, tracking the locomotive at speed and capturing sweeping views that showcase its scale, movement and place in British railway history.
Technical FPV & Cinematic Drone Filming at London Gateway Port
FPV and cinematic drone filming among the ships, container stacks and giant quay cranes at London Gateway, delivered within a tightly controlled operational environment. The shoot required detailed permissions, permits, risk assessments and close coordination with port health-and-safety procedures to capture dynamic aerial footage safely around active maritime infrastructure.
Emmy-Nominated Drone Cinematography off Greenland for CNN’s Global Warning: Arctic Melt
Cinematic drone filming off the coast of Greenland for CNN’s Global Warning: Arctic Melt, capturing whales, ice, ocean and the vast Arctic landscape from the air. Shot in one of the world’s most remote and demanding environments, the aerial work formed part of the Emmy-nominated production documenting the scale and impact of a rapidly changing Arctic.
Pioneering Drone Filming in Tacloban After Typhoon Haiyan for CNN
One of the earliest uses of drone cinematography on a major international breaking-news story, flying over devastated Tacloban for CNN after Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. The aerial footage revealed the extraordinary scale of destruction from above without taking space on desperately needed aid helicopters, helping pioneer the use of drones in modern news coverage.
Groundbreaking Drone Filming at Summit Station, Greenland for CNN
Pioneering aerial cinematography at Summit Station for CNN’s Emmy-nominated Global Warning: Arctic Melt, flying camera drones in extreme cold and high winds at 10,600 feet on top of the Greenland Ice Sheet. With temperatures falling towards -50°C and batteries failing rapidly in the cold, the shoot required specially prepared equipment, careful flight planning and operating techniques developed for one of the most remote and hostile filming environments on Earth.
Drone Cinematography at Chernobyl’s Reactor 4 for CNN
Specialist drone filming at Chernobyl around Reactor 4 and the New Safe Confinement, working within a tightly controlled environment requiring restricted-access permissions, radiation monitoring and detailed operational planning. The shoot combined documentary aerial cinematography with the safety and technical discipline needed to work at one of the world’s most sensitive nuclear sites.
Drone Cinematography for CNN’s D-Day 75 Coverage in Normandy
Cinematic drone filming across the Normandy D-Day sites for CNN’s 75th anniversary coverage, including Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery. The shoot required detailed French aviation permissions, local authority coordination and sensitive operation around historically significant locations, combining sweeping aerial storytelling with the planning and discipline needed for a major international commemorative broadcast.
Drone Filming Inside Bournemouth Airport’s Restricted Airspace During Covid
Cinematic drone filming at Bournemouth Airport during the Covid shutdown, operating within controlled airport airspace and around grounded aircraft. The shoot required close coordination with airport operations and air traffic control, detailed permissions and risk planning — demonstrating safe, compliant aerial filming in one of the most tightly regulated environments a drone pilot can work in.
Heritage Drone Cinematography Across Oxford University
Cinematic sunrise drone filming across Oxford University’s historic colleges for a national television profile on British Prime Ministers. Using a bespoke sub-250g platform, the shoot combined close-proximity aerial work around sensitive heritage architecture with careful urban flight planning and full compliance in one of the UK’s most complex and recognisable academic environments.
Industrial FPV & Drone Filming Inside a Major Norfolk Medical Cannabis Facility
Precision indoor FPV fly-throughs and cinematic aerial filming at one of the world’s largest medical cannabis facilities in Wissington, Norfolk. Using bespoke cinewhoops inside the crop canopy and heavy-lift gimbal drones across 18 hectares of glasshouse infrastructure, the shoot combined industrial drone cinematography, greenhouse filming and technically controlled interior flight to reveal the scale, geometry and pharmaceutical production environment of the site.
