Drones Light the Scottish Sky as Martin Garrix Launches ‘Scared to be Lonely’ Visual

DJ wunderkind Martin Garrix has released the visuals for his track, ‘Scared to Be Lonely’, featuring international singer-songwriter and model, Dua Lipa. Service produced by LS Productions, and produced by Craft London, the film showcases Scotland’s magnificent historic architecture and scenery through an innovative use of drones.

Director Blake Claridge, of Craft London, expands his music project credentials with his vision of a solitary Garrix wandering through epic landscapes, intercut with reminiscent images of women from relationships past. 

Tasked with finding a spectacular house and Scandinavian-looking wood within an expansive landscape, LS Productions sourced numerous locations across Scotland, before narrowing them down to the beautiful house and grounds of a Category B-listed 19th century building nestled amongst the rolling hills of Dumfries and Galloway.

The team at Craft London – including Producer Lois Newcombe and Claridge – researched an unconventional solution to realise Claridge’s creative vision, working with drone specialists Flying Pictures to turn it into a reality. Rather than rely on the standard practice of using cherry pickers or boom lifts to secure the lighting, the team cast their gaze to the skies. 

Part of Blake’s idea was to attach a bright light to a drone. In doing this, they could illuminate Garrix, exaggerating the loneliness of his character as he travelled across the grand Scottish landscape. To achieve this innovative logistical approach, Flying Pictures supplied two teams: one to fly the lighting drone and the other to fly an Alexa camera that captured the action from above. 

Adam Sculthorp, Head of Cameras at Flying Pictures comments: "When Blake came to us with a vision of working with multiple drones, both filming and lighting the scene we knew that this was going to be an exciting project. Over the years we have pushed the creative boundaries associated with aerial filming using our unique skills, yet maintaining safety and affordability. We're pleased with the results and are looking forward to Craft’s next challenge."

Sarah Drummond, Head of Production at LS Productions, adds: “We’ve had plenty of experience on drone shoots before, but this is the first time we’ve had a flying light on set. This novel technique streamlines the time-consuming process of rigging a light to a structure before hosting it into the air. Watching both drones at work was a spectacle for the cast and crew, and it was brilliant to be able to bring our location expertise to such a logistically forward-thinking shoot. We think it’s a glimpse of the future.”

The single release follows on from Garrix being crowned the world’s number one DJ by DJ Mag in 2016, making him the youngest ever recipient of the award, and Dua Lipa’s recent win of the EBBA Public Choice Award in January 2017. 

Scared to Be Lonely launched on Friday 27th January 2017.