My Thrilling Dive into Drone Piloting
- minh le
- May 2, 2025
- 2 min read
Grace Le
Flying a drone for the first time felt like juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle: terrifying, yet electrifying. As I gripped the controller, one thought raced through my mind: What if I crash this tiny, expensive gadget into traffic? Or worse—into Erik’s head?Spoiler: Erik, my co-pilot-turned-fleeing-casualty, survived.
Mastering the Controls: From Chaos to Creativity
The controller’s built-in screen became my lifeline. As classmates gathered around, I framed shots of our beautiful campus bathed in sunlight and zoomed in on Professor Sturgill and my peers (who waved enthusiastically).
Once I grasped the basics, the drone became an extension of my creativity. I experimented with:
● Tilting the camera to capture dramatic high-angle shots.
● Zooming in to emphasize details.
● Executing trucking shots to smoothly follow a moving subject.
The biggest challenge? Panning without making the footage look like a terrifying roller coaster. After a few shaky liftoffs, I steadied my hands, got used to the drone’s quirks, and even managed a smooth aerial pirouette. By the end, I felt more like a filmmaker ready to experiment with new perspectives.
Beyond the Lab: How I’ll Use Drone Footage
● PSAs & Short Films: Establish scenes with breathtaking aerial shots (think Furman’s campus at golden hour).
● Event Coverage: Capture sports games and concerts from cinematic, floating perspectives.
● Personal Projects: Create hyperlapse videos of sunsets or dynamic travel vlogs.
This lab taught me that drone piloting is equal parts artistry and controlled chaos. With the right skills, a drone can transform ordinary spaces into epic landscapes—or compelling, character-driven narratives. Whether it’s capturing sweeping campus views, filming dynamic event footage, or experimenting with new perspectives, I’m ready to be a pilot!
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