Mark Edwards now of Droitwich, was one of the first drone pilots in the UK and has been using his experience as a pilot (and the latest technology) to record footage showing the changing face of a shopping centre.
The 61-year-old of IDP Film, who attended Christopher Whitehead school in Worcester, has been filming changes at Brighton Hill Retail Park in Basingstoke as it undergoes a dramatic transformation.
IDP Film, which has offices in Hereford, was set up in 1989 by twin brothers Paul and Mark Edwards.
A chance meeting with a Bollywood producer while filming at Eastnor Castle in Ledbury in 2015 led to IDP being commissioned to help film a Bollywood film – but the demolition video illustrates the variety of work they are involved in.
For three months, Mr Edwards has been documenting the demolition of the retail park, which once housed popular stores such as Toys R Us, PC World, and JJB Sports.
Using state-of-the-art drone technology, he creates time-lapse videos that provide a detailed view of the site’s progress.
He said: “We’ve developed a unique aerial time-lapse filming system. No one else in the UK is doing this,” said Mr Edwards.
He has held a drone licence since 2013 and was one of the first to pass the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) exams for drone piloting.
CHANGES: One of the stills from the dramatic time-lapse video captured by a Droitwich drone pilot (Image: Mark Edwards drone pilot)
Mr Edwards flies a DJI Inspire 3 X9 drone equipped with RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning, an advanced system ensuring centimeter-level accuracy.
This high-tech setup, valued at £22,000, allows him to capture precise footage while navigating the challenges of the job—like avoiding two resident birds of prey that frequently circle the Brighton Hill site.
“Our drone technology lets us repeat flights and map the site to within ±5cm,” he said.
“It’s not just about filming; it’s about providing clients with accurate, real-time images for progress tracking and historical records.”
Mr Edwards, who is from Worcester, also carries £10 million in liability insurance to meet the demands of the large-scale project.
The demolition phase, led by HDC Limited, began in late September and will wrap up in December.
Construction, managed by Venturi, will commence in mid-January, with two new industrial units expected to rise on the site by August.
Throughout, Mr Edwards will be on hand, releasing updated time-lapse videos online every two weeks.
Mr Edwards has a long history in videography, including filming the construction of Wembley Stadium from 2002 to 2005.
Back then, aerial drones weren’t an option. “I was onsite, climbing sky cranes with a safety harness and using Canon DSLRs and Sony DVCams,” he said.
“It’s incredible how much the industry has evolved.”
His brother, Paul Edwards, handles the intensive editing process using Adobe Premiere Pro, stitching together weeks of footage into seamless time-lapse videos.
Looking to the future, Mr Edwards is optimistic about the potential of drone technology.
“Drones are getting smaller, lighter, and more precise,” he said.
“We’re already seeing 4K and 60fps footage from aircraft weighing just 250g. The next step is autonomous flight with longer durations and even higher resolution.”