ALL SMG SESSIONS, DESCRIPTIONS, and PART NUMBERS

BASIC DRONE TRAINING PROGRAMS

107_FLT 107+Basic, Advanced, flight Training A full week of training (40 hours) including 107 test prep (2 days), risk mitigation, introduction to your sUAS (1 day) , basic flight training (1 day) and one day of advanced flight techniques.
107_OL 107 online training with live instructor 2-day online workshop with live instructor covering the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test,Regulations, National Airspace System (NAS), Weather, Loading & Performance, and Operations.  Each participant will be provided a prep-test manual.
FM_BAS Basic Flight Maneuvering and Technique This two-day training includes an introduction to risk mitigation, deep dive into the sUAS’s functionality, and a day of flight training in the field.
FM_ADV Advanced Flight Maneuvering and Techniques This two-day is for remote pilots who have completed the basic flight technique course or have logged over 50 hours of stick time.  This two-day course will be in the field learning advanced sUAS flight techniques. (Req FM_BAS)
FP_MAP Flight Planning: Automated/Mapping Flght A one-day field-based course focused on how to work with automation and mapping techniques with a sUAS.  Previous flight experience is recommended, but not required.
FP_INS Flight Planning for Automated Inspection A one-day field-based course focused on how to work with automation and inspection techniques with a sUAS.  Previous flight experience is recommended, but not required.

RISK MITIGATION, MANAGEMENT, ADMIN PROGRAMS FOR sUAS

OP_ADM Risk Mitigation& sUAS Decision-Making 4hr course focused on risk mitigation best practices. Highly recommended for those responsible for setting up & managing the sUAS program within their organization, as well as mangmnt & IT personnel who will be working the sUAS program.
OP_INTRO On-Site Best Practices & Safety Planning A 4 hr introductory course focused on best-practices in the field for an sUAS program.  Recommended for every organization, pilots, management, and IT personnel working with the program.
OP_PPO Integrating UAS for Enterprise/Business This is an introduction to how best to integrate the sUAS program into other organizational processes/procedures.  Best suited for management, IT, and the sUAS program director.

GENERAL PRODUCTION and NEWS GATHERING PROGRAMS FOR sUAS

NF_107 Night Flight (Planning/Executing) This course has both classroom (theory) and practical (field training), with 4 hours of night UAV flight best-practices and 4 hours of field training at night.  FAA required lighting will be supplied for the training.
BD_JRN UAS for Journalism/Reporting A full day of training focused on sUAS setup, pre-flight prep, and onsite management for a successful, efficient sUAS capture of content.
BD_TVB UAS for Broadcast/Small Production A full day of training focused on preplanning the production, sUAS setup, pre-flight prep, and onsite management.  This workshop also discusses best-practices for post-production efficiency.
BD_CNE Introduction to Aerial Cinematography An introductory course focused on key movements that every aerial cinematographer should perfect.  Remote pilots should have some experience prior to taking this course.
BD_PST Post-Production for Aerial Photo/Video This course focuses on post-production best-practices which actually start before heading to the field.  sUAS setup, pre-flight requirements are included in this discussion along with how best to edit content captured.

sUAS for PUBLIC SAFETY and SECURITY

PS_FOR1 Traffic/Accident Scene Capture/Workflow* An 8 hour course focused on field techniques for capturing a traffic/accident scene with an sUAS.  This course will include an introduction to 3D Mapping software processing as well.  50/50 field & classroom time
PS_FOR2 Forensic Scene Capture/Workflow* An 8 hour course focused on field techniques for capturing a forensic scene with an sUAS.  This course will include an introduction to 3D Mapping software processing as well.  50/50 field & classroom time
FP_SEC Flight Planning for Security Operations Security Ops require careful planning to avoid flights over people, obstacles, max. data quality & op. comparisons. 8hr course covers security ops for large&small events requiring full coverage of perimeters, subjects & secured areas.
PS_NFOD Night Forensic Scene Capture DEMON This is a 2 hour demonstration that we offer FREE of charge for any public saftey agency who schedules training with SMG.
TAC_01 Tactical FLGHT Ops (Outdoor) Theory&Prac This advanced flight class focuses on best-practices for outdoor tactical sUAS operations.  Coursework includes 4 hours of theory and 4 hours in the field practicing the flight techniques.
TAC_O2 Tactical FLGHT Ops (Indoor) Theory&Prac This advanced flight class focuses on best-practices for indoor tactical sUAS operations.  Coursework includes 8 hours of theory and 8 hours in the field practicing the flight techniques.
PS_NFOR Night Forensic Scene Capture* This advanced flight class focuses on capturing forensic scenes at night and includes 4 hours of class/theory on night flight and 4 hours working in the field at night.

