I had no idea starting from scratch what would be involved in creating my first ever drone video the list ended up being something like this...

• Research a drone
• Buy a drone (Mavic Mini)
• Spend hours browsing forums about all things Mavic Mini
• Learn to fly your drone
• Learn about firmware updates
• Learn about limitations of your drone and how not to crash it
• Learn about airspace and agl and vlos and where and how you can fly your drone
• Log you planned flight and phone your local air traffic control to gain permission (controlled airspace)
• Learn how to take aerial footage
• Find a video editor (Davinci Resolve)
• Learn how to use it (this can be quite a learning curve!)
• Learn all about Youtube
  

...and then after all that.....you can post your video!  Has been quite the journey but so interesting and rewarding.

Here's my first effort, a quick video of a loop in the Kawarau River near Queenstown in New Zealand.

I hope you enjoy!

Kayak!!!

Akirasho Posted at 2-5 13:45
Kayak!!!

[view_image]

Yes they do! :-) And lots of rafting

Very nicely done.  You captured some great footage.  I especially like your "list" of things to do to prepare.  Thanks for sharing.

DowntownRDB Posted at 2-5 14:41
Very nicely done.  You captured some great footage.  I especially like your "list" of things to do to prepare.  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks DowntownRDB it is really helpful having the internet to guide you through all this, these forums have been super helpful.

Beautiful spot!

Fantastic footage. Well done. I subbed your channel. Here's mine
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCafytSDKNZGQkr4ZvE7MMWQ

Woe Posted at 2-5 19:02
Fantastic footage. Well done. I subbed your channel. Here's mine
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCafytSDKNZGQkr4ZvE7MMWQ

Thanks so much. Really enjoyed your Yucca Valley video, have subbed too. Been meaning to ask those rocks looked like they would go rolling at the slightest shake, do you have problems with them?

Nicely done,  I subscribed to your channel,  feel free to checkout mine - http://www.youtube.com/DAflys

DAFlys Posted at 2-6 00:32
Nicely done,  I subscribed to your channel,  feel free to checkout mine - http://www.youtube.com/DAflys

Thanks DAFlys checked out your site you have some great videos, I subbed. Cheers

Hello , I am in the same situation, a photographer with his first drone & tons to learn:-) so far it is a lot of fun , but I struggle with the video editing part (beyond the DJI phone app). I think I will start as well with DaVinci , as i understand that 2.7 k export is free (opposite to 4k). But this world of frame rates, mixing mini & osmo pocket , 2,7 vs 4 K... all still very much a mystery to me .
What is your experience with resolve , any tips & tricks ???

You picked a very nice area for your first flight ... great video !!
Hère is my first flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8aVO3eYrnY

Thank you

Bussty Posted at 2-6 02:14
Thanks DAFlys checked out your site you have some great videos, I subbed. Cheers

thanks Bussty.   Have you joined the drone community on instagram yet - http://www.instagram.com/DAFlysdrones

b_hirsch_photo Posted at 2-6 02:27
Hello , I am in the same situation, a photographer with his first drone & tons to learn:-) so far it is a lot of fun , but I struggle with the video editing part (beyond the DJI phone app). I think I will start as well with DaVinci , as i understand that 2.7 k export is free (opposite to 4k). But this world of frame rates, mixing mini & osmo pocket , 2,7 vs 4 K... all still very much a mystery to me .
What is your experience with resolve , any tips & tricks ???

Nice flying.  I subscribed to your channel,  feel free to checkout mine - http://www.youtube.com/DAflys

Bussty Posted at 2-5 15:32
Thanks DowntownRDB it is really helpful having the internet to guide you through all this, these forums have been super helpful.

You're welcome Bussty.  These forums are a wealth of information and the posters seem to always be very knowledgeable and helpful.  Have a great day and keep on making those great videos.

Very nice video!

I have to remember to put this on our 'bucket list'

PS, I subscribed to your channel.
Mine is http://www.youtube.com/c/tricksandtipsnl

Great job with the flight and video!

Number one on my list was learning to fly a toy quad with no automatic controls. After that, a drone that hovered in place was a sweet luxury.

Not that you needed to do that, apparently. Nice video and well flown, especially for a rookie.

Nice work ... I was wondering how the MM performed .. looks great Thx .

b_hirsch_photo Posted at 2-6 02:27
Hello , I am in the same situation, a photographer with his first drone & tons to learn:-) so far it is a lot of fun , but I struggle with the video editing part (beyond the DJI phone app). I think I will start as well with DaVinci , as i understand that 2.7 k export is free (opposite to 4k). But this world of frame rates, mixing mini & osmo pocket , 2,7 vs 4 K... all still very much a mystery to me .
What is your experience with resolve , any tips & tricks ???

Lol you and I look to be at pretty much the same spot on this journey. You are doing really well for a first video and if that is coming out of the DJI app...wow! Love how you included stills, that's a great idea as the Mini takes great stills too.

Best advice with Davinci is to watch a couple of beginner videos and just dive in! Trial and Error a great teacher :-) I found most of my compiling was in the CUT page which allows you to really precisely line things up. Here's some notes I keep in Evernote if it helps (still learning!)

