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John Falchetto, the award-winning cinematographer and CEO of Quest Films, has pioneered a transformative approach that leverages AI-powered drones coupled with LiveU technology. Falchetto encapsulates the essence of this innovation, stating,
“Less-is-more in live remote production and A.I coupled to 5G promises less. The less gear needed on location, the less there is to pack up, carry up, set up and power up to quickly capture live aerial video footage.“
This paradigm shift not only reduces the logistical burden but also enhances the efficiency and immediacy of capturing breaking news. In this article, we delve into Falchetto’s groundbreaking method and explore how AI-powered drones are revolutionizing news and television production, bringing audiences closer to real-time events than ever before.
PH: Can you share the inspiration and development process behind integrating LiveU technology with AI-powered drones? What sparked the idea, and how did you bring it to life?
John Falchetto: I have a background in TV journalism, starting with AP in the early 2000s in the Cairo, Egypt office and covering the Middle East for years. In 2012 I was a freelance DP and saw the emergence of drones as a great solution for affordable and easy to deploy aerial video, at a time when expensive helicopters were still the norm. I always tried to find novel ways to lighten the equipment required to allow crews to work faster.
During my Masters in Journalism and in my following professional experience I focused on ENG (Electronic News Gathering)/EFP (Electronic Field Production). This allowed me to understand the needs and challenges of live news broadcasts. Both my technical-oriented classes and my experience on the ground gave me the basis to innovate new technological solutions for live news broadcasts.
In addition to my formal academic training, I also hold a commercial pilot license. During my training, I acquired knowledge in flight operations, performance, flight planning, navigation, aerodynamics, and communications technology. This expertise in understanding flight operations blended with a knowledge of ENG requirements allowed me to successfully build the first HD video drone in the UAE in 2012. This home-built drone carried one of the first HD Dslr, the Canon 5D Mk3 with a flight time of 15 minutes.
I captured the Red Bull team base jumping into the world’s second largest cave. Then numerous brands approached me to shoot their TV commercials, the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin with the landing of a car on top of Burj Al Arab helipad in Dubai, the launch of the new Jaguar XJ with a race between the Jaguar and the flying Jetman, the crossing of the Saudi desert with the Bentley Continental GT V8.
Thanks to my unique creation, I was regularly sought out for capturing aerial video content for movies, documentaries, television series, and government-related video productions as a cinematographer using drone technology for lead, starring, or critical roles. I was approached by major feature productions such as “Bang Bang”, Bollywood’s 35th largest-grossing film in history. I was also sought out for “2+4=24”, a documentary during the COVID-19 pandemic that had 30 million viewers in the first month alone. I was also hired for “Top Gear”, a television series on BBC that had 5 million viewers in the UK alone.
I worked for major brands for commercials, including building a special drone to deliver coffee for the world’s second-largest coffee maker (Costa Coffee), Jaguar, and Bentley vehicles, among other commercial projects. I was also contracted by government-related organizations for high profile nationally important projects that captured the building of the world’s 7th largest flagpole and a world-famous artist covering a 10-story building with his artwork.
During those shows or commercials I was looking at ways to set up a live feed from the drone, however, both the drone and the live feed technology weren’t as developed as they are now. The setup always required the deployment of large-scale assets and many technicians to operate them. I was looking for an elegant solution that could be used by a small crew with minimal equipment.
After receiving a 0-1 visa for exceptional ability in aerial cinematography, I joined Quest Films in Atlanta, GA. Since I arrived at Quest Films I have been working on ways for AI Powered Drone with 5G LiveU technology to capture aerial-based real-time video footage.
PH: How is this innovative technology enhancing the immediacy and quality of breaking news delivery? Can you provide some examples of situations where it has made a significant impact?
John Falchetto: In the age of A.I (Artificial Intelligence) and disinformation spreading on social media, the importance of providing live video about current events has never been greater. Our solution which facilitates the spread of live video content and capturing live aerial footage is aligned with the White House’s vision for “the world’s technological and digital future is free, open, secure, and aligned with respect for democratic principles and human rights.”
