Ridley Scott is widely recognized as one of the best living film directors, bringing his unique highly concentrated visual style to beloved films like Blade Runner, Gladiator, and The Martian. He is known for combining this style with historical accuracy in films like 2023’s Napoleon starring. With a $200 million budget and box-office earnings of only $137 million, technically, Napoleon was a flop. Still, critics hailed it as a masterpiece, and it received 44 award nominations with 5 wins, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.

One of the teams that contributed to this nomination was Visualskies, world-renowned photogrammetry experts. Founded in 2015 by Ross Dannmayr and Joseph Steel, Visualskies uses a collection of drones and ground equipment equipped with LiDAR to create the best in 3D/4D images. They have used drones for “scanning anything from ancient forests, discovering lost cities with National Geographic, famous footballers for FIFA through to historic buildings for conservation and myriad VFX assets for feature films, games and television,” the company website states. It was Visualskies’ expertise in invisible VFX that made them the perfect fit for Ridley Scott’s Napoleon.

Most audiences are familiar with the concept of VFX, visual effects, in film. For modern filmmaking, it is an essential technique. The difference between regular VFX and invisible VFX is that with the latter, the effects are so seamlessly blended into the final imagery that they are completely imperceptible to audiences. For Napoleon, Visualskies used drones to create an invisible VFX army of 10,000 battling soldiers with only 100 actors. “We employed advanced Sony cameras for both terrestrial and aerial photogrammetry, capturing high-resolution data that was essential in elevating the film’s visual storytelling,” explains Dora Schluttenhofer Lees, Visualskies’ producer. “By precisely scanning costumes, props, and set pieces, we created high-fidelity digital replicas that were used to enhance scenes in post-production, ensuring continuity and realism.”

“As for DJI airframes, they’re our go-to for aerial photogrammetry due to their reliability and robust performance,” Dora went on to say. “These drones handle high winds and challenging environments with ease, ensuring consistent and stable flights. This allows us to gather high-quality data in diverse locations, from rugged terrains to bustling urban areas.” Over the last decade, drones have become indispensable filming tools, allowing directors to provide a different point of view that can completely change the tone of a project. Additionally, drones can significantly reduce a director’s budget expenses.

To put it into perspective, renting an IMAX camera for one week’s worth of filming can cost approximately $16,000, while purchasing the camera would cost well over $500,000. A DJI Matrice drone, like the one used by Visualskies, can be purchased for less than the cost of renting an IMAX camera for one week. Many drone operators will use the high-quality camera that comes with the drone. However, for the quality of VFX required for the projects Visualskies creates, they added a higher quality, yet still affordable, camera to the drone. For example, Sony’s flagship camera, the Alpha 1, is one of the most advanced off-the-shelf cameras available, with a starting price of only $6,500.

While most audiences might think drones only provide unique visual points of view, companies like Visualskies are proving that drone technology can be used beyond just aerial shots. Working on projects like Napoleon, House of the Dragon, and Captain America, Visualskies uses drones to provide aerial imagery and create worlds that can only be achieved in post-production. “There’s a common misconception that CGI and other digital technologies might replace traditional filmmaking methods,” Visualskies says. “However, our work in Napoleon demonstrates the harmony between technology and craftsmanship. 3D scanning does not supplant physical design and creation; instead, it enhances and complements it, allowing filmmakers like Ridley Scott to push the boundaries of storytelling.”

Using drone-enhanced invisible VFX was key to Ridley Scott’s vision. He is famous for wanting the audience to feel immersed in a scene and often says he chooses not to rely heavily on special effects, instead allowing actors and stunt performers to fully encapsulate a moment. But when it came to presenting an authentic version of one of Napoleon’s battles, VFX was the best option. “Compared to other Ridley Scott films, Napoleon stands out for its subtle yet effective use of VFX,” Visualskies adds. “The film’s reliance on invisible VFX, particularly 3D scanning, sets a new standard in the industry, demonstrating how digital technologies can enhance rather than overpower the storytelling process.”

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