Abi Thomas
Camerawoman and Drone Pilot

In November 2024 I had the absolute privilege of going onto BBC Breakfast to share my experience filming the stunning tiger sequences for the BBC Asia series and discuss the incredible stories behind the footage I captured. As a drone pilot and wildlife filmmaker, I was thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking series, which highlights the breathtaking beauty and diversity of Asia’s wildlife. My work focused on capturing intimate, never-before-seen views of tigers in their natural habitat using cutting-edge drone technology. It was a challenging but deeply rewarding experience, involving dense jungles, unpredictable conditions, and a commitment to ensuring the animals were undisturbed. During the interview, I talked about the innovative filming techniques that brought these sequences to life, the technical and environmental hurdles I overcame, and the importance of showcasing Asia’s wildlife to inspire conservation efforts. It was an honor to promote the BBC Asia series and share the magic of these moments with viewers.
BBC Breakfast
Wildscreen Cinematography Masterclass: Drones
In 2024 I was lucky enough to be part of the Wildscreen Drone Panel, where we delved into the fascinating world of drone cinematography. This masterclass brought together industry professionals to discuss the unique skills and techniques that have made drones an indispensable tool in modern filmmaking.During the panel, I shared insights from my experiences as a drone pilot, including behind-the-scenes details of filming the spectacular tiger sequence for the BBC Asia series. I explained how we used drones to capture breathtaking, intimate aerial shots while ensuring minimal disturbance to their natural behaviour. In addition, I discussed the growing role of FPV (First-Person View) drones in natural history filmmaking. These high-performance drones offer unprecedented manoeuvrability, allowing for dynamic, immersive shots that traditional drones can’t achieve. We also explored the broader challenges of filming in dynamic environments, the creative potential of drones in wildlife storytelling, and their advances.






Disgraceful Magazine
I was thrilled when Disgraceful magazine invited me to share my story in an exclusive interview back in 2021. It gave me the perfect opportunity to reflect on my journey into the television industry, from discovering my passion for filmmaking at university to thriving as a Technical Assistant and Drone Pilot.
In the interview, I talked about my time at the BBC working on Countryfile, my love for capturing nature’s beauty through innovative drone techniques, and my goal of working on groundbreaking nature documentaries like Planet Earth and A Life On Our Planet.
I also opened up about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, the icons who’ve inspired me, and my current adventure learning FPV drone flying.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fba9wfHsYwt5-q07NfcrhvLpRQMNNa4z/view?usp=drive_link