Our Story

Aerial MOB and Vortex Aerial have been pioneers in the drone cinematography space for over 20 years combined. Both companies were apart of the small group selected by the Motion Picture Association in 2013 to develop the first set of safety protocols and regulations with the FAA in order for drones to be used on closed film sets legally in the United States.

The Industries Best & Most Trusted Aerial Drone Cinematography Company

As a leading company in the drone cinematography equipment rental space in the film industry, Aerial MOB and Vortex Aerial are Emmy awarded pioneers in the drone cinematography space with over 20 years combined experience in the film production industry. After years of the two companies having a close working relationship, in August of 2019, Aerial MOB and Vortex Aerial merged to form one company under the parent company umbrella called Cinema Partners LLC.

Management Team

Tony Carmean

CEO / Executive Producer View IMDb Profile As a founding partner and business lead/Executive Producer at Aerial MOB since 2012, Tony was instrumental in working with the FAA and Motion Picture Association in 2013 on establishing the first ever safety protocols and operational framework for the legal use of drone technology on close film sets. For his efforts, Tony and his business partners were awarded the first ever Emmy award for drone cinematography in 2016. Tony has continued to lead the company’s strategic vision in the film industry, while overseeing and producing the drone elements of a long list of feature films, television shows, and commercial productions.

Chris Schuster

COO / Executive Producer View IMDb Profile Forty-three years of piloting R/C aircraft, a Private Pilot rating, 107 sUAS licensed, an L600 Director of Photography, and a 12-year commercial sUAS industry veteran, Chris leads Vortex Aerial as one of the most industry mature operators of any company in the entire USA. A proactive and intuitive problem solver both on set and off with countless hours of stick time and hundreds of Film, Television, and Commercial Productions.

Crews

We contract with highly skilled, specialized, professional crews all across the United States and all are supported by our Production Management team in our offices in Los Angeles and Atlanta.

Our Clients Say It Best

Some of our clients' perspective working with our company, in their own words…

Ron Howard, Director

“In 2019, I worked with the team at Aerial MOB on a documentary titled “Rebuilding Paradise” and a feature film titled “Hillbilly Elegy”, and I really enjoyed working with them on both projects! They are total professionals and they made it look pretty easy in terms of making my vision for the aerial shots a reality.”

Dan Kelley – Bidding Producer

“As a Bidding Producer at SMUGGLER, (a leading global production company), my job is to make sure our bids are accurate, represent value, and are producible. I bid with Vortex Aerial because they are professional, responsive to their client’s needs, and they deliver top-notch service and execution.”

Jeff Valeri, UPM/Co-Producer

“I have worked with Aerial MOB on a few feature films over the last few years, most notably on Baby Driver back in 2016 and currently on Sweet Girl, and they always deliver! I highly recommend them for any film production that needs top-notch, professional drone cinematography!”

Kristen Ploucha – UPM/1st AD

“I have worked with Aerial Mob in the past few years on major feature films, including Venom and most recently Hillbilly Elegy this past summer. They are professional, do their homework, and always get the job done, even in the most challenging situations. They truly understand the aerial cinematography craft and their work looks amazing. A pleasure to work with.”

Igor Meglic – Feature Film 2nd Unit Director/DP

“Aerial MOB has worked on a couple of major projects of mine over the last couple years. They always deliver outstanding aerial drone cinematography!”

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