Richmond drone pilot behind new Cirque du Soleil video

Not your typical desktop view.

Not everyone can say he filmed on the roof of Vancouver’s BC Place stadium, but one drone pilot from Richmond is definitely bragging about the feat.

Richmond resident Amiel De Guzman is the pilot behind the drone footage in Cirque Du Soleil’s latest video.

The video showed an aerial view of popular circus actors and performers performing acrobatic moves atop BC Place.

De Guzman told the Richmond News that it was a special moment to be physically on the roof of BC Place because few people could access the place.

“It’s not every day that I get to legally fly a drone over one of British Columbia’s most iconic landmarks,” De Guzman said, adding that it was an “exhilarating experience.” .

Timing, he said, is key when filming with a drone and the artists knew exactly how and when to pose for the camera, which made the job easier.

“I only had a small window to work with when I took the FPV drone shots (first person view) and luckily was able to get the necessary shots at the last minute.”

De Guzman, who is a full-time driver’s license examiner, has been flying drones for nine years and said his passion for drones started as a hobby.

There had been growing interest in remote control toys since he was a child, but when he laid eyes on his first remote control helicopter, his curiosity grew from there.

“One day while on a lunch break at my day job, I quickly searched Craigslist for drone toys and that’s when I first saw a DJI Phantom 1 drone,” did he declare.

“I literally rode it everywhere and every chance I got. That’s when I realized it was something I could enjoy doing while making money.

However, as exciting as piloting a drone can be for him, De Guzman said the opportunity to film for Cirque du Soleil with his brother Corim, a full-time videographer, is something he won’t forget. not.

“It was a unique opportunity for my brother and I to be able to film together for a big client while showcasing the best views in Vancouver,” Amie said.

The De Guzman brothers have worked together as a drone and film duo, under the name Aerial Vibe, at every possible opportunity.

And filming for Cirque Du Soleil was a major bucket list item they can finally tick off.

“Being able to film for Cirque du Soleil was a once in a lifetime experience. I was very grateful for this opportunity and the whole experience left me speechless,” Corim said.

“I’ve always wanted to watch Cirque du Soleil, but never had the chance. So being able to film (for) them was almost like having a private show just for us.

Comments are closed.