UK’s First Women only PFCO course

 

Teaching a drone workshop in Switzerland at The Evolve Videography retreat

I am pleased to announce that I am joining The Aerial Academy as a flight instructor

I have now been flying drones professionally for over four years. I am a camera operator and shooting producer/director for TV and I have flown drones for major TV companies including the BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and various independent production companies. I have appeared on BBC 5 Live, BBC News channels, Good Morning Britain and in The Guardian as a drone industry spokesperson and expert.  The past 12 months I have become a public speaker and educator.  So now I feel that this is the next move for me and for a while I have tried to find the right NQE to join.

I am very excited about joining The Aerial Academy and for many years have admired the company’s ethics and focus on delivering high-quality drone training, from experienced drone pilots to those starting out in the drone industry. I am looking forward to working alongside owners Jonathan Carter and Elliot Corke and working alongside the other instructors.

Part of the reason for running this course is to share my passion to encourage more women into becoming part of the drone industry.  There is  the potential for a level playing field for women in the drone industry, but also realise that some women may be intimidated being the only woman on a PFCO course – so we are launching a UK first PFCO women-only course. Starting this initiative with a limited one-off course which we expect to be in high demand. We have already have had a number of women book on the course.

It will be held on 13/14th May 2019 in the Manchester/Sheffield area.

Why we’re running a women-only course

Approximate figures suggest that women only make up 3% of the UAV industry – as a company we would love to see that rise and think that this course might be the answer.

For a long time it has been known that women are not joining the ranks of professional drone pilots. Studies are underway to understand why women are not becoming professional pilots, but in the meantime we hope that this course will be received as a positive move by the drone industry.

How to book 

To unlock the booking use the special event code ‘AllFemale’
https://dronetraining.co.uk/book-now

Or call Alexandra on 0161 883 3897

On this course you will get the usual high standard of support from The Aerial Academy with 12 month support and guidance after the course, Ops manual creation and a dedicated pro facebook group.

“The Future is Female Drone Pilots”  Photo by Joolze Dymond

Looking forward to meeting those of you who are joining me in May

Carys –

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The PFCO course is for anyone who wants to use their drone commercially in the UK to gain insurance and be safe legal.  Please note it is still the law not to fly your drone as additional skills on the side of a paid project.  If you are gaining  financially  for any part of a shoot you must be legal.   See my PFCO Link 

 

 

#WomenWhoPhoto Campaign

Way back in November 2019 I was approached by The Photography Show after appearing in the Guardian to see if I would be interested in speaking at The Photography Show and The Video Show in Birmingham. Strange how that felt like a lifetime ago and here it is just around the corner. The organisers also asked if I would be a Women Who Photo ambassador.

The WomenWhoPhoto campaign aims to inspire and celebrate women who use a camera for stills and for video.   There are many more who are speaking over the 4 days and it is not just the ambassadors. There are other women speakers across all the days but some of us have chosen to be featured.

The gender imbalance in the Photography, Video, Camera operators and of course Drone Pilot’s still exist and if we can highlight this and inspire others to take up the profession or as a hobby this would be amazing.

The BBC Highlighted four of the ambassadors in Women Behind the Lens 

These campaigns are so important to inspire other women to take up photography and film making as a hobby or in a professional capacity to just to become more balanced.

Come along to the panel discussion on

Saturday 16th March 15:00 – 15:45  on the Photo Live stage

Keys to success – Building your profile

We will be discussing how to price your projects, how to build and maintain confidence and how to promote your work.

Have a great weekend

Do say hello if you are attending.

The Drone Lass

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Evolve Filmmakers retreat

I have known for a while that I am heading to Switzerland in November to speak at Evolve Filmmakers retreat, I will be doing an introduction to using drones section. I am very excited. The aim of the retreat is increase your story telling skills and as well as increasing your confidence and also network with a wide variety of film makers from all over Europe and the UK.  Carrying on from yesterday’s blog post I think it is really important that you don’t hold yourself back, invest in your training as a freelancer is really important.

My friend and colleague Emma Wilson has opened up two final places on her Evolve Videography Retreat in Switzerland – Two days of immersive learning and practical exercises and three nights of good food and great conversation in a five star spa hotel with like-minded female filmmakers, all expenses paid*

More reasons to book onto this FEMALE ONLY workshop, Evolve NOW:
1. BE INSPIRED and learn from an experienced and successful female wedding filmmaker and former BBC Trainer with guest appearances from Sharrone Califiore, Fiore Films and The Drone Lass (me)
2. THE CHANCE TO SHADOW Emma on a European destination wedding, expenses paid.
3. LEARN NOW, PAY LATER – payment available in instalments so you can BOOK now with a deposit and take advantage of this ‘once-a-year workshop’ and be ready for 2019
*Flights to Switzerland currently around £40.00 RTN

** this workshop is all about hands-on and fully immersive learning and only for those women ready to take their business to the next level

So feel free to share this blog post and link to Evolve Videography Training link 

I would recommend talking to Emma as she is very inspiring.

If you are thinking why female only please read this post 

Happy #filmmakerfriday and #femalefilmmakerfriday

Looking forward to meeting everyone in Switzerland.

The Drone Lass

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