Planning a Drone Light Show:

What Event Organizers Should Know

By Melanie DeVincentis

Event organizers are always on the lookout for better ways to engage with an audience – seeking dynamic, impactful ways to connect with the crowd and deliver an unforgettable experience. Driven by the social media age, the need for innovation has been accelerated as audiences are regularly exposed to next-level, outrageous moments from around the world. In an era where everyone is constantly sharing, event planners work to stay ahead of the curve by continuously evolving their offerings to captivate attendees. Proven methods like fireworks and lasers choreographed to inspiring music consistently captivate audiences, leaving them amazed and impressed. Innovative event planners wanting to up the ante now have options beyond the traditional to create something fresh and exciting. Enter drone light shows.

The Next Big Thing

Recently, organizers’ eyes have turned to the sky presenting awe-inspiring drone light shows to kickstart or wrap up a message or movement with flare. Drone shows are still a novelty, breathtaking displays of which most people have yet to see in person. As technology improves, and live event production companies scale their resources, more drone shows will pop up at sporting events, festivals, amusement parks, conventions, and community gatherings.

Choosing the Right Provider

Yes, you want creative, passionate people who are as equally excited about your event as you are. A team that is ready to unleash their creativity to imagine the unimaginable and bring it to life. Yet, the basics are important when making your selection. Communication is key. It is essential to find a team that actively engages and maintains clear, consistent communication with you. Even the simplest drone show has its complexities. Each show must be tailored to your location and accurately reflect the theme of your event. It is vital to find a team that invests the time to fully understand your vision and can effectively translate it into what will work best in your space.

Along with finding a team that communicates well and is fully involved in fulfilling your visual goals, it is important to find a provider that prioritizes safety above all else and seamlessly manages the regulatory responsibilities. Beyond distancing and local government approvals, drone shows involve adhering to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations regarding airspace operations and flying unmanned aerial systems (UAS). A turn-key operation that coordinates all permitting and regulatory processes keeps your show safe, legal, and smoothly executed.

Permitting and approvals are necessary for drone shows beyond that of typical fireworks shows. For example, when planning a show near the convergence of the three rivers in downtown Pittsburgh, several groups need to be contacted, including the local fire department, the city’s special events team, the local sports authority, the police department, the county HAZMAT team, the river rescue group, local EMS, and the FAA.

The Creative Design Process

When used to their fullest potential, drone shows tell an artistic story in the sky. This further emphasizes the need to choose a provider that communicates well. A provider who not only openly shares what they are doing for you but listens intently and fully grasps the feeling of your message, your vision, and the narrative you want to share. The design process kicks off with important conversations about the key messages and goals that you want your audience to take away from your production. From there the design team uses an advanced technology platform to design your vision in line with your resources. The storyboard presents a draft representation of the show, including important transitions, shapes, images, and symbols that will appear in the sky.

Once the preliminary layout is in place, the choreography is detailed. Choreography includes programming the movement of the drones in space and outlining for timing, speed, and precision to build the visuals and animations. Licensed drone pilots can send lights into the sky to create a picture or series of pictures. To effectively tell a story through images, the sequence, transitions, and timing are just as crucial as the images themselves. Music is then programmed to sync with the drone movements, creating a stunningly cohesive experience.

Your provider should run simulations of the show using special software to test the visuals, choreography, and timing. Once the full story is prepared, good providers share a pre-visualization video with you for approval. This is your chance to see the show before the show! It’s also an opportunity to provide feedback, and to determine if all of your intended messages are well illustrated.

Budgeting Considerations

To achieve the perfect balance with your investment in a drone show, it’s essential to understand the factors driving the cost and assess the impact of your message. In terms of pricing, drone shows typically range between $18,000 and $20,000 for 100 drones. Packages can start with a minimum of 100 drones, with larger displays reaching over 1,000 drones. Currently, using 300 to 400 drones tends to offer a solid balance of impact and cost.

The quantity of drones and the amount of custom content are key factors influencing the price. Shows typically include an average of 12-15 elements, though sometimes more. A higher percentage of custom content tends to increase the cost, while using more stock visuals with some custom elements can help keep the price lower. Your drone show provider will discuss with you what can be done with the number of drones your budget will allow.

Location matters. The physical location of your show may require additional logistic planning and may include: traffic control, special permitting, and approvals. The parameters you set regarding venue size, story complexity, and messaging will determine what can be done within your budget.

The Future of Drone Light Shows

The sky’s the limit - pun intended! Drone technology is new and rapidly evolving. As with any new technology, improvements in capability, design, and efficiency will continue to surface in the near term. Currently, the popularity of drone shows is on the rise. An exciting way to make an event or show sizzle and drive buzzworthy attention is to enhance the production with pyrotechnics. Companies specializing in drones or fireworks are joining forces to deliver a complete experience to customers. In this already competitive market, both providers are pushing the envelope, continually raising the bar to enhance their offerings and win your business. A perfect solution is finding one provider that excels in both!

It’s incredibly exciting to combine these two skills to create innovative displays that were simply impossible just a few years ago. Looking ahead, you’ll see drones with enhanced capabilities, longer shows powered by extended battery life, and new tricks and innovations. The technology is rapidly evolving, and you’ll get to witness its growth and development in real time.

Choosing Drones

If you’re ready to make magic in the sky, be mindful that planning a drone light show requires careful attention to detail, communication, and an understanding of the factors that impact both the cost and the creative process. With the right provider, drone shows offer a powerful and innovative way to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. As the technology continues to advance, drone displays will only become more versatile and awe-inspiring, generating new possibilities for storytelling in the sky. Event organizers who embrace this emerging trend will have the opportunity to create truly unforgettable experiences.

Melanie DeVincentis is on the communications team for Live Events, a full-service event production company that includes Pyrotecnico. Pyrotecnico, known for its stunning fireworks displays and special effects offerings, has recently added drone light shows to its arsenal of in-house capabilities. Melanie shares an insider’s look at what to consider during the vendor selection process for drones.

Since 1889, Pyrotecnico has been creating memorable moments on every scale, from intimate family gatherings to large-scale festivals, arenas, and stadiums. Whether they’re telling stories in the sky, amplifying the energy at sporting events, or delivering surprise and delight at concerts, their goal is to leave a lasting impact. Pyrotecnico is proud to be part of the Live Events house of brands, which includes a powerful mix of the best in end-to-end live event production: Active Production & Design, Delicate Productions, Gemini Light Sound Video, and Zenith Lighting. With the largest fireworks inventory in the country and the distinction of being one of the only providers to offer both drone light shows and fireworks in-house, the company is uniquely positioned to bring your vision to life with limitless creative possibilities.