Emmy-Nominated Drone Filming in St Martin After Hurricane Irma for CNN
Rapid-response drone cinematography in St Martin immediately after Hurricane Irma, filmed for CNN with Clarissa Ward to reveal the scale of destruction from the air. Working in a disaster zone with severely damaged infrastructure, limited power and fast-changing conditions, the team used aerial filming to document devastated homes, stripped vegetation, debris-filled streets and the wider humanitarian impact. The coverage formed part of CNN’s 2018 Emmy-nominated breaking-news reporting on Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Industrial Drone Cinematography Across Offshore & Onshore Wind Farms for CNN
Cinematic drone filming of offshore and onshore wind energy infrastructure for CNN’s global climate coverage, capturing turbines, heavy machinery and the scale of renewable energy production from the air. The work required careful operation around complex turbulence, high-value infrastructure, electromagnetic interference and strict industrial safety procedures, combining technically controlled flight with cinematic storytelling around the transition to renewable energy.
GPS-Denied Drone Filming Inside London’s Crossrail Tunnels
Specialist drone cinematography inside London’s Crossrail tunnels, flying underground in a GPS-denied environment around one of the UK’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects. The shoot required precise manual control, detailed permissions, site safety coordination and careful operation within confined tunnel spaces — demonstrating specialist industrial drone filming for major transport and infrastructure projects.
Industrial Drone Filming at the Port of Dover
Specialist drone cinematography across the high-security Port of Dover, capturing ferries, freight movements, harbour infrastructure and large-scale maritime logistics from the air. The shoot required controlled access, detailed permissions and close adherence to operational safety procedures, demonstrating compliant drone filming within one of the UK’s busiest and most strategically important ports.
Drone Filming in Nepal After the 2015 Earthquake for CNN
Drone cinematography in the aftermath of the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake, documenting destruction, damaged communities and the scale of the humanitarian emergency for CNN. Building on Lewis Whyld’s pioneering use of drones in breaking-news coverage, the assignment used aerial imagery to reveal areas and perspectives that were difficult to understand from the ground, combining sensitive visual journalism with technically demanding disaster-zone flying.
Award-Winning 360° Drone Filming of the Jacobite “Hogwarts Express” for CNN
Award-winning 360° aerial filming of the Jacobite steam train — widely known as the “Hogwarts Express” — using a custom-built drone system designed to disappear from the finished image. Developed for CNN, the project created an immersive flying perspective around the train and Scottish landscape, combining bespoke drone engineering, 360° VR cinematography and technical innovation that went on to receive industry recognition.
Award-Winning Drone Filming During the Covid-19 Pandemic for CNN
Drone cinematography and visual journalism throughout the Covid-19 pandemic for CNN, documenting frontline services, empty cities, the impact on communities and the wider scale of the crisis from the air and on the ground. The work formed part of award-recognised pandemic coverage and required sensitive access, rapidly evolving safety procedures and careful visual storytelling in an unprecedented public-health emergency.
Moonshot: Building the most advanced cinewhoop in the world
Development and real-world testing of Moonshot, a custom-built FPV platform engineered for exceptional endurance without sacrificing the agility required for cinematic work. The system completed a 35-minute continuous trainyard flight and 20 minutes of high-speed drift chasing, combining compact size, extended flight time and close-proximity performance for unusually demanding FPV productions.
FPV Drone Filming through Piazza San Marco, Venice
Cinematic FPV drone filming across Piazza San Marco, flying over the domes and roofline of St Mark’s Basilica, past the Campanile and around the historic architecture of Venice’s most famous square. Close-proximity FPV camera movement connected the basilica, bell tower, piazza and surrounding skyline in a continuous aerial sequence.
FPV Cinematography for CNN’s Emmy-Nominated Kobe: The Making of a Legend
FPV and specialist drone cinematography for CNN Original Series Kobe: The Making of a Legend, using immersive camera movement through sporting venues and locations connected to Kobe Bryant’s story. Lewis Whyld was nominated for a 2026 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Journalism for his work on the 3 part series.