sUAS for Municipal Infrastructure

CT_INFMGT Intro – Drones at work in Municipalities A 4hr course on sUAS use; from cadastres to Parks/Rec, traffic count, pedestrian flow, engineering, zone compliance, research.  Includes standing up sUAS programs, training, IT integration, data management & best practices for Municipalities.
CT_INF1 Drones for CityPlanning/Corridors/Roads* An 8-hr ADV flight course for remote pilots, with a focus on areas determined by the need of the class. Best-practices for aerial data capture for: cadastres,Parks/Rec, traffic count, pedestrian flow, engineering, zone compliance, research.
CT_INF2 Water Runoff/Drainage* An 8-hr ADV flight course for remote pilots. Flood control points, watershed, drainage systems,& water treatment best-practices is the focus. Mapping for future planning & real-time data capture for best practices for sUAS in water mangmnt.
Pix4D Training    
P4D_INT Practical/INTRO Pix4D This is a one day course designed as an introduction to the Pix4D 3D Mapping workflow, including prepping your sUAS for effective data capture, importing to Pix4D, and processing within the software.  (Capture, input, output w/MTP)
P4D_ADV Advanced Pix4D A continuation of the 1-day Pix4D INTRO course & will incorporate the ADV workflow with manual tie points, and RTK. Also applicable for anyone who has already worked in the Pix4D software & wants to better understand deeper functionality.
P4D_FLT Planning & flying techniques for Pix4D Typically combined with either INTRO or ADV Pix4D course.  Focuses on the sUAS setup for best-aerial capture to import into Pix4D.  Includes field (practical) training as well as pre-planning and post-capture techniques for a smoother Pix4D workflow
P4D_FUL 3-Day Course (INTRO/ADV+Risk Mitigation) 3-Day course incl. INTRO, ADV & flight training for Pix4D workflow. Field work incl. data capture w/ sUAS to be stitched in class.Best-practices workflow demo’d for optimal Pix4D output & delivery. Various outputs for multiple uses will be discussed.

Other Video Production and Post-Production Training

  The Art of Talking Heads (Corporate/Industrial video) Talking heads and wide shots in long-form business videos just don’t cut it anymore. Preparation and creativity can make the difference between acceptable and spectacular. Having the right tools is a great start, while proper planning, resources, and strategy will increase the bottom line while reducing the amount of time from shoot to delivery. Get an inside look at how you can plan, prepare, find resources which will set you apart and wow your clients.
  FOCUS ON Workshop: Video in the Corporate Environment

Audience: Producers, writers, directors and in-house corporate videographers who are working to secure jobs and create effective corporate & industrial videos.

These days, the talking head approach to long-form business videos just doesn’t cut it. Preparation and creativity can make the difference between acceptable and spectacular. Get an inside look at how you can plan, prepare and execute Corporate and Industrial videos that will set you apart and wow your clients.

  Creating Dynamic, Effective Training Videos Whether it’s product use, demonstration of technique, or simply a (usually boring) talking head, training videos are in constant demand!  Training videos today, are seen as the new “owners manual,” being embedded in to software and found on the web. Learn to create and produce effective training videos for just about any subject. This session is an overview of the process and equipment used to produce effective training videos, along with production tips and techniques to reduce time in both production and post production.
  Video to Go: Backpack Production Kits

Production kits are shrinking in size while growing more powerful. Whether it’s shrinking overhead space, or the desire to be a power-house, one-person production company, lightweight tools are the new focus for documentary, narrative, corporate, and education. In this session, we’ll see an 18’ production truck shrunk down into a large backpack or Pelican case.

