ABOUT - Surface

PREMIER AERIAL ARTISTS

Pioneering the languages of aerial cinematography since 2012, Surface Aerials produces consistently exceptional drone visuals for directors, producers and agencies from around the world. We fly everything from heavy lift rigs carrying RED and Arri cameras to classic Inspire 2 and other DJI systems to cinematic FPV drones. We also shoot with helicopters, with Shotover and Cineflex systems. Led by award-winning Aerial DOP Jonathan Gainer, our pilots are all seasoned filmmakers with 1000s of flight hours supported by a team of expert aerial producers and coordinators. We’re fully licensed, insured up to USD 5M, and have seamless permissions workflows to ensure your production is executed on schedule.

We also produce Drone Light Shows. Our award-winning team designed the show for Super Bowl LVI and has a combined history of over 100 shows. Our team boasts of two PhD’s in aviation engineering and a fleet of 400 show drones.

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Projects

KSA Vision 2030 / Quality of Life Program Visuals

2021 Surface completed a 7 month megaproject producing drone, VR and photographic coverage of blue chip sites across KSA. Visuals of Palaces, Stadiums, Cultural Centers, Universities and Heritage Sites all over KSA. Challenging terrain and logistics, extremely successful project.

Song of Abu Dhabi

A visual celebration of the splendors of Abu Dhabi. Over seven days Surface filmed with Abu Dhabi Media across the entire emirate – from downtown and the corniche through the mangroves and the museums of Saadiyat, over the wildlife-rich plains of Sir Bani Yas Island to the palaces of Al Ain. The striking state-sponsored film is shown to VIP visitors when arriving in The Capital.

Crown Prince Global Tour

Surface used drones to create massive 3D Reality Models of KSA heritage sites which became a centerpiece of Saudi Crown Prince MBS’s 2018 International Tour. These fully immersive experiences of AlUla, Madein Saleh and The Ain Village introduced dignitaries, diplomats, culture professionals and the general public to the cultural and geographic heritage of Saudi Arabia. View here.

Richard Hammond's Big!

Having shot numerous productions for BBC’s Top Gear, Surface founder Jonathan Gainer was Aerial Director of Photography for Top Gear-creator Richard Hammond’s Discovery Channel show Big! Working for weeks with the Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Defense and Emaar, Surface brought in the first drone-based parachute system in Dubai, resulting in the highest permitted commercial filming flight with a drone globally at the time. The Burj Khalifa Big! episode was the highest performing in Discovery Channel history.

VOLOCOPTER

What is sleek, sustainable and capable of carrying two humans under the force of 18 battery-powered propellers? The Daimler-funded Volocopter team came to Surface Aerials to film the world’s first ever public demonstration of an autonomous urban air taxi. Working together for months with Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority to safely execute test flights over the Dubai Canal, the mission was a resoundingly successful portent of the future of urban aerial transport.

“Surface shot aerial photography of 28 of our Dubai projects via helicopter – buildings, developments, interchanges and the like. Jonathan obtained all relevant permits and meticulously planned all shot angles to ensure a desired outcome. The clarity and detail of the final photographs exceeded our expectations and significantly improved the presentation of our website, and our company profile generally. I would not hesitate to recommend Surface – true professionals who take pride in their work. ”

Martin Pinder

Group Commercial Director, Wade Adams

“I hired Surface as a subcontractor for an Atkins project in Saudi Arabia. The project required high resolution photographs and 360 VR images of large infrastructure assets, including sports stadiums, universities, schools and parks. As well as delivering output of an exceptionally high standard, Jonathan and his team managed the full process, including all logistics and planning requirements. His attention to detail during both production and post-production was exceptional. The images were very well received by my client, and I would highly recommend his services again.”

Ash Toma

Director at Atkins

“We have worked with Surface on several projects, and I found Jonathan to be a highly skilled and dedicated professional. His expertise aerial filming & photography is unmatched. He's also an all-around great guy to work with, and he makes every job enjoyable! I highly recommend him to anyone looking for all things aerial filming in the UAE.”

Joy Mwendwa

Film Producer

“Jonathan is a visionary professional who doesn't treat his subjects as a still-life, but as a living array of stories that he documents through his lens as they pass by. I've worked with him on several projects, but the one that stands out the most is my first commission to him to take pictures for Abu Dhabi Art, which was later published in Shawati' Magazine, a quarterly bilingual culture and current affairs journal, published in Abu Dhabi. Jonathan managed to capture the mood of the event through its people and not through its smoke-and-mirrors of VIP guests, lounges and cheap free-flowing champagne. His images reflected the anticipation of the art dealer, the searching eye of the collector and the neurotic gestures of the artists. In my personal opinion, his work is a staple I would use to share with other photographers I would hire.”

Abdallah Al Shami

Projects Coordinator at Shawati'