Good luck and really enjoyed your video :-)





KEY STUFF


Shortcuts
* I = in   O = out
* Ctrl F full screen video play back
* Shift Z  toggle full timeline view
* N snapping
* J K L  reverse  stop  forward
* M  marker
* CTRL + SHIFT + Left Drag to shuffle clip in CUT page
* ALT + MOUSE SCROLL (CUT PAGE and on timeline strip in EDIT page) Scrolls Timeline
* ALT + MOUSE SCROLL (EDIT page on a clip) Stretches or Shrinks Timeline
* CTRL + S Save project


Arranging Clips
* Arrange clips in CUT page
* Select multiple cuts from video files
* Add in out clips using icons
* Ripple Override replaces clips removing gaps
* CTRL + SHIFT + Left Drag to shuffle clip in CUT page
* Insert clip between two clips either CUT page use SMART INSERT  icon or EDIT page drag to timeline and select INSERT icon that pops up.
*
Edits
* Use left mouse scroll to fine tune cuts
* In CUT page use double arrows to jump to next transition
* Cross Dissolves must have enough "handle" or footage
* Fade to black using clip handles in EDIT page
* Reverse Clip - EDIT page - Right clip clip in timeline - Select Retime Controls - Bottom drop down box select Reverse
* Change Clip Speed - EDIT page - Right clip clip in timeline - Select Retime Controls - Bottom drop down box select speed required.
* Stabilize - CUT page - Tool option below Timeline window - Make sure clip selected - Select CAMERA - Stabilize
* Left Timeline Lock Track and Auto Enable
* ••• show audio wave form
* Audio Alt Click to add key frames to audio track
* Copy to other clips EDIT page right click copy the paste attributes Colour Correction
* Add Black - Tools / Generator / Solid Colour EDIT page
* Add Text - Tools / Titles / Text EDIT page
* WARNING small double arrows in box on left of timeline turns jump to next edit on and off
* Separate audio from video clink the link icon in EDIT page
* TRANSFORM / CROP / DYNAMIC ZOOM / ANNOTATE use EDIT page. Click on clip select option from small rectangle at bottom left of timeline window.




Audio
* To show waveforms select in options in top left of Timeline in EDIT page
* Separate audio from video clink the link icon in EDIT page


Colour Grading
* Choose Color TAB
* Colour Wheels (Third Tool)
* Adjust Highlights / Middle Tones / Shadows
    * Using Color wheels 1st (Primary Wheels) and 3rd (Log) Options.
    * Measure in Scopes Waveform Monitor
* Targeted Saturation
    * Choose Curves and third option Hue Vs Sat
    * Select the first tool (Curves)
    * Select color on video  you want to saturate/desaturate
    * Adjust up or down in Hue Vs Sat Graph.
* Global Saturation - Move mid line up or down
* Copy to other clips EDIT page right click copy the paste attributes Colour Correction  (or)
* In timeline window in colour tab right click image and select GRAB STILL then go to GALLERY find clip you want to copy to and right click then APPLY GRADE
* White balance in first of colour wheels screen select eyedropper bottom left and click on neutral tone in timeline view window
* Colour Rainbow top right of Timeline view shows before and after


For smooth playback of timeline / transitions etc (Very important)
* Before you edit right click on clips in Media Pool and Select GENERATE OPTIMISED MEDIA
* In the PLAYBACK menu (Top) ensure USE OPTIMISED MEDIA IF AVAILABLE is selected
* ALSO Choose Playback/Proxy Mode/Half or Quarter for smoother playback to show effects if still having problems

Prairie Chicken Posted at 2-6 08:54
Number one on my list was learning to fly a toy quad with no automatic controls. After that, a drone that hovered in place was a sweet luxury.

Not that you needed to do that, apparently. Nice video and well flown, especially for a rookie.

Funny you say that have purchased several toy drones "for the kids" over the years and totally failed to control any of them! Mini was like driving a bike with training wheels by comparison, so easy to fly!

Thanks heaps for the encouraging comments  

Navy_Tech Posted at 2-6 14:55
Nice work ... I was wondering how the MM performed .. looks great Thx .

Thank you! For my first ever drone and the price I'm really impressed.

Fantastic, love the tension created by the music crescendo!

InspektorGadjet Posted at 2-7 03:20
Fantastic, love the tension created by the music crescendo!

Thanks Inspektor possibly by luck than good management I had pretty short runs with drone  (mainly cos I was a little nervous) so didn't have a lot of footage to time too much with music but can't wait to really tune in to a sound track with timings. Thanks heaps.

DAFlys Posted at 2-6 02:29
thanks Bussty.   Have you joined the drone community on instagram yet - http://www.instagram.com/DAFlysdrones

No I haven't...there is even more help out there? I'll give this a look. Cheers

Bussty Posted at 2-7 03:25
Thanks Inspektor possibly by luck than good management I had pretty short runs with drone  (mainly cos I was a little nervous) so didn't have a lot of footage to time too much with music but can't wait to really tune in to a sound track with timings. Thanks heaps.

I feel you, my first flights werent enjoyable, I am a nervous person by nature, also a bit scared of heights, looking up at the mini made me so nervous... lol, but it gets better.
Good job and starting point, you will only improve!

Bussty Posted at 2-5 20:52
Thanks so much. Really enjoyed your Yucca Valley video, have subbed too. Been meaning to ask those rocks looked like they would go rolling at the slightest shake, do you have problems with them?

They looked pretty secure

I love the cinematic style!

Gear: Mavic Mini, Osmo Pocket

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLwHnimIlVBbHA-_oWvAnw

Get 1 month free music for your videos: referral link
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Bussty, great scenery!  Nice video, thanks for sharing.  

A very impressive first video

Thanks for sharing, nice video.

Wow that was beautiful!  You set the bar high for first efforts!

Bussty Posted at 2-7 03:07
Lol you and I look to be at pretty much the same spot on this journey. You are doing really well for a first video and if that is coming out of the DJI app...wow! Love how you included stills, that's a great idea as the Mini takes great stills too.

Best advice with Davinci is to watch a couple of beginner videos and just dive in! Trial and Error a great teacher :-) I found most of my compiling was in the CUT page which allows you to really precisely line things up. Here's some notes I keep in Evernote if it helps (still learning!)

Thanks for the details ... will try this weekend !!!

nice video!

Excellent job for first!