Audience members of TheGrill got a special treat on Tuesday: a live drone flying over their heads.
“This is an enormous opportunity in away to tell a story for Hollywood,” said Steven Amato, the CEO of Contend, a company that owns about a dozen drones that it rents out to production companies and filmmakers. “It’s completely changing every day.”
Used for everything from shooting commercials to news programs to sports events and movies, drones are quickly becoming the latest “must-have” Hollywood gadget, thanks to their relative ease, agility and low cost.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: Conde Nast's Dawn Ostroff on Making Digital 'Frenemies,' Chasing Ad Dollars
Amato told moderator Sharon Waxman, editor-in-chief and founder of TheWrap, that drones are are significantly cheaper than, say, helicopters. While drones can cost anywhere from $5,000-$15,000 per day, helicopter rentals can run $700 an hour, not including pilot and insurance costs.
Because of that, Amato said, unmanned devices are being used as an extra camera, providing another storytelling tool for filmmakers.
“That’s definitely where it’s going,” he said. “That’s why we’re involved.”
On Tuesday, Contend launched its own drone stand-alone unit, offering drone units and services for filmmaking. The company also has its own lab to build custom-made devices for specific shoots, including those underwater. The company’s pilots are FAA-certified as well as professional videographers and photographers.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: 4 Reality Titans Debate the 'Death' of Unscripted TV, Hits and Misses of the Genre
Hollywood demand for drones has been soaring. Earlier this year, drones were used to film a hostage scene in ABC’s “Scandal.” Netflix’s “Narcos” used drones to capture scenes too intimate for helicopters and too complicated to shoot from the ground. Unmanned flying devices also circled above the set of “Into the Woods” as well as Matt Damon‘s film “The Great Wall,” set for release next year.
Before the live demonstration, audience members were warned to secure any papers and light items as the drone prepared to fly above the crowd.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: 'Empire' Co-Creator Danny Strong Calls Brian Grazer 'The Godfather' (Video)
“You absolutely have to consider the repercussions of being around a drone,” said Amato, adding that both wind and sound can be an issue.
During the demonstration at TheGrill, a pilot-operated device flew above the crowd in a clean and elegant swoop as it sent a live video feed to two jumbo screens on stage.
Amato insisted the technology is still in it’s infancy and will likely become a major part in storytelling. “The OS we’re running on the tablet also allows us to livestream, say, to YouTube,” said drone pilot Travis Geske.
The Scene at TheGrill 2015: TheWrap's Media Leadership Conference (Photos)
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TheWrap's editor in chief Sharon Waxman kicked off the sixth annual TheGrill Conference Day 1.
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"Empire" co-creator/writer Danny Strong (left) and producer Brian Grazer spoke onstage during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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Producer Brian Grazer spoke onstage during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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"Empire" co-creator/writer Danny Strong and producer Brian Grazer spoke onstage with Sharon Waxman during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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Alison Buck/Getty Images
"Empire" co-creator/writer Danny Strong and producer Brian Grazer spoke onstage during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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"Empire" co-creator/writer Danny Strong and producer Brian Grazer spoke onstage with Sharon Waxman during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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Maker Studios CEO Ynon Kreiz spoke onstage during Day 1 of TheGrill 2015.
Also Read: Maker Studios CEO Addresses 13-Year-Old YouTube Star Caleb Logan Bratayley’s Death for First Time
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Maker Studios CEO Ynon Kreiz (left) spoke onstage with AwesomenessTV founder and CEO Brian Robbins (right) during Day 1 of TheGrill 2015.
Also Read: AwesomenessTV, Endemol Sign Multi-Year Partnership to Expand Teen Presence Internationally
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Brian Robbins, founder & CEO of AwesomenessTV, spoke onstage during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: Tyler Oakley Doc Exclusive First Look Reveals Coming Out Story, Digital Rise
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REDEF CEO Jason Hirschhorn spoke onstage with TheWrap's editor in chief Sharon Waxman on Day 1 of TheGrill 2015.
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Edelman president of strategic partnerships and global integration Gail Becker presented results of new consumer study on Day 1 of TheGrill 2015.
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Edelman president of strategic partnerships and global integration Gail Becker presented results of new consumer study on Day 1 of TheGrill 2015.
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Robert Kyncl, chief business officer at YouTube, spoke about the platform's growth rate during Day 1 of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: YouTube’s Robert Kyncl Isn’t Sweating Competition, Touts Site’s ‘Astounding’ Growth
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Robert Kyncl, chief business officer at YouTube, spoke about the platform's growth rate during Day 1 of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: YouTube’s Robert Kyncl Isn’t Sweating Competition, Touts Site’s ‘Astounding’ Growth
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Jason Hirschhorn talked to Kyncl about YouTube's growth and challenges at the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: YouTube’s Robert Kyncl Isn’t Sweating Competition, Touts Site’s ‘Astounding’ Growth
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Andrew Glasgow, SVP at Viacom Scratch, spoke about the declining attention span of Americans during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill conference.