2024 is a crucial election year in the USA, with disinformation front and center of this year’s political campaigns. Some have already used A.I to create credible fake images and voices of candidates. Locally in Georgia, the House voted to approve legislation that attempts to stop the spread of misinformation from deceptive videos impersonating candidates.
Live video content will help journalists provide real-time fact-checking, expert analysis and contextualization, and a rapid response to disinformation campaigns. Live content serves as a platform for promoting media literacy and critical thinking skills among viewers. By highlighting the importance of verifying information, evaluating sources, and questioning the validity of claims, live broadcasts help empower individuals to become more discerning consumers of information and less susceptible to disinformation.
The AI Powered drones used in the capture of live news, TV, and events are AI Powered drones that can use sensors and cameras to analyze data which can help them identify objects and terrain features, and make decisions like where to fly, how to avoid obstacles, and how to complete their mission.
AI also helps the AI Powered Drone offer automatic recognition and tracking of a single object. This can be very valuable for a one-person operation. Whilst the AI engine helps the AI Powered Drone in tracking a person or vehicle on the ground, and keeps it in frame, the operator can focus on the Live Feed or the finer details of the shot. AI-powered AI Powered drones equipped with AI-powered cameras can also automatically adjust camera settings to optimize image quality based on the scene or subject being captured.
Finally, the aerial news content that we are capturing would often have previously been inaccessible due to the large-scale equipment, required team of professionals onsite in inaccessible or unsafe locations, and/or other logistics constraints.
I built upon my previous success of using drone technology to capture aerial video footage by combining AI-powered drones and 5G Live U technology as described above. I capitalized on my background in aviation and live news broadcasts to find a solution to facilitate aerial live news videos. My solution provides an elegant solution that allows for real-time coverage, whilst being cost-effective, improving safety and accessibility. Some of the past, current, and planned notable high profile internationally followed projects where I have used my cutting-edge solution of AI-powered drones and 5G LiveU technology include:
- My first use of AI-powered drones and 5G Live U technology in the field of my new solution was during the 2023 booking at the Atlanta County jail of former president Trump. The live images were broadcasted through French news agency AFP, to some 151 countries in six languages: French, English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Arabic. The live images were shared among AFP’s clients, some 2,975 subscribers in all categories, including companies, media, and institutions.
- Court TV and Scripps News, Murdaugh hearing January 2024 Columbia, SC. Live broadcast news. During the court hearing of the much-publicized South Carolina vs Murdaugh murder case in Columbia, South Carolina, Mr. I was on assignment with Court TV to cover the hearing. The integration of live drone video HD feeds with the correspondent’s live commentary allowed Court TV studios to provide viewers with an unprecedented level of access to real-time information. enhanced visual context that static cameras simply cannot provide. The ability to capture aerial perspectives grants viewers a better understanding of the geographical layout, crowd dynamics, and any potential incidents outside the courthouse. This added visual context not only improves the overall viewing experience but also enhances public understanding of the trial’s environment. In this case hours before the courthouse doors opened at 8:30 am on Monday, long lines of journalists and court watchers had formed around the block. The drone video allowed the public to understand the level of interest this hearing was creating in the nation, as some people in line had driven from out of state to watch the hearing. The unfiltered nature of live feeds allows viewers to form their own opinions based on real-time information, reducing the risk of misinformation and promoting trust in media coverage. Tmy transparency is particularly crucial during high-profile trials where the public interest is intense.
- Oxygen True Crime (NBC Universal) was filmed with AI-powered drones and LiveU tech. My new 10-episode true-crime series will air on Oxygen True Crime and Peacock in the summer. In each episode of PHILADELPHIA HOMICIDE, Host and Detective Chris McMullin recounts the most compelling murder cases in America’s birthplace. A live video feed allowed Producers in L.A. and Orlando to watch the filming as it happened from their offices and provide instant feedback.
- My most recent work has been viewed by millions of viewers throughout the United States and around the world. For example, the aerial filming of the Hulu TV docu-series is available to potentially 115 million viewers who watch ad-supported content. The Former President Trump’s trial has been broadcasted by Agence France Presse has 2.0M subscribers and also gets distributed to large television networks around the world covering 151 countries with 201 offices and 50 local correspondents. The Murdagh trial on Court TV and Scripps News has 500,000 viewers.
