Drone Cinematography at UC San Diego

From Toys to Full-Fledged Career - dive deep into the growth of the drone industry

Located on the campus of UC San Diego

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Program Highlights

Gain experience with drone operations, maneuverability and actual flight operations in an open field.

Read air traffic and weather reports to identify all the vital information needed to start piloting drones safely.

Dive into the capabilities of drone photography and videography, as drones are revolutionizing TV and film.

Upon program completion, receive your certified amateur drone pilot's license to fly drones legally.

Residential Price: $4,498 USD (+ supplemental fees)

Extended Commuter Price: $3,398 USD (+ supplemental fees)

Commuter Price: $2,798 USD (+ supplemental fees)

Late July: July 25-August 6, 2021

University of California at San Diego
San Diego, CA

Course Overview

Drones are being sold in record numbers and taking to the skies. The FAA estimates that there would be more than 2 million drones registered by the end of 2019 in the US.

But did you know that in 2020, you have to be certified as an amateur or professional to legally fly a drone? If you have a passion for STEM and media, sign up for the Summer Springboard drone cinematography course for teens and ultimately receive proper certification so that you can fly safely and legally.

Meet your instructor

Instructor and Curriculum Developer

Brandon Murphy, MBA

instructor - brandon murphy

This course was designed by Brandon Murphy. Brandon has worked with small businesses and Fortune 8 companies for over 13 years, bringing a wide range of expertise to RJ Films. He is responsible for setting the company-wide strategies and building our business, while overseeing the sales & marketing.

Topics you'll explore

Hands-On Learning

The drone market is changing and growing at a rapid pace. During this program, you will gain experience with actual flight operations and maneuverability in an open field, as well as discover the impact drones are having on film. With the technical capabilities and high quality of video, drones are an excellent tool for filming and taking video. Each student will have access to their own Tello, a mini drone that makes flying fun and easy.

Career Exploration

What started as a fun hobby is now one of the fastest growing industries. Gain hands-on drone operations experience and work with a professional drone pilot to learn skills used at large companies such as Amazon, UPS and AT&T. In fact, Amazon Amazon plans to deploy 450,000 drones by 2020! Test flights are already being conducted by Amazon in the US and in the UK. Excursions may include a drone delivery testing facility or drone research center.