TDD Collaborator Spotlight: Bailey Galvin-Scott

When it comes to drone video production, safety and legal compliance play a crucial part. That’s why we always work with certified Part 107 licensed drone pilots. The FAA’s Part 107 certification ensures that our pilots are trained to operate drones safely and in accordance with all regulations. This minimizes the risk of accidents and ensures the highest standards are maintained for every project we work on. Getting the best shots without compromising safety or legal obligations is paramount to the success of each narrative we create.

We LOVE working with Bailey Galvin-Scott, a Part 107 pilot and trusted TDD collaborator. We recently sat down with Bailey for a little Q&A to learn more about the intricacies of what he does for TDD, and how drones have become so impactful in authentic storytelling.

What type of drones do you use, and why?

I operate a variety of drones, each selected for its unique flight characteristics and cinematic capabilities. My primary drone is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, a compact yet powerful system equipped with three different lenses and an impressive 40-minute flight time. Its ability to capture consistently cinematic, ultra-stable footage makes it an essential tool for every shoot.

Additionally, I utilize FPV (First Person View) drones, which offer unparalleled speed, agility, and low-altitude maneuverability. These drones require FPV goggles, providing a real-time perspective from the drone’s viewpoint. They are particularly effective for tracking fast-moving subjects or executing complex indoor flight paths. One of my favorite parts of a production is deciding which drones to use for the job.

What safety protocols do you follow before, during, and after a drone flight?

Executing a successful drone operation requires pre-flight planning and on-site safety protocols. Before each shoot, I conduct an airspace assessment, determining whether the location is flight-approved, its proximity to airports or obstacles, and any existing Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). If necessary, I apply for airspace authorizations in advance.

On the day of the shoot, I perform a comprehensive pre-flight check, which includes inspecting weather conditions, verifying battery health and propeller integrity, and confirming that the drone is in optimal working condition. During flight, I actively monitor the drone’s camera feed while also keeping a visual line of sight (VLOS) with the drone. Maintaining full situational awareness of surrounding air and ground activity is also critical. After each flight, I conduct a post-flight inspection to ensure continued operational safety.

How do you ensure compliance with FAA regulations and other local laws (like airspace restrictions)?

Understanding and complying with airspace classifications is critical when planning a drone shoot. Nearly all airspace is controlled and much of it requires some level of authorization before flight. Various platforms provide airspace data, which is helpful in determining the necessary approvals.

For flights near airports, I check for LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) approval, which enables automated flight clearance in designated areas and notifies local Air Traffic Control (ATC) of drone activity. If LAANC authorization is unavailable, I assess the safety of the area and, if appropriate, request manual flight clearance from local authorities.

Can you explain your approach to planning drone shots for a TDD production?

My goal for every TDD production is to use drones to capture compelling, purposeful imagery that enhances the visual storytelling. Aerial cinematography is not just about height, it’s about perspective. Depending on the needs of the scene, the drone may be positioned for a wide, expansive view, or it may be flown at low altitudes to create an immersive, dynamic shot. Each movement is carefully considered to complement the tone and narrative of the project.

Can you provide examples of how drone footage has enhanced the storytelling of past TDD projects?

Drones have fundamentally transformed visual storytelling, providing unique and – in many cases – previously inaccessible perspectives. For example, while filming Camphill Village, we utilized drones to capture intimate, yet unobtrusive footage, allowing us to film from a distance without disrupting the village occupants.

In other cases, we've used FPV drones to create immersive and continuous flythroughs of large office spaces, providing an engaging and visually distinctive tour. We've used drones to track monkeys from treetops in the Costa Rican jungle, as well as to follow electric camper vans along the northern shores of Michigan. A drone on set can serve as a camera car, crane, dolly, steadicam, even a helicopter. Its versatility is endless. At TDD, the drone is ten camera systems in one!

How do you collaborate with the TDD production team to align drone shots with the overall creative vision?

TDD's mantra is authentic storytelling. A drone in the air serves as the objective anchor in a visual narrative. Traditional ground-based cameras guide the viewer focus and emotion with intimate shows and subjective camera movements. A drone shot on the other hand provides scale, grounding the subject of the film into the broader landscape. Using these two approaches – combining them or pitting them against each other – is what makes them so powerful together. TDD uses these layers to let the audience experience a story on both a grand and intimate scale.

How do you handle airspace restrictions or no-fly zones during a production?

In certain cases, filming locations may fall within restricted airspace, requiring additional permissions to operate legally. I address this challenge through careful pre-production planning, utilizing sectional airspace maps to determine the necessary approvals. If the location requires a special permit, I submit applications well in advance to avoid delays or legal complications. For last-minute location changes, I rely on real-time airspace applications to assess flight legality and, when necessary, quickly apply for on-the-spot LAANC authorizations. If a location is entirely restricted, I work with the production team to develop alternative solutions that achieve the desired shot while maintaining compliance with aviation regulations.

Can you describe a memorable or unique drone shot you’ve captured that helped elevate a story?

One of my favorite shots was captured with TDD high up in the Andean Cloud forest in Ecuador. We used FPV drones to capture sweeping visuals of the mossy cliffs and forests, and because of the drones speed and agility, we were able to fly alongside an Ecuadorian Hawk. As the speaker in the film is talking about the biodiversity of the area, we are soaring through the mountains and alongside the animals in the most immersive way to tell the story possible.

I love flying drones. It's a hobby turned profession that I've been learning for over 15 years. There is nothing quite like the freedom of seeing this world from a bird’s eye perspective. Whether it be the backyard of my house or a far off land, when the drone launches, I feel a deep sense of exploration.