PH: In what ways do you envision AI-powered drones and LiveU technology transforming TV production? What broader implications do you see for the media sector as a whole?
John Falchetto: Before the use of AI-powered drones, providing aerial footage for TV and feature productions involved various traditional methods. Capturing video footage for news, movie productions often used unsafe and expensive equipment such as helicopters and moving cranes to capture aerial-based still or action scenes requiring teams of human operators. In terms of safety, the use of helicopters had the risk of the helicopter malfunctioning and/or crashing while trying to capture aerial-based action scenes.
The AI Powered Drone operator can remain in a safe location as the AI Powered Drone uses AI to autonomously navigate aerial terrain to capture the intended video content whether still or moving eliminating the previous safety risks inherent in the use of helicopters and cranes. In terms of accessibility, live aerial-based scenes were often off-limits to helicopters requiring permits or otherwise hazardous conditions for a helicopter or a crane to access. Since AI-powered drones are unmanned, the consequences of a malfunctioned or crashed AI AI-powered drone do not lead to the risk of injury or loss to human beings. Moreover, as mentioned above, AI operated AI Powered drones utilizing LiveU 5G technology can access hard to get to locations to capture aerial-based live coverage more reliably, ultimately making AI Powered drones and LiveU technology safer and more accessible compared to traditional methods of using cranes and helicopters to capture aerial live video coverage.
Below are some examples of shows where this technology was used recently.
- February 2024, live aerial filming of the new Hulu TV docu-series “It’s All Country” in Nashville, TN, with Luke Bryan and Kane Brown.
- March 2024, live aerial filming of the new Peacock/Oxygen true crime series “Deadly Waters with Captain Lee” in various locations across the US.
- April 2024, live TV production filming for the new Oxygen True Crime TV series “Philly Homicide”
At Quest Films we believe less is more in live remote production and A.I. coupled to 5G promises less. The less gear needed on location, the less there is to pack up, carry up, set up, and power up to quickly capture live aerial video footage.
PH: One of the key advantages of this technology is its ability to reduce the carbon footprint of production. Can you elaborate on how it achieves this and the environmental benefits it brings?
John Falchetto: Movie and Commercial studio production crews and directors can receive real-time aerial footage remotely without needing to be onsite while avoiding costly equipment and production crews traveling onsite. News studios receive real-time aerial video shots without the need to send out teams of camera crews, helicopters, or aerial cranes. Large-scale live events also avoid having large crews and require expensive equipment to capture aerial-based live video content.
Historically, for news outlets, movie and production studios, and large-scale real-time live events to capture aerial-based video content they needed to transport their video crews and large-scale equipment onsite. In the case of news outlets, and movie and commercial studios, the transportation of these crews and equipment could be throughout the United States and the world, which has significant financial and logistics costs. Paying large teams of crew members that include camera operators, journalists, directors, production crews and supporting staff requires covering expenses for travel and time away from local projects. Large-scale equipment would need to be rented including helicopters, cranes, trucks with large satellite feeds, and other needed equipment. Moreover, ensuring all the video crew was available at the exact time of the planned shooting created logistical challenges often increasing the risk of scheduling delays further increasing the costs. Each of the above methods for capturing live aerial video required teams of camera crews and/or large-scale equipment. Transporting crews and large-scale equipment was not only expensive, it created logistical challenges to transport large-scale equipment to the location of the event.
With our solution, we are eliminating the need for teams of production crews and equipment to be deployed ultimately providing aerial-based real-time video footage to news studios, movie and commercial production crews, and large-scale live events throughout the United States in real-time. This ultimately saves news outlets and movie production companies as well as large-scale live events significant cost savings while avoiding logistical challenges in transporting crews of camera operators and support staff.
The logistical benefits also have nationally important environmental benefits. The US government has emphasized the importance of tackling the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The National Climate Task Force has set a goal of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels in 2030. Our setup allows studio and network executives to view live a scene or an action sequence being filmed in a remote location. This not only reduces the overhead costs for the production budget but also helps cut down on the greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise have been generated by these executives traveling to the film set.
PH: Besides environmental benefits, what are the cost-saving advantages of using AI-powered drones and LiveU technology? How does this technology streamline production processes?
