meet knowledgeable drone present designer

Drone gentle reveals have exploded in reputation — from main state gala’s to marriage proposals — however have you ever ever puzzled 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 completed work for main company purchasers together with Netflix.

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

“I studied design and animation in class,” Klemmer mentioned. “Drone reveals have been a pure match as a result of they’re this intersection of expertise and the humanities.”

Klemmer has a Bachelor of High quality Arts from Colorado State College. Initially employed as a designer, creating animations for drone formations, Klemmer rapidly grew to become fascinated with the piloting facet of the operation. She transitioned into changing into a chief pilot, overseeing every thing from pre-show setup to the real-time coordination of lots of of drones — generally all managed by a single laptop.

Working a drone present: behind the scenes

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

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

“We actually keep in mind our security areas,” she mentioned. “We’ve got individuals throughout ensuring the entire security zone is safe, and the viewers is a secure distance away.”

With round 60 drone reveals below her belt, Klemmer mentioned one in every of her favourite experiences was placing on a lightweight 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 mentioned.

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

Serious about 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 mentioned.

Apparently, Klemmer doesn’t fly drones recreationally — no FPV racing, no drone pictures on the facet. Her whole drone profession is concentrated on choreographed gentle reveals, which simply makes her inventive method much more distinctive.

However profession alternatives are undoubtedly there — particularly as drone reveals change into extra accessible and mainstream. Klemmer says she sees them increasing far past simply live shows and main occasions.

“We’re beginning to see them rather a lot at larger company occasions, weddings, even engagements,” she mentioned. “When there’s individuals gathering, there’s going to be drone gentle reveals.”

Watch my full interview with Anna Klemmer beneath:

Associated