Behind-the-scenes of incredible Brisbane Festival drone show

Organisers of the inaugural Brisbane Festival drone show have revealed just what it took to pull off the incredible display, as it is revealed the push is already on to make it happen long-term.

A dazzling drone display is a top priority for Brisbane Festival organisers to lock in for next year after drawing tens of thousands in person and huge attention on social media.

The drone show particularly caught the eye of major sponsor The Star Entertainment Group, with the casino giant saying locally-born attractions like this are what they will look to bring to their Queen’s Wharf development when it opens in Brisbane next year.

Four hundred drones lit up the night sky over the Brisbane River on Saturday and Sunday in a three-dimensional multi-colour animation that told the Moreton Bay islands creation story.

The 65,000-year-old Indigenous story – titled Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale – was brought to life by Queensland company Skyshows.

Andrew Crowe and Sue Osborn. Picture: Supplied.

It was founded by managing director Andrew Crowe and chief remote pilot Sue Osborn – both previously served in the Army as drone pilots and discharged together.

Their weekend displays were their first shows in Queensland and they were also the first large-scale multi-day drone shows seen in the state.

Mr Crowe said three months of preparation saw everything go off without a hitch.

Andrew Crowe, the managing director of Skyshows, holding a Shooting Star v2 drone, with Snezana Bajic, RSHQ acting chief inspector of explosives, during the final safety check ahead of this year’s Riverfire. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“The best thing was that there were as many people there to watch our (standalone) Sunday shows, as there were on Saturday for our shows with the fireworks,” he said.

“I really get chills when that many people are applauding.

“The reaction has been incredible and really humbling.”

All drones were pre-programmed and automated. On the slim chance a drone went rogue and crashed, all aircraft could float and would be scooped from the river by a safety boat.

In pictures: Crowds enjoy Riverfire’s fireworks and spectacular fly-bys

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Mr Crowe said having gone through the process of getting permission from the police, as well as maritime and aviation authorities, meant doing future shows in Queensland would be easier.

“It should be fairly seamless in the future now, this was about getting the key stakeholders comfortable with us and how it all works, we’re ready and willing and able if other Queensland clients want to put in a bid for a show,” he said.

There are no more drone displays scheduled for this year’s Brisbane Festival. But artistic director Louise Bezzina said the attraction is a top priority for next year.

Queensland company Skyshows’ Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale drone show.

“Often we dismiss our local talent, we think we need to import all the time, but this is an incredible talent we have in our city and our state. To have them deliver such a glorious spectacle, there is no doubt Skyshows will become very famous in our city,” she said.

“I have been absolutely thrilled and delighted by the response from the community … when an audience comes together like they did on opening weekend … certainly looking to next year, they are what the future could be.”

A spokeswoman for The Star Entertainment Group, sponsored the drone show with Brisbane Festival, said the public reaction had been “overwhelmingly positive”.

“When The Star (Queen’s Wharf casino development) opens next year as a cultural and entertainment drawcard for Queensland, events and activities like this that drive community connection and city pride will always be considered,” she said.