The Canadian Band's Quest For Illegally Captured Drone Footage Ends In Unexpected Cooperation
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At a recent concert in Winnipeg, Canadian rock band Arkells put out an unusual request—to find a drone operator who had been capturing their performance from the sky. What started as a public plea to the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) quickly turned into a serendipitous encounter between the band and the person behind the drone.
The concert, part of the Burt Block Party, featured Arkells as the headline act. During their set, frontman Max Kerman noticed a drone hovering closer and closer to the stage. In a video posted on the band's TikTok page, Kerman explained his initial reaction, "I figured I just missed the memo that the festival was operating a drone." As the show went on, Kerman began to interact with the drone, signaling it to come closer or move away. "Throughout the show, I sort of developed a relationship with the drone," he said. "I was having a great time."
However, the fun interaction turned into concern when Kerman discovered that the drone was being operated illegally. In Winnipeg, regulations prohibit private drone use over crowds, especially near bystanders, emergency operations, or advertised events. These rules are in place to ensure public safety, and violations can result in fines. Initially believing that the drone operator had been arrested, the band reached out to the WPS to recover the footage. "It looked like it was gonna be kind of cool," Kerman said in the video, jokingly adding, "I don’t know what the protocol is with how much time he has to spend in the slammer, but we’re hoping you’re lenient with him and you can get us the hard drive."
Contrary to their assumption, a police spokesperson told CTV News that officers had indeed located the unauthorized drone operator but chose not to arrest them. Instead, the individual was cooperative, and after a brief conversation, was allowed to leave without any charges. However, the drone itself and the footage it captured were not recovered by the police.
Just when it seemed like the band’s search might go unfulfilled, an unexpected turn of events occurred on Monday. Arkells posted an update on their Instagram page, revealing that they had received an audio message from the elusive drone operator. "That was my drone," the voice in the recording said. "I have the footage. Let me clean it up, and I'll send it to you."
The band’s Instagram update also featured some of the drone shots from the concert, providing a bird’s-eye view of the event and showcasing the enthusiasm of the crowd. The operator, whose identity remains unknown, spoke in the recording about their interaction with the police. "They were two very nice gentlemen. They just came and asked me if I had a permit for it. They looked at my shots, they loved it. They told me I should come work for the police force."
While the drone operation was technically illegal, the outcome was surprisingly positive. The Arkells not only received the footage they wanted but also highlighted the cooperative and friendly interaction between the drone operator and law enforcement. This story serves as a reminder of the often unpredictable ways in which modern technology intersects with live events, and how these encounters can end in unexpected but delightful ways.
The footage, once cleaned up, is expected to add a unique perspective to the Arkells' concert experience, offering fans a new way to relive the night. As for the drone operator, who knows? They might just have a new gig lined up with the Winnipeg Police Service.
Conclusion:
In today’s digital age, creative captures like these add a new dimension to live performances. However, it’s important to remember that safety regulations exist for a reason. If you’re considering using a drone for an event or any other purpose, be sure to follow local guidelines to avoid fines or more serious consequences. For professionals looking to create stunning aerial footage within legal parameters, consider hiring experts in the field. Explore Vertical Bar Media’s Advanced Drone Operations Services to bring your vision to life while staying compliant with the law.
Source: CTV
Photo Credit: AI
Social Media Hashtags: #ArkellsLive #DroneFootage #WinnipegConcert #CanadianMusic
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