An FPV drone video, produced by Minneapolis-based Sky Candy Studios, gives viewers behind-the-scenes access through Chicago’s iconic Wrigley Field. FPV pilot Michael Welsh flew a rig from Rotor Riot, with a GoPro camera attached, to show Chicago Cubs fans what their home field looks like from outside, as game day anticipation builds, to every possible area, including the scoreboard, inside the stadium.
‘We used a Rotor Riot Cinewhoop with a GoPro [HERO]10 for some of the shots as well as a Lumenier Qav-Pro 2.5-inch with a stripped down GoPro to keep it under 250 grams for other shots. We did a two day scout and shot for two days and coordinated everything with the Cubs Media Team,’ Welsh tells DPReview.
Welsh is seen wearing DJI’s FPV Goggles V2. Even though they were created for the original DJI FPV drone, they are compatible with many other third-party rigs.
While initially it appears to be a one-take, the smooth transitions from the pre-game entertainment outside leading up to the main attraction, all coming in at a little over 4 minutes required editing by Jake Lundell, directing by Jordan Alberino, producing by Courtney Brownsworth, and visual effects by Joe Kronenberg.
‘The video consists of 5 different takes spliced with some editing magic. It’s fun to let the viewers try and find them. The last shot on the field was on a GoPro Steady cam because we couldn’t get approval to fly that close to game time,’ Welsh continues.
The video opens with the drone trailing a Red Line train, the most direct way to get to Wrigley Field via public transit. It then heads straight through Murphy’s Bleachers pub, across the street and directly past the Fergie Jenkins statue, over streets, people, cars, and sidewalks, and finally through a fire engine’s front seat before making its way to the stadium.
Outside, you get a birds-eye-view of more tourist attractions, including a band performing, before the drone makes its way to the front entrance and prominent Wrigley Field sign. It soars over rows of seats behind home plate before making its way toward the metal halide lights that illuminate the stadium starting at dusk.
Welsh takes the viewer to places including inside a scoreboard during this 4-minute FPV masterpiece.
This is where Welsh’s skill as an FPV pilot really shines. Once the drone weaves in and out of the metal support beams holding the lights, it heads inside the stadium’s scoreboard. If you ever wondered how those numbers get changed out, now you know. As one of the number boards is removed, the drone makes its way out of the box and over the field where two players can be seen warming up.
After flying over the field where other employees are making last-minute preparations, and over another set of bleachers, the drone exits the stadium and enters the broadcast room. A woman is seen polishing a World Series trophy and then the viewer is taken on a journey through the halls that lead to the gym area and locker room.
An announcer can be heard stating ‘it’s the last game of the 2022 season’ as the drone passes a few players headed out to compete. On the way, you see a few team members warming up in an indoor batting cage before the drone trails Seiya Suzuki as he heads to his position in right field. By then, the stadium is packed with fans shouting ‘let’s go Cubbies.’
FPV videos continue to grow in popularity as they give fans behind-the-scene access with slick and speedy delivery. If you’re looking to get started with FPV, check out what we think of DJI’s Avata FPV drone. Sky Candy Studios has produced work for an impressive array of clients, and it’ll be exciting to see what they put out next.