AirStock - making money from Drone images/video

[bandarra]

Hello fellow Pilots!

I';m Andre, one of the founders of AirStock, the website that allows drone operators to upload their footage and for the rest of the world to buy it. Think of it as shutterstock or getty images, but made by drone operators for drone operators. One stop shop for awesome drone footage!

Turns out we attended a Startup Weekend event with the idea and we won! And as such we are entering the worldwide Global Startup Battle. If you like the idea please support us by voting on this link. (you can vote once per email address)

www.airstock.co/vote

Video of our entry
http://youtu.be/aMBg7PJme78

Hopefully with the help from the comunity we can be in the top3 most voted ideas and win some seed investment as well as going to Google HQ to make this a reality.
Any suggestions and comments are very welcome!

Many thanks for your support!
Andre
AirStock Team

[Jimbodiddly]

Hi Andre and welcome,

Looks like an interesting idea,  will watch this with interest.

Good luck

Jim

[Marklincs]

Interesting idea but how will you make sure pilots are sending in videos are BNUC or RPQAs certified...
or have the CAA permit for aerial work.

So for me I register and then do I have to give my BNUCs number as proof ?

While I think it could be a great thing,

last thing the guys having done the courses for the CAA Permit need is Those Not certified for aerial work need is somewhere that any one can sell their videos.

[bandarra]

Yes a lot of the legal side is still to be investigated decided. But most importantly we will always act according to good principles, licensed pilots/companies, high quality footage, release forms etc, doing things properly.

But for us to get to that stage we need everyone';s help to get to the top3 of the Global Startup Battle and make this idea a reality. :) Coming from the background of being a drone operator i really think something like this would push the industry forward.

[Michael Kheng]

You meaning the cowboys out there Mark

[bandarra]

We really value everyone';s feedback and even more important at this stage, if people think it is a half decent idea please support us by voting! every vote counts!

we are in 20th place out of 235 at the moment. We go through to the next round if we make it to the top15!

www.airstock.co/vote

[bandarra]

we need your help everyone! we are currently in 17th and need to be in the top15 to go through! check the live stats
http://gsblive.com/circle/11

please vote for us on www.airstock.co/vote       +1

[XamaX]

You meaning the cowboys out there Mark

Hmm "Cowboys"....Nice elitist approach. Unsure if I will give my support to this just yet...

[bandarra]

Guys, bear in mind Mark and Michael';s views are not AirStock';s. They are discussing and arguing over something that doesnt even exist and no one know what the best way forward is. What is certain is that by arguing over nothing instead of supporting people trying to get things done for sure we wont have enough votes on this competition and we';ll get no-where.

Should we allow everyone to put videos in AirStock? Should we allow only "license holders" to do so?
The answer is we dont know yet! But we want to find out what the best way forward is.

If you love aerial footage then its a no-brainer to support this project at this stage.

www.airstock.co/vote

Go AirStock!

[XamaX]

Hi Andre,

I can appreciate your urgency but without having the topics that have arisen addressed I feel you could be asking a lot for members of this particular Multirotor community to commit to your venture just yet.

Already your request seems to have created a heated response from just a few members here so I would appreciate an honest opinion as to how you think the licensing will affect your project. As it stands it does seem to leave a rift between the have and have nots.

I personally am not such a fan of the "red tape" aspect of licensing for professional application but then I am not out there trying to sell my work. I do it for pure enjoyment of the hobby!

I wish you well with your venture but I (as I am sure others)  would like to know your standing on this important matter so that we can make a better and more informed decision.

Kind regards.

Max (Unlicensed and unsure if I would like to be!)

(and yeah I have voted  ;D)

[flybywire]

This is a fascinating subject indeed!  It also kind of highlights the possible flaw in the CAA';s blanket ';rules'; that neatly and conveniently govern aerial photography.  Now, all you BNUC-S (and any other recognized quals) please do not think this criticism is in any way aimed at you.  I myself ran a business for some 15 years, and I know how difficult it can be, with all the legal & H&S hoops to jump through (notwithstanding all the pitfalls of the business side itself), and I feel your  frustration & pain when ';cowboy'; outfits create the inevitable ';race to the bottom'; for pricing.

