meet knowledgeable drone present designer

Drone mild exhibits have exploded in reputation — from main state festivals to marriage proposals — however have you ever ever questioned who’s behind the scenes making these flying pixels dance? Meet Anna Klemmer, a contract drone present designer who works as a chief pilot at Skyworx.

Skyworx is an American drone present firm that has carried out work for main company purchasers together with Netflix.

In an interview with The Drone Woman (watch the complete dialog embedded under!), Klemmer shared her journey into the world of drone exhibits — a path that began not with aviation, however with artwork.

“I studied design and animation at school,” Klemmer stated. “Drone exhibits have been a pure match as a result of they’re this intersection of expertise and the humanities.”

Klemmer has a Bachelor of Tremendous Arts from Colorado State College. Initially employed as a designer, creating animations for drone formations, Klemmer rapidly turned fascinated with the piloting aspect of the operation. She transitioned into changing into a chief pilot, overseeing all the things from pre-show setup to the real-time coordination of lots of of drones — typically all managed by a single pc.

Operating a drone present: behind the scenes

At a typical present, Klemmer is answerable for managing the workforce, guaranteeing security protocols are in place, and working the pc system that controls the drones. Security is paramount, particularly with massive exhibits involving 500 drones, just like the one Klemmer piloted throughout this interview.

That was for the opening night time of Palm Springs Drone Fest 2025, a fan occasion that introduced collectively all kinds of sides of drones together with drone soccer and orb racing into an epic air present that culminated in a conventional mild present.

“We actually take into consideration our security areas,” she stated. “Now we have folks throughout ensuring the entire security zone is safe, and the viewers is a protected distance away.”

With round 60 drone exhibits beneath her belt, Klemmer stated certainly one of her favourite experiences was placing on a light-weight present on the Colorado State Truthful in Pueblo.

“There have been monster vans, a destruction derby — only a actually cool, high-energy occasion to tie a drone present into,” she stated.

What it takes to land a job as a drone present pilot

Interested by changing into a drone present pilot your self? Klemmer says adaptability and confidence are key.

“You should be a fast learner and actually keen to adapt to any state of affairs,” she stated.

Apparently, Klemmer doesn’t fly drones recreationally — no FPV racing, no drone images on the aspect. Her whole drone profession is concentrated on choreographed mild exhibits, which simply makes her inventive strategy much more distinctive.

However profession alternatives are undoubtedly there — particularly as drone exhibits grow to be extra accessible and mainstream. Klemmer says she sees them increasing far past simply concert events and main occasions.

“We’re beginning to see them so much at larger company occasions, weddings, even engagements,” she stated. “When there’s folks gathering, there’s going to be drone mild exhibits.”

Watch my full interview with Anna Klemmer under:

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