03 / Drone

CASA licensed drone pilot, and a cinematographer flying it.

Remote pilot licence and ReOC, $20M public liability, and fifteen years of framing shots on the ground before I ever framed one in the air.

Evan Zell in a drone pilot vest flying a DJI Inspire at sunset on a beach
Beach at dusk · DJI Inspire

What actually matters to a hirer

The approvals, not just the aircraft.

01

Controlled airspace and over people

As a ReOC certified operator I can conduct operations in controlled airspace and over people, which most drone operators cannot legally offer.

02

Night and tethered operations

One of very few operators authorised for RPAS operations at night, and for tethered operations inside controlled airspace without prior approval.

03

Approvals handled

Risk assessments, area approvals and the paperwork for city centres, near airports and restricted zones. I would rather tell you early that a shot cannot be flown than on the day.

04

Cinematic FPV

Agile FPV for indoor and outdoor one-take moves, venue fly throughs and action, alongside the conventional aircraft.

Aerial reel

Framed like a shot, not a lap of the site.

Aerial showreel2:10
Aerial showreelDrone reel

Inspire 3, Mavic 3 Cine and FPV. Controlled airspace, over people, night and tethered.

Pilot and aircraft

On site, in the air.

Evan from behind wearing a hi-vis Drone Pilot vest at a launch site
On siteLicensed RPAS pilot
A DJI Inspire drone in flight against an orange background
DJI InspireCinema aircraft
Evan and a colleague with drone controllers on a beach for a live broadcast
Live from the airShark mitigation, NSW DPI
Aerial shot over a ship at a wharf
InfrastructureAerial documentation
Aerial over an open cut mine site
Resources and industrialSite documentation
FPV drone inside an industrial building
FPV interiorsOne take fly throughs
A drone and controller on a rail corridor with a hi-vis crew behind
Rail corridorRIW card, inducted
Drone kit laid out beside a Caution Drone Activity In Progress sign
Site safetyApprovals and signage
DJI Inspire in flight above a truck depot
IndustrialFleet and logistics

Why it looks different

A cinematographer flying it, not just a drone operator.

The aircraft is the easy part. Anyone can push a stick and hover. The shot people go quiet for is a jib up while the camera tilts and the whole thing orbits the subject, three controls blended into one move, and that only comes from years of flying. Every aerial is framed like a shot in the edit rather than a lap of the site, and it cuts with the ground footage because usually I shot that too. Aerial, ground and time-lapse from one person, in one visual language, on one invoice.

Every day is different. I have flown the high safety shot over a rowing regatta for a live broadcast, progress passes over government infrastructure, and search and rescue with an infrared camera. The ones that stay with you are rarely the pretty ones.

Selected credits

Aerial work.

Transport for NSW, Sydney MetroDOP, Steadicam and drone
NSW PoliceDOP and drone, driver training
MultiplexCamera and drone, AMP Tower progress
ABC TV, CatalystDrone operations
The Morning ShowLive cross, DEJERO and LiveU
Mobile Living with Patrick DangerfieldDOP and drone, Seven Network
NSW Department of Primary IndustriesLive director, shark mitigation
Destination NSWRegional promotional series

Questions producers ask

Before you ring.

Can you fly in controlled airspace or near an airport?

Yes. As a ReOC operator I can conduct operations in controlled airspace with the right approvals in place, which most drone operators cannot legally offer. Tell me the location early and I will tell you what is flyable.

Can you fly over people, or at night?

Yes to both under the ReOC, including tethered operations in controlled airspace. Night and over people jobs need planning ahead of the day, so the sooner I know, the better.

Who handles the CASA paperwork?

I do. Risk assessments, area approvals and the applications for city centres, near airports and restricted zones. If a shot cannot be flown you will hear it early, not on the day.

What aircraft do you fly?

DJI Inspire 3, Mavic 3 Cine, Mavic 2 Pro, Mini 4 and cinematic FPV. The FPV is for one take interiors, venue fly throughs and action, the Inspire for the shots that need to cut with cinema glass.

What insurance do you carry?

$20M public liability, with certificates of currency and CASA documentation available on request the same day.

Also

The other things one booking covers.

Availability & booking

Tell me the date and the job.

Quickest way to get an answer is the phone. If I am on a shoot I will call you back the same day. Rates on request, and they depend on the day, the kit and where it is. Ring even if you are not sure it is my kind of job. Worst case you get a straight answer and the name of someone better suited.

Based at Sydney Olympic Park and Orange NSW. Available Australia wide and overseas. ABN held, fully insured, invoices as a contractor.

Call 0438 719 158 Email