Stop Using Active Track to Film Yourself. Do This Instead!

Active Track on the DJI Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Classic and other drones works great but it's limited to keeping the subject in view. So you can get great video footage with it while you film yourself but is there a better way to get more creative drone shots?

Yes yes there is! Waypoint mode in the Mavic 3, mavic 3 classic and mavic 2 works incredibly well to get really creative shots! Let me show you how

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Jake Sloan
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This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[BlairAir]

I particularly like "auto zoom" in waypoints. It will slowly zoom to the waypoint setting then zoom out from whatever value you have on the waypoint before, to the setting on the waypoint after. So much magic to make. I did thevworlds longest, smoothest dolly zoom! Barely scratching the surface of capabilites of Waypoints so far.

[juantrigeuroruiz]

Many content creators don´t talk about this enough or not at all, but this is one of the most powerfull features that DJI has ever made, specially for the "solo filmmakers".
It also ensure a perfect and smooth complex footage.
Thank you so much for showing how it works properly!

[andrew-zsnx]

In short. It's just creating an pre automated direction for the drone.

[AlexanderPallis]

I always thought Active Track looked so tacky in my opinion, but whenever I wanted to shoot a "main character moment" with my drone I always had to manual it and I was looking down at the screen which just kills the magic of the shot. But man, how I never considered waypoints is crazy! Will definitely try this out today, thank you for this video, super super helpful!!! 😁

[vonheise]

Great ideas. I sometimes get stressed trying to do things and fly the drone too but haven't thought of using waypoints to do it, but will now after some practice.

[eder]

I've also done way points where you do turns to reveal a downtown landscape or to do a Hyper-lapse of highway traffic while the drone flies and pans to reveal a different section of highway.

[jmcvideodrones]

Thanks for the suggestion. I was trying to do active track of myself walking across a bridge with my M2P snd Active track kept failing when i walked under the upper structure. I could of used Wavepoints to do it.

[simonblackburn]

Well thought through and one of the reasons I'm saving my pennies for a Mini 4p. My problem with DJI is their framing of POI's centrally, as an ex-professional, I like to give 'looking room' in many of my shots or photographs and this the way around it as well.

[CAMTechChris]

Jake, this seriously epic! Thank you for sharing this! I will definitely start using this

[HobbiesHire]

Great job on the video Jake! Thanks for making it.

[KidVid]

Hmmm I thought about doing this to film (without) holding the controller. This is a great work around to active track, which seems hit or miss depending on area, obstacles, etc. NOW if only the POI had a "focus" in which you could focus on a person vs a spot. That would make this method FAR SUPERIOR to the active track. I'll have to play with this waypoint method and hopefully I can get something to come out.

[hwobstj]

I’m new to the drone world, just purchased a mini 3 Pro and am curious if I can do this waypoint method with my drone. Great instructional videos. Thanks for making them.

[userbosco]

Way points rock. I've become a Litchi addict, use it more than free fly now. Being able to see and fly it on Google Earth with elevations and camera angles while being able to estimate flight time is HUGE!

[BProfly]

Great ideas. I am discovering so many uses to Waypoints I never thought of before. thank you!

[IdRatherBeHiking]

Can you start wide angle and then zoom in with the waypoints? I wish waypoints were on the air2s or mini3 pro that mavic 3 is too big and heavy for the big mountains I do.

[eazymac]

Awesome video, and a great idea! Question -- can you set the drone to film in cinematic mode during traversal of the waypoints? Also, when selecting the waypoints, I assume the drone will find the best route to get between the waypoints, and not necessarily the direct (or indirect route) that you may have taken while programming the waypoints? I'm coming from the perspective of, do you have to be smooth when moving during the waypoints, or does the drone do those calcs itself and plots its own course?

[ArcticNorthAdventures]

great tutorial thanks for sharing really useful, just need to figure out how to do close up action ski shots with the waypoint while skiing down the mountain

[EliteDronesAZ]

Excellent! Thumbs up for the video and that amazing location!

[hidaven]

Can this be done with the cheaper RC remote?

[TheSilverSurfisher]

Thanks for the excellent video. Will this work good and accurate to capture a person surfing who has no camera operator? If not, what's the best drone brand and best drone-setting that has a reliable "follow me" or Tracking feature for surfers??