John Falchetto: AI-powered drones and LiveU technology significantly streamline production processes, particularly in media production, TV, and feature film productions. AI-powered drones bring precision and consistency to filming a scene or repeating a take. AI algorithms enable drones to capture precise and consistent shots, reducing human error and ensuring high-quality footage. AI-powered drones also have dynamic tracking which allows them to autonomously follow subjects, maintaining the focus and framing without the need for manual control. With pre-programmed flight paths, AI-powered drones can follow pre-programmed flight paths to capture specific shots repeatedly which is perfect for taking several takes of the same scene.
Finally, advanced AI systems allow drones to navigate complex environments safely, avoiding obstacles and minimizing the risk of collisions.
When AI-powered drones and LiveU technology are used together, they offer several combined benefits, the remote production allows producers to manage multiple live feeds from a central location, streamlining the production process and reducing the need for on-site personnel. By reducing the need for satellite trucks and extensive on-site setups, AI-powered drones with LiveU technology lower production costs.
Moreover, the solution maximizes efficiency in dynamic environments, AI-powered drones can quickly reach and cover areas that are difficult or dangerous for humans, while LiveU ensures that the footage is broadcast live without delay.
The combination of AI-powered (drones) and seamless live streaming (LiveU) creates an integrated workflow, simplifying the production process from field to broadcast.
AI-powered drones and LiveU technology together streamline production processes by enhancing the quality, efficiency, and flexibility of data collection, filming, and broadcasting. They reduce costs, accelerate timelines, and open up new possibilities for coverage and analysis, making them invaluable tools in modern production environments.
PH: In an age where large corporations are increasingly required to provide CSR reports, how is your technology helping them meet these goals? Can you share some feedback you’ve received from industry leaders?
John Falchetto: Production companies are delighted with the solution both from the CSR aspect and for their production budgets. An EIC from an LA production company recently told me that “this (our solution) is a game changer, especially when a production team must be offsite and when it may be challenging to have reliable internet or cellular connections to stream the coverage. From a producer’s standpoint, your innovation is a significant contribution of major significance for production teams. Your solution can reliably capture and stream aerial-based video footage with minimal equipment and expenses in conditions where access to network communications has historically been unreliable.”
Another EP also commented by saying “ Your use of 5GliveU technology with AI-powered drones to capture aerial video footage enables production teams to remain offsite while having a bird’s eye view in real-time without leaving their offices, this is great as lining up everyone’s schedules was always a challenge!”
PH: What challenges did you encounter while developing and implementing this method, and how did you overcome them? Are there any ongoing challenges that you’re currently addressing?
John Falchetto: We faced some technical challenges in the AI programming of the drones and also with the fact that the drones would only output a Progressive signal when broadcast news is using Interlaced as a standard. But we found simple and elegant solutions to overcome these challenges.
PH: Are there any upcoming projects or innovations that you’re particularly excited about?
John Falchetto: Yes, we are starting work on a new TV show in July which will take us across 6 different states in the United States with producers in LA and Atlanta. This will see us come up with new solutions to ensure the remote team can view the drone live shots, especially when they are in areas with low cell coverage.
For these shots in secluded locations, we will be using a Starlink satellite internet connection to ensure the LiveU feed isn’t cut off.
PH: What advice would you give to aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs in the field of cinematography and media production who are looking to integrate new technologies into their work?
John Falchetto: For aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs in cinematography and media production, I would say always think about how to integrate new technologies that weren’t originally used for this specific purpose. Watch how this will open up new opportunities!
Of course, always stay updated on emerging technologies (read ProductionHub!), go to industry events, invest in training and educating yourself (there are so many resources online now), and collaborate with tech experts, software developers, VR/AR specialists, AI engineers to integrate new technologies into your projects effectively.
Integrating new technologies into cinematography and media production requires a balance of technical skills, creative vision, and business acumen. By staying informed, embracing innovation, focusing on storytelling, and leveraging digital platforms, you can create compelling content and carve out a niche in this field.
You can learn more about John by visiting his profile on ProductionHUB, or on the Quest FIlms website.
You can learn more about how LiveU is impacting the public safety sector using drones and other technologies for situational awareness here.
