Photography students capture S.A.V.I.'s first flight. photo by Will Forrester
A new video drone will allow for the capturing of all new kinds of footage, unlike anything seen before at TJ.
Center for Communication and Technology (CCT) teacher Grant Laman is very experienced when it comes to video production. He has used his knowledge both on the Spartan Edition and in his senior video intern class; now he is going to help produce all new kinds of videos, thanks to TJ’s new Phantom 3 Video Drone.
The Phantom 3 is the current standard model for video drones. It weighs less than three pounds, and can fly hundreds of feet in the air at up to 35 miles per hour. It can even broadcast video footage in high definition straight to one’s phone. “We’re always trying to push the limit, and be on the cutting edge of technology here in CCT,” said Laman, “I believe this is where video is going, and we can add it to our arsenal of technology to make our productions that much better.”
The drone has been named S.A.V.I., which stands for Spartan Aerial Video Imager. Students who are interested in using the drone can join the S.A.V.I. Club, a club dedicated to using this piece of equipment to capture impressive footage. Students will learn about flying the drone, and will eventually have the opportunity to take a flight test to obtain a license, which will allow them to fly it themselves. Students can join the club by visiting Laman’s wikipage or sending him an e-mail. “The drone is incredible. I am very interested in the club and this project,” said senior and club member Eli Webb.
S.A.V.I. is also finding use outside of the club. Students in Laman’s senior video intern class have already started using it for their own projects. It has been used to capture footage of sports games and other shots that would otherwise not be possible. “It gives us a lot of opportunities to film new things,” said senior Jack Willson, “It is going to be really great for this class.”
While Spartan Edition students have yet to use the drone themselves, drone footage has appeared on the show in one of the recent Dark and Stormy Night videos. Students in the Spartan Edition Class have recently finished working on promotional videos that showcase the drone and its talent. Hopefully, students will get to seotoge more of S.A.V.I. in the future on the Spartan Edition. “It’s new technology, and we’re lucky to have it at TJ,” said senior, S.A.V.I. club member, and personal drone owner, Jamil Bendjebbar. Whether it be through the Spartan Edition, senior video intern class, or the S.A.V.I. club, students should prepare to see their school’s video productions soar to new heights.
