For Netflix’s feature film Apex, XM2 delivered advanced aerial cinematography, ultra-high-resolution landscape capture, and environmental scanning across remote locations in New Zealand. Working under Director Baltasar Kormákur and Director of Photography Lawrence Sher, XM2 deployed three specialised Australian aerial teams across Queenstown and Hokitika to support both creative and technical production outcomes.
Operating in challenging alpine and river environments, the project required precision flight, custom payload engineering, and high-accuracy data capture.
Multi-Team Aerial Deployment
Action Cinematography – White Water Proximity Flying
Using the DJI Inspire 3, XM2 captured close-proximity footage of professional kayakers navigating white water rapids. Flights were conducted in fast-moving, high-risk environments while maintaining safe separation and achieving stunning, high adrenaline results.
Ultra-High Resolution Landscape Plates – Custom Heavy Lift System
XM2 deployed a Freefly Alta X equipped with a custom-built 3 x RED Komodo camera array. This system enabled ultra-high-resolution aerial plates of New Zealand’s landscape, supporting VFX workflows and large-format cinematic delivery.
LiDAR & Photogrammetry – Environmental Data Capture
Using the DJI Matrice 300, XM2 captured detailed LiDAR and photogrammetry datasets of gorges and rock formations. This data enabled digital environment creation, terrain modelling, and visual effects integration.
Australian Technical Expertise on a Global Production
While this portion of the filmed was shot in New Zealand, XM2 deployed a team of nine crew from Australia with Australian-made equipment. The team brought world-leading expertise in heavy-lift drone operations, custom aerial engineering, and complex proximity flying in extreme environments.
XM2 continues to support major international productions by combining cinematic aerial storytelling with advanced technical capture, delivering production-ready imagery and data from some of the world’s most demanding locations.
XM2 specialises in complex aerial cinematography and technical capture for film, television and high-end commercial productions worldwide. Learn more about XM2’s camera platforms and VFX data capture capabilities at xm2.com
