A brand-new course offered by the Reynolds School of Journalism during the summer session allowed students the chance to learn to operate and capture footage from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Introduction to Drone Filming (JOUR 400) combines classroom study of the rules, laws and regulations of flying a UAV as outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with hands on flight experience in the field.
“This course gives our students an edge and another tool they can have in their toolkit, whether they're using it to cover stories, from breaking news to natural disasters to science stories,” said instructor Richard Bednarski. “Filming with drones can really change the scope of a story and bring a different perspective that you might not get from the ground.”
The goal of the course is to give students dedicated flight training and practice so they can walk away with the skills to operate a drone comfortably and safely. While practicing on campus, students were faced with various weather conditions, testing their ability to use drones with situational awareness and responsiveness to obstacles like wind or birds.
Students who completed Introduction to Drone Filming have the background knowledge, tools and resources they need to continue their education towards an FAA Part 107 license, which is required for all non-recreational UAV piloting.
“It's actually pretty simple to learn how to fly a drone, but what we're providing for our students is the knowledge to fly safely, legally and follow all the rules and regulations that govern operating the drone or UAV in the United States,” Bednarski said.
Bednarski hopes many of the students will seek their drone pilot’s license. “It’s going to give them a lot more employment opportunities just having this on their resume.”
For their final project, students created either a video, written or multimedia story using drone captured footage on a wide range of topics.
Elijah Dulay wrote a story about the sleepy unincorporated community of Primm, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas, and described the now somewhat desolate landscape which includes an abandoned amusement park and worn-down casinos.
Students Zoe Cruz and Jagg Brian worked together on their final project, capturing aerial footage of downtown Reno and the neighborhoods surrounding the University. Not only did their story provide a unique visual perspective of the growing campus, but they investigated development projects and their effect on student housing in the area.
“I’m actually an Anthropology/Sociology dual major looking to get into archeology post-graduation, and there’s a lot of interesting things you can use a drone for in that field,” said student Jagg Brian. “This class helped me establish a baseline that I’m going to use to get my 107 commercial drone license and having that will open a lot of doors in the future for me.”
