The Client

Gluttony

The Challenges

Flying a drone in the CBD around multiple helipads and in the vicinity of the general public.

The Outcome

Stunning Drone Photography and Video

Earlier this year, Creative Kicks were contacted by the team at Gluttony to capture drone footage for their night dumpling market on the shore of the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr. Usually the site for the Night Noodle Market, the team behind Adelaide Fringe Festival's Gluttony venue hub took on the challenge. It's true what they say, a feast for the eyes is just as important as a feast for the taste buds. But, as with any drone shoot, capturing those breathtaking aerial photos came with its fair share of ups and downs.

Melbourne’s weather is about as unpredictable as it gets. One minute, it’s sunny, and the next, torrential rain comes out of nowhere. We had to plan our shoot times carefully, trying to catch the right light while dodging the rain. And if you’ve worked with drones, they don’t thrive in wind or rain. We planned the shoot for a Saturday night and the closing night of the markets but after a late change in the weather, we scrambled to update permits to shoot a day earlier on Friday night, and it paid dividends giving us perfect conditions - warm with light winds and a breathtaking sunset.

Another challenge? The crowd. It was PACKED! While being great for the energy and atmosphere, it meant we had to be super cautious. Maintaining smooth, wide-angle aerial shots without flying over the crowd (which was a condition of the permit) was art in itself. And with so many people about, capturing clean, high quality lower level shots required a lot of patience and timing.

In the end, the results speak for themselves. The drone captured views of Melbourne’s skyline and the bustling night market, offering the overhead of the markets layout. From above, you could see the cacopohany of colours, vibrant vendor stalls to the dishes being served, the people and the light with the drone gliding over the crowd like a silent watcher, capturing the glory of Melbourne’s food scene like never before.

From the weather and the crowds, to the technical dance of drone work, we were pushed creatively and reminded us why we love what we do. The end result was an experience, capturing a celebration of Melbourne's iconic food culture. Capturing The Downtown Dumpling Market was a delicious one for Creative Kicks Media and you better believe we ate some delicious dishes.