Also Read: TheGrill 2015: Viacom Scratch SVP Andrew Glasgow on Navigating Consumers’ Short Attention Spans
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Nancy Dubuc, president & CEO of A+E Networks, spoke about the disruption of cable TV during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
Also Read: 1 Day to TheGrill! 6 Ways to Be a Boss Like A+E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc
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Nancy Dubuc, president & CEO of A+E Networks, spoke about the disruption of cable TV during the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
Also Read: 1 Day to TheGrill! 6 Ways to Be a Boss Like A+E Networks CEO Nancy Dubuc
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Dawn Ostroff, president of Conde Nast Entertainment, attended the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
See video: TheGrill 2015: Conde Nast’s Dawn Ostroff on Making Digital ‘Frenemies,’ Chasing Ad Dollars
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Van Toffler attended the first day of TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
Also Read: TheGrill Is Almost Here! 3 Questions With MTV’s Van Toffler
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From left to right: TheWrap's executive editor Joseph Kapsch, "So You Think You Can Dance" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, Electus founder and chairman Ben Silverman, PactUS president David Lyle, and "Big Brother" executive producer Allison Grodner.
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PactUS president David Lyle discussed the state of reality TV during Day 2 of TheGrill.
See video: TheGrill 2015: 4 Reality Titans Debate the ‘Death’ of Unscripted TV, Hits and Misses of the Genre
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"Big Brother" executive producer Allison Grodner discussed the state of reality TV during Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Nigel Lythgoe discussed the state of reality TV on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Electus founder and chairman Ben Silverman talked the state of reality TV during Day 2 of TheGrill.
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CNBC reporter Julia Boorstin attended TheWrap's sixth annual TheGrill conference at The Montage Beverly Hills.
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Conde Nast Entertainment president Dawn Ostroff discussed content creation on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Box founder and CEO Aaron Levie discussed content protection with TheWrap's editor in chief Sharon Waxman on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Golden Globe nominee Maria Bello discusses her life and career during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Golden Globe nominee Maria Bello discusses her life and career during Day 2 of TheGrill
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From left to right: Movio co-founder and chief executive Will Palmer, Fandango president Paul Yanover, Skydance Media CCO Dana Goldberg, IMAX's head of international marketing Roger Pollock, Universal president of worldwide marketing Josh Goldstine, and TheWrap's Deputy Managing Editor Thom Geier discussed the moviegoing experience on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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IMAX's head of international marketing Roger Pollock discussed the moviegoing experience on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Fandango president Paul Yanover discussed the moviegoing experience on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Skydance Media CCO Dana Goldberg discussed the moviegoing experience on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Movio co-founder and chief executive Will Palmer discussed the moviegoing experience on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Universal president of worldwide marketing Josh Goldstine discussed the moviegoing experience on Day 2 of TheGrill.
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Steven Amato, CEO & chief content officer of Contend and Sharon Waxman, founder & CEO of TheWrap spoke onstage during the "Drones and Hollywood" panel at TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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Co-founder and chief executive of Movio Will Palmer held a discussion regarding "What Women Want: Unlocking Box Office Revenue" at TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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Joseph Atkinson, U.S. Advisory Leader for the Entertainment, Media & Communications Practice at PwC, spoke onstage at TheWrap's 6th Annual TheGrill.
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Twitter and Uber investor Chris Sacca talks investing in the tech space during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Evolution Media Group founder and co-managing partner Rick Hess talks about financing media during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Former MTV president Van Toffler talks about his new company during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Lloyd Braun, Founder & CEO of Whalerock Industries during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Mark Terbeek, Partner at Greycroft, Jesse Jacobs, President of The Chernin Group and Brian Weinstein, Head of Corporate Finance Group of CAA during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Steven Haft, SVP Innovation of Time Inc., Sanjay Sharma, President & COO of All Def Digital, Christian Meinberger, SVP Content Programming & Production at Studio 71, and Tobias Bauckhage, CEO and co-founder of Moviepilot during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Steven Haft, SVP Innovation of Time Inc. and Adam Smith, Partner at United Entertainment Group during Day 2 of TheGrill
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Alison Buck/Getty Images
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
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Megan Mack for TheWrap
Entertainment, media and technology converge at TheWrap’s sixth annual Grill Conference at the Montage Beverly Hills