Storytelling from the Air: Drone Techniques for Filming

Join Erica Hawkins for an afternoon of flying and exploring the capabilities of the DJI Mavic Mini II. Drone or Quadcopter Cinematography is really taking off! Learn how to maneuver and shoot fantastic videos from above your subject with this advanced piece of equipment. Find out how you can add production value to your projects within this workshop.

Topics include:

First Flight Basics

Flight Modes and Vision Positioning

Calibration Considerations

Emergency Procedures – Fail Safe, Return to Home, and Fly Aways

Firmware Updates

Handouts – Location Checklist, Pre-Flight Checklist, Equipment Checklist, Take Off Checklist, Practice Exercises, and Flight Log

File handling

Post Production

Bio: Erica Hawkins is a documentary filmmaker, researcher, educator, drone operator, and cultural producer in the Greater Philadelphia area. Working with young students in the Philadelphia School System, Erica saw the need to educate Black children about the importance of history and identity and how that has shaped the world. Much of Erica’s work and teachings center around history, particularly African Diaspora histories and experiences. Erica is currently working to preserve these experiences and stories via film and multimedia projects.