This Apeejay professor is now a certified drone flyer

Drones are revolutionising the way filmmakers capture visual footage for cinematography. And there certainly has emerged a ‘new wave of creativity’. Realising the rising popularity of drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Ankit Kumar Malyan, an Assistant Professor at Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, decided to pursue  a drone training programme offered by Phoenix Drone Flying. The comprehensive training programme has been designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to utilise drones for various commercial purposes. 

Prof. Ankit, who is also an alumnus of AIMC, mentions, “Drones have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their versatile applications and the unique perspectives they offer for capturing aerial footage.” 

With a passion for filmmaking Ankit wishes to leverage the advantage of drone technology in capturing breathtaking footage to create unique stories. In this interview, Prof. Anikt shares about his drone learning process and key skills required to become a drone pilot.

Read edited excerpts: 

What inspired you to pursue a drone training program?

Drones have gained significant popularity in the last few years. Here are some factors that might have inspired me to pursue a drone training programme like capturing aerial photography and videography that can enhance my cinematography and filmmaking process. As advice, I would like to share that learning drone technology will have commercial applications in industries like real estate, construction, and agriculture. There are also career opportunities as professional drone pilots or in related fields.

Please tell us about the entire process of training and experience of learning?

The drone training involved researching and selecting a programme, attending ground school to learn theoretical knowledge, engaging in practical flight training under instructor supervision. This was learned mostly by using simulators for practice, understanding regulations and legal compliance, prioritising safety and risk management, completing assessments for certification, and continuing learning and practice after the programme ends.

What are the key skills required to become a professional drone flier?

To become a professional drone pilot, the key skills required include:

1. Drone operation proficiency
2. Aeronautical knowledge
3. Safety awareness
4. Flight planning
5. Photography and videography basics
6. Problem-solving ability
7. Communication and collaboration skills
8. Maintenance and repairs understanding
9. Commitment to continuous learning

Did you face any challenges during this learning process?

I faced a couple of challenges in the drone learning process. Those included the weather conditions, the regulatory compliance, equipment limitations, safety and risk management, battery life and flight time, flight planning and navigation, technical issues, environmental factors, and communication and collaboration. Overcoming these challenges requires training, experience, and continuous learning.

Read This: Nurturing Creativity & Vision: Career as a filmmaker

How do you look at using this ability in your career as a Mass Communication professor?

Using drones in a career as a mass communication professor can involve teaching students about aerial videography, incorporating drones into journalism and news reporting, enhancing visual storytelling, covering live events with drones, utilizing drones in documentary production, integrating drone footage into multimedia projects, and educating students about industry trends and career opportunities. By embracing drone technology, professors can prepare students for the evolving media landscape and empower them to leverage drones in their mass communication careers.

Three amazing uses of drones in filmmaking

1. Aerial Cinematography: Drones capture stunning aerial shots from unique angles, providing breathtaking views and adding scale and depth to the storytelling.

2. Dynamic Tracking Shots: Drones enable smooth and dynamic tracking shots, following subjects on the ground or in the air, adding excitement and energy to chase scenes or action sequences.

3. Immersive Environment Exploration: Drones navigate complex environments, allowing filmmakers to explore tight spaces, and hidden locations, or create captivating flyover shots, enhancing immersion and audience engagement.