🎬 Behind the Lens at Red Rocks: Documenting a One-of-a-Kind Art Installation

By Chad Zellmer | Emmy-Winning DP + Drone Operator | June 2025

When you get an email that says "We need a drone at Red Rocks for an art installation," your answer is pretty much always yes.

Two months ago, I was contacted by Barbara Crawford, a professor and installation artist from Southern Virginia University. She was heading to Colorado with a team of student artists to create the first-ever installation art piece at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

“We want it documented from the air,” she said.“We want you to do it.”

📍 The Challenge

Red Rocks is sacred ground—not just for musicians, but for filmmakers and drone pilots. It’s heavily protected, logistically complex, and visually unlike any other venue on earth.

I had:

• One hour of private access to the venue

• No crew

• Limited communication from the incoming art team

• A tight post deadline

• And a drone battery that wouldn’t forgive mistakes

🛠️ The Approach

I scouted the amphitheatre in advance, working out sightlines, flight paths, and safe takeoff zones. The installation—an organic, large-scale woven sculpture—was to be mounted on the amphitheatre stairs, blending into the rock.

To make the visuals dynamic, I flew:

• Top-down patterns to show scale

• Low glides through the benches

• Orbit shots to contrast the man-made with the monumental

Barbara’s team provided behind-the-scenes footage. I then cut a final video that paired their process with my aerials, creating a finished product that felt both artful and documentary.

🎯 The Result

The final piece:

• Premiered at Southern Virginia University and Red Rocks' official archive

• Was featured in a regional art publication

• Helped secure future grants for Barbara’s traveling installation work

• And was, frankly, one of the most soulful projects I’ve ever flown

Here’s a look at the final edit:👉 Watch the Red Rocks Installation Video