Hollywood is trying to start using drones to film movies.
During the filming of ‘The Twilight Zone‘, produced by Steven Spielberg, actor Vic Morrow and child actors Myca Dinh Le (age 7) and Renee Shin-Yi Chen died in an accident involving a helicopter being used on the set. The helicopter was flying at an altitude of only 25 feet, too low to avoid the explosions of the pyrotechnics used on set. When the blasts severed the tail rotor, and spun out of control, crashing and decapitating Morrow and the Le. Chen was crushed to death as the helicopter crashed. Everyone inside the helicopter survived sustaining only minor injuries.
Now, producers are seeking the use of drones to film movies. According to Deadline, Federal law currently does not allow the use of unmanned camera airplanes, but the MPAA wants to change that. The MPAA recently joined several aerial photo and video production companies that are asking the FAA to allow the use of drones in the production of films and TV shows.
“Unmanned aircraft systems offer the motion picture and television industry an innovative and safer option for filming,” said Neil Fried, the MPAA's SVP Government and Regulatory Affairs. “This new tool for storytellers will allow for creative and exciting aerial shots and is the latest in a myriad of new technologies being used by our industry to further enhance the viewer experience.”
Unmanned aerial cameras are legal everywhere else in the world. In New Zealand, during the production of Lord of the Rings Trilogy, unmanned aerial cameras were used extensively.
But, with this advancement in technology, it will cause job losses for helicopter and airplane pilots and production crews. However, it could mean an overall increase in jobs since production companies will no longer need to leave the country for drone camerawork.
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