National Drone Services
Fairfax, Virginia, Fairfax
Fairfax, Virginia, Fairfax
What sets NDS apart from our competition is experience. Over a decade ago the founders of National Drone Services literally pioneered the commercial use of unmanned aerial systems for television and motion picture production. While pushing the edge of the creative application of drone technology, NDS defined the gold standard of aerial photography and opened countless doors for this amazing technology.
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What do you love most about your job?
Throughout my television career I have had the opportunity to work in some of the most exotic and interesting places on the planet…meeting people from all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, political and cultural beliefs. (At last count I think I have worked in 52 countries.) Throughout this journey, it has been my privilege to take viewers to places they have never been and to bring them images of things they may never see. Whether it is a thirty-second commercial or a global television event, for me the thrill comes from capturing experiences and turning them into stories…stories that have real meaning…and combining those stories with images that last a lifetime.
What inspired you to start your own business?
My journey into the world of drone technology began more than a decade ago in of all places television -- In my former life, I was Vice President of Production for Discovery Communications Emerging Networks Group.
Having worked in cable television production for 30 years, you learn quickly how to make the most of limited resources and limited budgets. At the time, we had been commissioned to produce one of the networks’ highest-profile action series and it was my job to make sure every dollar we spent impacted the screen. From the early stages of production planning we knew that the series required aerial cinematography, which at that time was done almost exclusively by helicopter. But unfortunately, we just didn’t have the budget for aerials.
Undeterred we started playing with the idea of mounting cameras to remote controlled helicopters. Mind you, back then “drones” were purely military equipment. We were working with single prop, collective-pitch, RC helicopters. Needless to say, it was an idea way ahead of its time with no effective way to stabilize the camera or the picture. In the end, we knew we had a solid concept, but the technology was just not where we needed it to be. But an idea for a new company, doing things a new way, was born.
In 2008, with this idea — and a contract to produce a mini-series I left Discovery and launched a production company that was a precursor to National Drone Services. And the rest, well…you know what they say!
Why should our clients choose you?
If you asked me what I think National Drone Services does best, I would say simply — putting the right people and the right technology in the right places in order to create the most effective solutions. Sometimes it’s as simple as amazing imagery for a client and sometimes it is a leap into the unknown. But I have to say — we always look forward to what’s next.
