Meet Lucas McFarland | Cinematographer/ Drone Operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucas McFarland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucas, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Upon graduating from high school, I harbored a clear vision to pursue a career in the creative realm, particularly within the world of cinematography and photography. In 2016, I founded Sunfish Productions, leveraging my passion for cameras and cinematography to undertake projects ranging from weddings to other diverse assignments that allowed me to hone my craft. Over time, I delved deeper into the art of cinematography, discovering a keen eye for visual storytelling, especially through aerial perspectives using drones. By 2018, I began focusing on aerial cinematography, exploring unique and innovative ways to utilize drones beyond conventional practices. This journey led me to push the boundaries of drone filming, capturing perspectives that were distinct and captivating. Subsequently, I embarked on an academic pursuit, enrolling in the Branded Entertainment program at Ringling College of Art and Design. Here, I refined my skills in cinematography and drone operation, collaborating with fellow students to bring their creative visions to life on screen. Simultaneously, I sought opportunities to expand my professional portfolio, securing projects during summers and gaining valuable industry experience. One notable opportunity came when I was approached by a production team from the United Kingdom to film drone footage for a short series by Discovery Channel, centered around Jared Fogle from Subway, titled “Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster.” Another significant milestone in my career was the chance to work with renowned YouTube creator Mr. Beast. I was entrusted with flying an FPV (first-person view) drone in Greenville, North Carolina, showcasing my ability to maneuver this drone seamlessly in high-pressure filming environments.
These experiences propelled me to seek new challenges and opportunities for growth. Recognizing Atlanta’s thriving film industry and its prominence in the South, I made the decision to relocate. Since moving here three months ago, I’ve immersed myself in Atlanta’s vibrant film community, forging valuable connections and collaborations. Currently, I am collaborating with the Atlanta Braves on their “Braves Country Tour,” utilizing my expertise in aerial cinematography to showcase the city’s beauty and the surrounding landscapes of Georgia. Reflecting on my journey thus far, I am driven by the belief that dedication and passion for filmmaking and drone operation will continue to fuel my success in Atlanta’s dynamic film industry.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While having an artistic/ creative eye in cinematography is something I use everyday another strong suit of mine is problem solving. Working with different clients and never knowing what the filming circumstance will be I have self taught myself how to rig up a camera to any environment. Whether that be the side of a car, flying in a plane, from a ceiling, or just figuring out how to accomplish a difficult shot. This past year I grew outside of flying drones and dived into the world of camera rigging. My father was a marine engineer in the United States Coast Guard for 28 years and growing up he would always work around the house or fix it himself if anything broke. Using this background I shifted my youth knowledge to film and have been creating different camera rigs for any situation.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My parents just visited and while only living in Atlanta for a short amount of time I’ve already found some amazing spots and at some the servers already know me. For one of the first stops we all obviously had to go to a Braves game. Even though we are all from Florida and are Tampa Bay Rays fans I will admit that stadium is special! Secondly the food here is amazing, the first place we all had dinner is my favorite spot for tacos. “Rreal Taco” has the best tacos and Margaritas. Now the coolest attraction and maybe the most popular but for good reason, the Georgia aquarium is absolutely incredible. Upon visiting the aquarium we saw all of the exhibits but while we sat down to watch the whale shark a staff member randomly picked us for a behind the scene tour. We all then got to see how they cleaned the tanks and fed one of the manta-rays maybe 5 feet in front of us. The next time they visit I’ll probably have more spots added to the list but I’m currently still exploring the city and getting to know Atlanta.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While the road to becoming your own boss and freelancing is extremely hard I would like to shout out all of my Ringling classmates who moved to Atlanta for film as well! We all keep each other in mind and are looking out for jobs for each other as we all have one another’s back.

Website: https://www.sunfish.productions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunfish_productions/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-mcfarland-244352160/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunfishProductions/videos