Capturing the Heart of the Andes: Drone Technology on Paddington in Peru

When it comes to bringing a beloved character like Paddington Bear to life on screen, the world he inhabits must feel as vivid, whimsical, and immersive as the story itself. For Paddington in Peru, the latest chapter in the globe-trotting bear’s adventures, the filmmakers sought to push visual storytelling further – and that’s where we came in.

At Visualskies, we specialise in delivering high-resolution scanning, aerial photogrammetry, and LiDAR data for a range of sectors, including film, TV, and heritage applications. But every so often, a project presents itself that not only challenges our capabilities but also leaves a lasting emotional and cultural impact. Paddington in Peru was one of those rare moments.

From the mist-covered peaks of the Andes to the dense Colombian jungle and the picturesque countryside of southern England, we had the privilege of using our lidar and drone technology to capture environments that would form the digital backbone of the film’s visual effects. At the centre of this journey was a site of profound global significance: Machu Picchu.

Few locations on Earth are as iconic and sacred as Machu Picchu. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this Incan citadel is not only a marvel of ancient engineering – it’s a symbol of Peru’s cultural identity. Being granted permission to scan the site was an extraordinary privilege, and one we approached with deep respect and technical precision.

Our goal was to digitally capture Machu Picchu in its entirety using non-invasive aerial photogrammetry and terrestrial LiDAR scanning methods. Operating at over 2,400 metres above sea level, we had to contend with high altitudes, shifting weather, tight flight windows, and strict environmental guidelines. This was far from a typical drone job. To support the work, we deployed Leica’s high-precision laser scanners – the P50 and RTC360 – to provide dense and accurate spatial data that complemented our aerial capture and ensured exceptional fidelity in complex areas

For a film like Paddington in Peru, aerial photogrammetry isn’t just a pretty extra – it’s a core tool for environmental realism. Our scans inform set extensions, digital twins, and virtual environments that seamlessly blend with on-location footage. The data we captured was handed over to VFX vendors who could then recreate scenes that were logistically impossible to film directly.

In Peru and Colombia, we scanned towering mountain passes, forest canopies, and ancient ruins. In England, we brought our scanners to charming countryside lanes and village squares that would stand in for parts of Paddington’s journey.

Each of these scans began with drone-based image capture, structured flight paths, and precision data logging. We process these datasets into textured meshes and point clouds that can slot directly into production pipelines. With the help of DJI’s platform stability and flexibility, we’re able to maintain consistency across vastly different geographies and altitudes.

Working in an environment like Machu Picchu isn’t about showing off what the tech can do – it’s about doing justice to a place that holds deep meaning for millions of people. That means adapting workflows to the environment, not the other way around.

We made lasting connections with authorities and cultural heritage consultants to ensure every aspect of our work was aligned with the highest ethical and conservation standards. From pre-flight planning to post-capture data handling, we made sure our presence left no trace, only high-fidelity digital records to support cinematic storytelling.

This respectful approach is a core part of how we operate at Visualskies. Whether we’re scanning castles in England or citadels in Peru, our mission is the same: to capture the magic of real-world spaces without ever compromising their integrity.

In the final film, audiences won’t necessarily think about drones or mesh resolutions. They’ll see a curious bear exploring the world around him – and that world will feel grounded, beautiful and true. That’s the magic of what we do.

Our scanning work made it possible for filmmakers to recreate locations exactly as they appeared, or to build them out into larger scenes that still respected the geography and texture of the original environments. From the tilt of a mountain ridge to the erosion lines in ancient stone, our data allowed visual effects teams to match reality down to the millimetre.

And thanks to DJI’s technology, supported by Gremsy gimbals and our trusted suppliers, we were able to do that safely, reliably and with absolute confidence.

Paddington in Peru was a project that reminded us why we do what we do. It stretched our technical muscles, deepened our cultural awareness and gave us the chance to contribute to a story beloved by audiences around the world.

At Visualskies, we’re always chasing the next adventure – the next challenge that requires equal parts art, science and human intuition. With DJI drones in our kit, Leica scanners in hand, and trusted collaborators like heliguy behind the scenes, we’re more ready than ever to keep capturing the world’s wonders – one scan at a time.