My beef is this;  take the case, say I';m hooning across Bodmin moor one Sunday, just enjoying the afternoon';s fun fpv session, and of course leaving my trusty HD cam running in the process.  Say by way of coincidence, I happen to capture the elusive ';Beast'; in full glorious HD!  Now, I haven';t done anything illegal in doing this, as I';ve been a good lad and followed the CAA';s rules to the letter.
Now, of course there are one or two agencies who might pay some big bucks for said footage, but of course, the moment I (or any amateur hobbyist) accept such as a bean in currency or favour, we risk facing the full penalty of law!
Is this fair?  Well, I think not.
Of course, most of us do it purely for our own amusement, and maybe foist it upon our fellow multi/fpv';ers that find their way onto the various forums for critique or a giggle, not for commercial gain.  That';s not to say however that if somebody wanted to purchase our amateur efforts they should be prevented from so doing? ';
Am I making sense here?

So, the criteria may be as follows, commercial work may be defined as anyone who actively seeks and advertises their services for hire in the capture of aerial photography/videography. 
Casual hobbyists selling the ';odd image/footage'; (as long as it conforms to CAA';s rules) should be exempt, and eligible for sale.



Andy

[Michael Kheng]

Kind of agree with you there Andy. My earlier reference was to a reply posting Mark had in another thread. My beef is people who actively market themselves to do commercial work with no insurance, no permission and no training. I don';t have a problem with anyone flying as a hobby and if they happen to get a shot someone wants then selling it, it';s people looking to make money by cutting corners that';s wrong as in the end it will ruin the activity for everyone.

[Michael Kheng]

By the way I also had signed.

[Biffa]

The problem I see, without even getting into who has or hasn';t got a licence to do this or that is the differing rules from country to country.

I fail to see how you can get waivers, disclaimers or any other thing signed by anyone caught in any footage used. In the public domain there is little anyone can do about this but commercially I withdraw my right to be seen on Youtube, TV, promotional videos or photo shoots.

Your ideas sound fine on paper but there would be so much red tape involved it would be, I feel, impossible to implement. In this country let alone over several continent';s.

[flybywire]

Don';t break the law, change it.

[shaktar]

What makes this idea different though.

What';s stoping people from just adding there stock pics and vids to already setup companies like fotolia and istock ?

[John A]

There is one cctv camera for every 14 people in the UK. Walk down the high street of any town, enter shopping malls, walk across car parks, well....you get the idea.

If I were to see a multi rotor overhead I would probably stop, look up and give the pilot the thumbs-up. In all likelihood the aircraft in question will be piloted by a fellow enthusiast or a commercial outfit making VT for someone.

To expect anonymity is unrealistic.

[bandarra]

http://youtu.be/kc9U01bOLGo

The first of a series of weekly update videos letting you know whats going in the world of Airstoc.

Highlights of  our first week as Airstoc have been incorporating the company, designing a logo and making a start on the good old customer validation! Watch the video to know more and don';t forget to subscribe to this channel.

www.airstoc.com
@airstoc
fb.com/airstoc

[bandarra]

This weeks update by Manu  our resident spaniard and tech guru (he';s the boss)

http://youtu.be/BGQ-lfmxB1A

[RCJardin]

Can I just say if you intend to be professional in dealing with us as possible suppliers of material, how about using a proper microphone on your videos.

[bandarra]

You';re absolutely right. Its not the microphone that is crap though, i';m just not great with sound and messed up the post production on it. hopefully the next video will be better :)

If anyone is used to use premiere/audition for sound treatment let me know, could use a bit of advice :)

[Balders]

Start sticking some egg boxes to the walls Very echo-y

[Biffa]

Without prejudice - despite the fancy into, it';s all a little cheesy and hard to watch...

But maybe that';s just me

[Friskle]

Without prejudice - despite the fancy into, it';s all a little cheesy and hard to watch...

But maybe that';s just me

and the same, without prejudice,
No its not just you, sadly, hate to say it, but i had to stop watching, i agree, cheesy and hard to watch.

[bandarra]

All fair comments guys, no offence taken :)

How would you make it better though? how do we stop the cheese?

Here';s this week';s btw. let us know what you think, good or bad alike

http://youtu.be/kIe0j6zL2DU