How to Sell Drones to Hollywood

XM2 Pursuit will showcase its expertise and innovations in aerial cinematography, production and aviation at locations of Arri Rental North America.

XM2 is an unmanned aircraft design and services company based in Melbourne, Australia with its U.S. offices at Van Nuys Airport.

In a joint venture with Pursuit Aviation in Van Nuys, XM2 will start its rollout of customized footprints at the Burbank location of the camera and lens rental house Arri.

XM2 Pursuit, the joint venture, will work with Arri to demonstrate innovative camera products and exclusive technology for filmmakers at 3700 Vanowen St. Expansion to Arri Rental locations in Brooklyn and Vancouver, British Columbia will follow next year.

Andy Shipsides, president of Arri Rental North America, said the firm has a great legacy of empowering filmmakers through its expertise and large portfolio of products and services.“By exhibiting these offerings at select locations, our customers get to experience solutions that keep their productions on the cutting-edge of modern filmmaking,” Shipsides said in a statement.

At the Burbank location, XM2 Pursuit will show off its latest camera drones, show reels featuring its network fleet of rotary and fixed wing aircraft, as well as recent aerial camera system innovations, including JETCAM and XM2 Whiskey, a first-of-its-kind setup inside a helicopter that delivers an entirely new way of shooting aerial scenes, the company said.

XM2 Chief Executive Stephen Oh said the company was excited to broaden its collaboration with Arri to feature its equipment and capabilities in the rapidly evolving filmmaking industry.

“Arri’s commitment to innovation with its camera systems aligns perfectly with our approach to aerial cinematography and production,” Oh said in a statement. “Our presence at Arri Rental will allow us to strengthen our partnership with them and showcase our customized solutions to new audiences.” Pursuit Aviation, based at Van Nuys Airport, offers aerial and technical services. The company is owned by Friedkin Group, a Houston consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports and adventure companies.From iconic, historic warbirds to unmanned aircraft that fit in the palm of a hand, XM2 Pursuit brings together the best of the aerospace and film industries, providing innovative, turn-key solutions for productions of any size, the company said in a statement.