Hollywood Pushing to Legalize Filming Via Small Drones

HOLLYWOODLAND—Anybody remember the beginning of the movie Blue Thunder? There's Roy Scheider and his partner patrolling the skies in their police helicopter—except that whenever there's a break in the action, they scoot over to a particular section of the Hollywood Hills where they can hover near one of those hilltop mansions and watch a svelte blonde doing her exercises—in the nude. To our knowledge, that's an image that has never been incorporated into a XXX-rated movie. Well, cheer up, 'cause all that may change in the near future. Seems the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has decided to get behind the request of seven "aerial production companies" to push the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to greenlight the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs, or as we better know them, "drones") for filming movies and TV shows in the United States. "Unmanned aircraft systems offer the motion picture and television industry an innovative and safer option for filming. 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," said Neil Fried, the MPAA senior VP for Government and Regulatory Affairs. "We welcome the FAA’s leadership and support their guidance to safely authorize the use of UASs for the motion picture and television industry." And the movie industry isn't the only sector pushing for legalizing the use of drones. Everyone's heard about the supposed plan by Amazon.com to use drones to deliver merchandise purchased online from the company, but in fact, farmers, power companies and the owners of oil and gas pipelines are champing at the bit to use drones to inspect crops, power lines and pipelines for leaks, damage, fire, etc. And rest assured, with a powerhouse like the MPAA behind the request, the FAA is taking it seriously. "We have been contacted by four different industries, including the film industry, that have expressed interest in possibly applying for an exemption that would let them conduct tightly controlled, low-risk operations," acknowledged FAA spokesperson Les Dorr, noting that those wishing to use the drones will need "a certified aircraft, licensed pilot and FAA approval." The FAA expects to have a proposed set of rules for small drones—under 55 pounds—ready before the end of the year, with Dorr admitting that "We think we have the authority to possibly expand the commercial use of small unmanned aircrafts in very limited, controlled, low-risk circumstances, like movie sets." Movie sets, indeed! So, adult content producers, start thinking about all the "voyeur" type situations whose filming a hardcore scene could begin with an aerial shot of two (or more) people getting it on in someone's fenced-in backyard, or on someone's rooftop. The sky's (literally) the limit!