The Advantages of Underwater Drone.
The Advantages of Underwater Drone.

The Advantages of Underwater Drone

2024-03-26
3 mins read

In this fascinating case study, the advantages of underwater drones are demonstrated. Wildlife filmmaker Antoine Drancey has been utilizing the Boxfish Luna underwater drone to film the extraordinary stunning deep underwater world.

Underwater cinematographer Antoine Drancey. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
Underwater cinematographer Antoine Drancey. Picture: Black Whale Pictures

Underwater drone vs. traditional underwater cinematography

Traditional underwater filming methods are usually time-consuming and require a lot of gear and numerous steps to start filming. Utilizing a professional cinematography drone for underwater filmmaking can eliminate health and safety issues, streamline production, and lower the cost of expeditions. Furthermore, to film underwater, you must learn diving and be an expert diver. Diving is considered an extreme sport and might become dangerous as there’s a camera that demands accurate professional operation. Many underwater divers were concentrated in the camera, and less focused on the diving equipment. That could become very quickly a life-threatening situation. Underwater drones neutralize that danger.

The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures

Boxfish Luna: An underwater drone

The Boxfish Luna is an underwater drone developed by Boxfish Robotics. The drone was introduced in 2021. “We’re creating innovative, professional underwater drone solutions that are set to revolutionize the underwater cinematography industry, similar to how aerial drones did some time ago,” says Boxfish Robotics. “In 2021, we launched our professional underwater system the Boxfish Luna for underwater filmmakers, and since then, it demonstrates what amazing results professional artists can achieve if they have access to the best tools”. The drone is tethered to the boat by a lightweight (neutrally buoyant in saltwater) fiber optical cable so there is a direct connection with the control console.

The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures

The standard length of the tether is 200m, but there is an option for even 3,000m+ long cable. Additionally, the drone utilizes advanced full-frame imaging from the Sony A7SIII or Sony ⍺1 camera and a precision optical dome to enable filmmakers to capture underwater environments with brilliant clarity. With Boxfish Luna‘s vision technology, filmmakers can record up to 4K ProRes RAW video at 30p and up to 50MP stills underwater. An optical glass dome gives impeccable image quality at shallower depths, particularly near the surface, or users can opt for a 200-mm acrylic dome for image capture up to 1,000 meters deep.

The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures

A case study

Black Whale Pictures specializes in innovative underwater filming using the Boxfish Luna, which allows filmmakers to operate the professional camera remotely from a boat, focusing solely on the shot without worrying about diving risks. This technology offers a customizable camera setup for various underwater conditions, enabling cinematographers to capture unique wildlife interactions and natural phenomena. The case study explores practical experiences, challenges, and the creative freedom the Boxfish Luna provides, highlighting its potential to revolutionize underwater cinematography.

Footage by the Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
Footage by the Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures

As mentioned by Boxfish Robotics: “We recently had the pleasure of interviewing our French filmmaking client and underwater artist and produced a case study interview about their work. The interview includes amazing underwater footage of walruses, beluga (famous beluga Hvaldimir), jellyfish, and more, along with the stories behind capturing this footage.

The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures
The Boxfish Luna underwater drone. Picture: Black Whale Pictures

Black Whale Pictures demonstrates what professionals can achieve if they have access to the best innovative tools. They push the boundaries of underwater cinematography and envision a future for underwater filmmaking by using professional drones. Watch the case study interview to learn more about the various aspects of innovative underwater filmmaking and discover the wonders of the underwater world through the underwater drone!”.

Summary

The best way to film underwater is by being underwater. However, it’s risky and this solid challenge is preserved to the best of the best divers. In order to operate a cinema camera underwater, you must be a professional diver, first and foremost. That’s why the underwater drone gives you the privilege of capturing great underwater imagery without risking your life. Note that the Boxfish Luna can’t be paired with cinema cameras. It can take only Sony mirrorless bodies with certain lenses. However, it can take it deep…very deep (hundreds of meters into the ocean).

Get the best of filmmaking!

Subscribe to Y.M.Cinema Magazine to get the latest news and insights on cinematography and filmmaking!

Yossy is a filmmaker who specializes mainly in action sports cinematography. Yossy also lectures about the art of independent filmmaking in leading educational institutes, academic programs, and festivals, and his independent films have garnered international awards and recognition.
Yossy is the founder of Y.M.Cinema Magazine.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Get the best of filmmaking!

Subscribe to Y.M.Cinema Magazine to get the latest news and insights on cinematography and filmmaking!

Get the best of filmmaking!

Subscribe to Y.M.Cinema Magazine to get the latest news and insights on cinematography and filmmaking!

Say Goodbye to Sound Designers. Meet ElevenLabs’ New AI-Generated SFX
Previous Story

Say Goodbye to Sound Designers. Meet ElevenLabs’ New AI-Generated SFX

Nikon Promises Not to Change RED‘s Current Product Lineup
Next Story

Nikon Promises Not to Change RED‘s Current Product Lineup

Latest from Educate

Go toTop

Don't Miss

Meet the 1st Underwater Full Touchscreen Diving Housing for iPhone

Meet the 1st Underwater Full Touchscreen Diving Housing for iPhone

A cool video by Ripple Training demonstrates how to shoot underwater using your iPhone, and still getting a fully functional touch interface. Meet…
Shooting Underwater With the ARRi ALEXA 35

Shooting Underwater With the ALEXA 35

When shooting underwater, you need two solid skills — Diving and camera skills! First, you have to be a master in diving, knowing…