Think about the last action sequence you saw in a movie. Or the most recent sportscast that pulled you right into the moment. The odds are high that drones captured those shots.

Drones have transformed what's possible in visual storytelling, and the people piloting and programming them are just getting started. For educators, this is the moment to connect students to an industry that's growing fast, hiring now, and looking for people who know how to fly, code, and think creatively.

Why Drones for Film & Entertainment

Media and entertainment accounted for over 21% of the global commercial drone market in 2024 — and is expected to keep growing through 2030. The entertainment drone market alone was valued at $6.4 billion in 2024, growing at 12% annually through 2033. The global drone photography services market is projected to grow from $4.75 billion in 2025 to nearly $21 billion by 2034. 

The growth engine here isn't just Hollywood. It's concerts, sports broadcasts, brand activations, public ceremonies, theme parks, and content creators, all competing for the most immersive storytelling (and environmentally friendly options) possible.

What Drone Videography, Photography, & Performance Look Like Today

On film sets and TV productions: FPV drones enable filmmakers to capture sequences that were previously impossible or prohibitively expensive, from high-speed chases to interior building flights to complex aerial choreography. Productions that once required helicopters or cranes are getting the same shots, or better, with drones and skilled pilots.

At the biggest events on the planet: For the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, 1,100 drones wove formations across the night sky, forming the Olympic rings, the Eiffel Tower, and doves in flight. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, the Olympic Broadcasting Services expanded their use of FPV drones to bring viewers closer than ever before to sports like luge, skiing and snowboarding.

In live events and public celebrations: Citing environmental and health concerns, several US cities are replacing traditional Fourth of July fireworks displays with drone light shows. One drone show company projected 130 to 150 performances in 2024 — many in burn-ban regions like New Mexico and Texas — and has continued to grow, staging shows for brands like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Crypto.com. 

Careers in Drone Film & Entertainment

Roles in this space span creative, technical, and operational work with salaries typically ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on project scale and specialization. Some of the top roles include:

• Drone Videographer/Cinematographer — Captures aerial footage for films, commercials, and branded content; collaborates with directors on creative objectives. FAA Part 107 certification and a strong portfolio are key.
• FPV Drone Pilot — Operates high-speed drones for chase sequences, sports coverage, and live events.
• Drone Light Show Choreographer/Operator — Programs and deploys synchronized drone formations for concerts, ceremonies, and public events. These shows use hundreds or thousands of drones with LED lighting systems, controlled via centralized software to create massive 3D aerial displays. 
• Aerial Data Coordinator (Broadcast) — Manages drone operations for news and sports broadcasts; handles airspace compliance and mission planning.
• UAS Operator, Live Events — Coordinates drone activity at concerts, sporting events, and festivals for filming and performance.

A CTE sidenote: Since I joined Robolink, a few of our Ambassadors who are CTE leaders have helped expand my understanding of "college and career readiness" in practice. The best CTE programs serve both the student heading to a four-year university and the one ready to go straight into a trade. In other words, the "and" in "college and career readiness" is also an "or." With drone photography and videography, students don't even have to choose. Shooting weddings, events, and real estate on weekends can generate real income to help pay for college. 

Classroom Connection: Featured Robolink Learn Lesson

The Lights & Sounds lesson in our Robolink Learn Blockly course connects directly to this career path.

In the lesson, students get to:

• Discover Drone Performances via videos and news articles.
• Respond to a real-world question: Should cities stop doing fireworks displays and replace them with drone shows? 
• Learn what LEDs are, how RGB values work, and how lights communicate information in everything from aircraft to drone performances
• Take command of CoDrone EDU's LEDs with code

The Big Picture

From the skies above Paris to a student's first LED blink with Blockly, the connection between coding and creativity is real. Drones are new tools for a new generation of creators, and your students who learn to fly and program today with CoDrone EDU are the ones who will be behind the cameras and code of future collective and cultural moments.

School and district leaders, reach out today to learn more about our drones and CTE curricula partners.