Mini 4 Pro Almost Crashed My DJI Mini 4 Pro in Sport Mode - But Got Stunning Lake Champlain Footage!

[AZAV8R]

Truly superb! I got into drone cinematography just a few months ago. While I'm proud of my first productions, yours shows me I've much to learn! I love your cross-fades for scene transitions. Do you mind sharing the timing you're using?

 

[trisen1981]

Truly superb! I got into drone cinematography just a few months ago. While I'm proud of my first productions, yours shows me I've much to learn! I love your cross-fades for scene transitions. Do you mind sharing the timing you're using?

Sure - these are simple 120 frames transitions in 60 FPS timeline - so basically 2 seconds cross dissolve. It works best on aerial shots if the horizon is matched.

I would suggest using Davinci Resolve - they have free version as well with lots of capabilities beyond basic edits.

In this edit for instance there is one time-lapse clip as well where there is a flight towards the sun above the river and then the drone goes upwards. I shot Dji timelaps as well but that was looking so bad - so instead I took long normal flights speeded it up like 600 % and lso added motion blur and motion trails to avoid jittery no motion blur look - so at the end it is looking more like a hi speed flight rather than timelaps with sharp shutter.

I am working in VFX and trying to apply my knowledge in this Drone land (or air I would say)

 

[Letmefly]

Ive seen your videos on Youtube. You are amazing! Nice stuff.
Using Davinci Resolve "cross dissolve" a duration of 1 sec at 30 fps

 

[trisen1981]

Ive seen your videos on Youtube. You are amazing! Nice stuff.
Using Davinci Resolve "cross dissolve" a duration of 1 sec at 30 fps

Thank you! With each edit, my goal is to tell a story. In this particular piece, I wanted to capture the serene beauty of nature. The post-production process started with the music- making it in Suno, which took around 30 iterations plus some additional refinements. From there, I built the edit around the soundtrack, adding transitions, color grading, noise reduction, and stabilization where needed. I also layered in subtle sound effects - such as the movement of a boat, wind, or birds- to complement the visuals and enhance the atmosphere.


What I truly enjoy is both capturing the footage (already envisioning how I’ll shape the edit) and then bringing it to life in post-production.

What I’d ultimately like is to return to feature film sets someday - but not as VFX Supervisor but rather as Inspire drone pilot - or boths

PS: And what is funny, my drone hobby started from sets - when I was once in Maldives on a shoot for one film- and we was using there Inspire 3

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[AZAV8R]

Sure - these are simple 120 frames transitions in 60 FPS timeline - so basically 2 seconds cross dissolve. It works best on aerial shots if the horizon is matched.

I would suggest using Davinci Resolve - they have free version as well with lots of capabilities beyond basic edits.

In this edit for instance there is one time-lapse clip as well where there is a flight towards the sun above the river and then the drone goes upwards. I shot Dji timelaps as well but that was looking so bad - so instead I took long normal flights speeded it up like 600 % and lso added motion blur and motion trails to avoid jittery no motion blur look - so at the end it is looking more like a hi speed flight rather than timelaps with sharp shutter.

I am working in VFX and trying to apply my knowledge in this Drone land (or air I would say)

Thanks for the tips! I’ve been using CapCut. Do you feel Davinci Resolve is superior?

 

[mavic3usa]

Thanks for the tips! I’ve been using CapCut. Do you feel Davinci Resolve is superior?

Feel? How about "fact."

 

[trisen1981]

Thanks for the tips! I’ve been using CapCut. Do you feel Davinci Resolve is superior?

Yes, I’d say DaVinci Resolve is more powerful overall, especially for color grading, stabilization, and advanced editing tools. It has a steeper learning curve than CapCut, but once you get comfortable, the control you have over the image and sound is on another level.


CapCut is great for quick edits, but Resolve really shines when you want a cinematic finish. If you’re thinking of moving to it, I’d recommend starting with the free version - it already includes most of the tools you’ll need.

 

[AZAV8R]

Yes, I’d say DaVinci Resolve is more powerful overall, especially for color grading, stabilization, and advanced editing tools. It has a steeper learning curve than CapCut, but once you get comfortable, the control you have over the image and sound is on another level.


CapCut is great for quick edits, but Resolve really shines when you want a cinematic finish. If you’re thinking of moving to it, I’d recommend starting with the free version - it already includes most of the tools you’ll need.

Thanks! I just installed it and will try it for my next production.

In the mean time, I'd love to get some of your feedback on one that I completed earlier. If you have the time and inclination to do so, go here:

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.

 

[trisen1981]

Thanks! I just installed it and will try it for my next production.

In the mean time, I'd love to get some of your feedback on one that I completed earlier. If you have the time and inclination to do so, go here:

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Well few things from my POV:

1. Use music to drive your edit - currently it is mostly video with music on top as is
2. Black transitions I would try to avoid personally - use some variety, there are plenty that you could use in Resolv,e paid and free .
3. You're missing bridge - orbit shot
4. Work with gimbal - currently it is static in every shot. Like fly above the bridge and tilt down. Or a top down shot flying along the bridge from the top following some car for instance
5. Some fly away backward from the bridge to the back top, showing whole ENV by slow panning horizontally while flying would be good

Those are some observations.

 

[AZAV8R]

Well few things from my POV:

1. Use music to drive your edit - currently it is mostly video with music on top as is
2. Black transitions I would try to avoid personally - use some variety, there are plenty that you could use in Resolv,e paid and free .
3. You're missing bridge - orbit shot
4. Work with gimbal - currently it is static in every shot. Like fly above the bridge and tilt down. Or a top down shot flying along the bridge from the top following some car for instance
5. Some fly away backward from the bridge to the back top, showing whole ENV by slow panning horizontally while flying would be good

Those are some observations.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I understand all aside from #1. Do you mind expounding bit?

 

[trisen1981]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond! I understand all aside from #1. Do you mind expounding bit?

like on second 17 you have this change of the music - at that point, you should do the transition to another shot.

Basically, you need music's accents\ rhythm\ theme change to drive your edit if that makes sense

 

[AZAV8R]

like on second 17 you have this change of the music - at that point, you should do the transition to another shot.

Basically, you need music's accents\ rhythm\ theme change to drive your edit if that makes sense

That makes perfect sense! Now that the outside temps are starting to fall below that of the surface of the Sun (I live in Phoenix ), I can get back out for some serious shooting. I'm going to have to hone my editing skills a bunch, as your feedback has thrown a challenge in front of that I'll enjoy rising to; it's just going to take a bit.

Appreciate the assist!