In this Creator Spotlight, we feature Collin O'Malley, aka collin_fpv. Collin is an LA-based professional Drone Pilot and Aerial Cinematographer that went from hobbyist racer to one of the top professionals in the field - capturing high-energy FPV footage for top commercial brands and music events worldwide. Join us as we explore his signature aerial style, the challenges of his craft, and his essential data strategies.
If you met a stranger at the airport and they asked what you do, how would you describe yourself to them?
I'm an aerial cinematographer and FPV drone pilot. My work has taken me all over the world filming some of the biggest music festivals and capturing high-energy, one-of-a-kind shots you can only get with a flying camera. I build a lot of the drones I work with, and those custom builds can be tailored to shoot very unique subjects. I shoot everything from commercial brands and cars to hotels, waterparks, and live events!
Talk to us about the beginnings of your career and how you got started in capturing cinematic aerial footage?
I started out racing drones as a hobby and learned how to custom build my aircraft for speed and agility or to fit through tiny spaces. The first time I strapped a camera to one of these fast machines and saw what I could capture, everything changed. My hobby became an obsession with filming. For years, I had a completely different life in IT. I worked for Apple, then became an IT Director at a K-8 charter school. When the pandemic hit, I finally had time to dive deeper into FPV and discovered this incredible creative online community who saw potential in what I was doing. They helped me realize I could actually make a living at this. In 2022, I made the scariest decision of my life; quit my stable IT job, packed up everything, and moved from Colorado to California to chase this dream full time. It's been the most challenging and rewarding thing I've ever done.
Who are some of your biggest influences in the world of aerial cinematography and drone piloting?
My biggest influences are some of the early pioneers of FPV. Pilots like JohnnyFPV, who turned his freestyle FPV flying into a career in cinema. He has filmed movies like Fast and the Furious and Red Notice using FPV drones. Another is Jordan Tempkin, aka JetFPV—a distinguished racing pilot who now heads one of the biggest aerial filming businesses: LightCraft. They've filmed movies like Black Panther and the upcoming Superman movie. These pilots have really pushed the industry forward and showcased what can be done with these incredible flying platforms.
Can you touch on some of your more recent career highlights? What were some of the most gratifying moments of your career in capturing unique aerial perspectives?
Traveling the world and getting to work with artists in the music industry has been some of my favorite highlights. I've had the opportunity to travel to the Maldives, Turkey, Aruba, and El Salvador and worked with artists like Deadmau5, Hozier, Chappell Roan, and many more, capturing their live onstage performances from a new aerial perspective. It's also been a highlight to work with MrBeast's team to capture some of his insane projects.
What do you consider to be your signature style in drone videography, especially in capturing dynamic aerials or FPV shots?
I think timing has so much to do with drone videography, especially when it comes to filming concerts and festivals. Knowing when to be in the right spot at the right time during a song can be the difference between catching that epic pyro or fireworks or missing the moment entirely. It’s about understanding the energy, knowing your speed, and choosing the perfect moment to drop in from the back of the crowd and pull up right to the artist as they’re singing or the beat drops.What I think sets my flying apart is how I move through the air. Instead of just flying straight lines like most drones do, I'm constantly banking and flowing from side to side. That way the viewer actually feels like they're flying! They get that real sense of motion and speed, like they're flying along with me for the ride.
How do you stay inspired and motivated creatively when planning and executing complex drone shots for cinematic footage?
I'm inspired by how wild and unpredictable this career is. One day I'm filming a concert at Red Rocks in Colorado, the next I'm capturing hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey, and then I'm weaving through a local dentist office flying in and out of windows or filming a drone show for the 4th of July. There's nothing routine about what I do. Every shoot brings something completely different. That constant exposure to new places and crazy subjects keeps me excited about what's coming next and keeps my skills sharpened. I never know if I'll be flying through a waterpark, chasing cars, or diving through fireworks over a crowd of thousands, and that unpredictability is what keeps me motivated.
What are some of your unique challenges as a drone filmmaker, especially concerning flight logistics, weather, or regulatory considerations?
I've made it a point to master the complicated world of airspace regulations and work directly with the FAA and onsite companies to figure out how to get the permissions I need. Going the legal route and being completely transparent about my flights has opened doors that many pilots can't access such as flying at the Hollywood Bowl during a live show or getting clearance on an Air Force base to capture unique angles for clients. Weather is always throwing curveballs at you. Wind, rain, and cloudy skies can really mess with your shoot, but I've learned to adapt. Sometimes I'll bring a bigger drone that can push through stronger winds, or I'll use a waterproof setup so I'm not completely grounded. I’ll even use the wind to my advantage; flying with it can add serious speed and energy to those shots that you just can't get on a calm day.
Can you tell us about a time that having a data management strategy prevented you from losing important work?
I learned this lesson the hard way by watching another drone operation lose their entire drone and a whole day's worth of footage to a river while filming for a river rafting company. Since then, I've made it a rule to always swap out my SD cards when I'm filming over dangerous areas where losing those shots could cost me clients. Having tools that let me quickly dump footage onto my SSD drives means I can throw a fresh card back in the drone and go capture those insane shots over risky terrain without worrying about losing everything. That has let me push the boundaries and get the shots that I wouldn't otherwise attempt. Peace of mind knowing my footage is safely stored makes a big difference!
What are the three ‘must haves’ for every drone filmmaker, beyond the drone itself?
Having a backup drone is HUGE! You never know when something might go wrong during travel, or sometimes gear just decides it doesn't want to work even though you tested it the day before and you don’t always have time to troubleshoot or repair the drone onsite. Second, always have more SD cards than drone batteries. You'll burn through storage faster than you think, especially when you're getting those one of a kind shots. Having more storage means you can capture more takes and angles, which gives you way more options when you're editing later. Third is a way to clean your lens, whether it's a puffer, blower, or microfiber cloths. Nothing ruins an epic shot like dust, dirt, or water spots on your lens that you could have easily avoided.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice when you were first starting out your career, what would you say?
I would tell myself that self-doubt is always worse in your head than in real life. Taking the leap to be a part of new opportunities almost always works out better than not taking it, and putting in the effort even when it doesn't feel like you're making progress means that when an opportunity comes up, you'll be ready for it. Luck doesn't just happen by itself; What looks like luck to other people is really just when opportunity meets you at the exact moment you've been unknowingly preparing for your whole life.
A huge thank you to Collin for sharing his incredible journey and inspiring insights with us. Look out for his unique aerial cinematography, as we're incredibly excited to see it featured on the big screen in an upcoming feature film!
