Who is Jaan Kronberg?
Jaan Kronberg, also known to friends as Kronja, is the founder of Skycam and a film drone pilot. His journey into the drone industry has been an inspiring one, from his years at Skype and Elisa to professional film drone droning, which he has been doing for the last 13 years. But how did his interest in drones start?
First flights and the journey to drone filmmaking
It all started in 2009, when a gift of a piloted helicopter made Jaani want to add a tiny camera to it. FlyCamOne microcameras – a product that existed before GoPro – enabled the first aerial film tests. This was followed by the ever-improving self-built drones that took Jaan deeper into the world of drones. Assembling his first drone was a real technical challenge, but it taught him that flying skills are not the only thing a drone man needs – knowledge of soldering, flight controllers and software are also important.
Filmmaking: creativity without limits
Jaani’s work focuses on filmmaking, where drones play a unique role. “The drone gives the ability to move the camera freely, creating one-take narratives that are powerful and engaging for the viewer. For example, a drone allows you to start a scene inside a house, fly out of the room, move with the actor to a car and then follow the exciting chase – all in one uninterrupted shot,” Jaan described. It is this freedom of creativity that makes drone filmmaking so fascinating for him.
Unforgettable moments with a drone
Among Jaani’s drone experiences, one particularly memorable flight in Norway in 2014 stands out. Filming a car commercial, he managed to capture breathtakingly beautiful views of dolphins, sunset, sailboats and mountains moving in the fjords. Unfortunately, the cameraman forgot to press the record button, leaving only the crew’s memories of the beauty. “It was a moment to remember for both its beauty and its loss,” recalled Jaan.
Drone flying as a joy of discovery
Jaani’s favourite place to fly a drone is in nature. Smaller drones allow him to reach places where the human foot cannot reach. “The drone is like an eye where I can’t reach,” he says. According to Jaani, the ability to explore and share the joy of discovery is the greatest value of droning.
Tips for the beginner drone pilot
Jaani’s advice for beginners is simple: “Start with a smaller and cheaper drone, practice a lot and don’t rush.” He stresses that a drone “by itself” does not make anything beautiful – it all depends on the skill and creativity of the pilot. Patience, practice and safety are key to safe and successful drone flights.
A vision for the future
Jaan believes that drones are still in the early stages of unlocking their potential in the film world. He sees the ability of drones to enhance visual storytelling and looks forward to seeing what the future holds.
Happy landings to all drone fans!
If John’s story and advice inspired you to get into droning, don’t be afraid to take the first steps. As Jaan says: “A drone is more than a machine – it’s a tool for creativity and discovery.”
(Photos from private collection)