Cameras, lighting, audio, and support systems will be demonstrated, with live audio and lighting as part of the session

  Optimize Your Video for Youtube & Facebook YouTube and Facebook, the new Broadcast Centrals are a huge opportunity for traditional and non-traditional broadcasters. However, both sites recompress video uploads, and this can cause a significant loss in quality. Knowing how to best edit and deliver for YouTube and Facebook will assure the least (if any) quality loss in uploaded videos, leaving your clients wondering “How did you do that?” We’ll cover best practices for editing, graphics, and encoding for the best possible image output for these two popular websites and discuss use of metadata to effectively drive traffic and provide important analytics to better understand your viewers.
  Producing Video for the Web

The Web is now the default option for much of the current video content now produced. There are unlimited viewing options at all times, with no limit to the number of viewers watching your content. This session outlines how to plan, shoot, optimize, edit, and format video for the web regardless of the source format. The session will also review best practices for converting/formatting existing video assets to delivery on the internet.

Audience: Producers, Editors, and camera operators involved in video production that’s destined for the web.

  What about 8K?

This In-Depth session is continuously updated to include the latest production and post- production tools, including newly released 8K technology. Camcorders, software, and displays have evolved to include 2k, 4k and more.  In today’s market, you must understand both the technology and the large format workflow to keep pace.  This session covers the latest gear, formats, codecs and optimal workflows, including where they are used, how they are used, and the costs associated with the various HD and hi-res video options.

Audience: Anyone looking to get a better handle on the HD/4K production equipment and post production formats including AVCHD, HDV, MPEG, 4k and other HD codecs, specs, cameras, peripherals and production workflows.

  Creative Lighting on a Budget Lighting has dramatically changed in the past decade, and frequently budgets don’t take lighting systems into account. Optimizing every scrap of brightness while creating the proper mood and ambience is critical whether it’s for interview, talking heads, corporate presentations, training, or education. Great lighting doesn’t need to come on a truck and certainly doesn’t need to be expensive. Light em’ up in this creative session where you’ll learn new lighting techniques that go far beyond the boring three-point kit.
  Lighting Techniques in the Field and on the Set This Lighting Session is designed to guide attendees through the fundamentals of successful lighting from simple setups to in-depth essential lighting techniques. After an overview of the most effective lighting techniques for all kinds of shots, this session also delves deeply into infusing creativity, overcoming challenging environments, and adding your own touch to any lighting set-up.
     
  Audio for Interviews and Corporate Production Audio is 70% of what the audience SEES and in this session, we’ll go into the various tools and techniques for the best-possible audio. We’ll look at shotgun vs lavalier mics, hypercardiods on a boom vs omni directionals in a studio environment, how to minimize and eliminate background noise for post, capturing everything you’ll need for great post-ready audio for best production sound possible without asking your client to spend an arm and a leg.
  Audio for Camera Operators

“Sound is 70% of what the audience SEES!” Sound is often the achilles heel of most video camera operators and in today’s world of the one-person-camera-crew it can’t be! The first step to bettering your sound recordings when you go-it-alone is to have the proper microphone mounted on your camera, and the knowledge and techniques to make it work.

In this session you’ll learn what mic(s) work best as a camera-mounted microphone. Whether you are using a full-on shoulder mounted pro video camera, smaller hand held type came, or DSLR there is a right and a wrong mic choice. Understanding how the on-camera mic works and how to shoot to capture the highest quality ambience and dialogue will not only better your sound recordings, it will also improve your visuals and the overall quality of every production you work on.

In today’s world of video production, camera operators need to produce quality sound. Your knowledge, techniques, and skills with the camera-mounted microphone could be the difference between being recognized as a professional or an amateur.

     
  Through the Lens: Shot Composition Techniques

Increase your production’s value by changing the way you look through the lens. Tell your story creatively and effectively. By choosing the right positions, angles, and lenses you can build powerful, emotional, and consistent scenes. This session is designed for the Producer/Director who needs to keep all aspects of a production in mind while composing the perfect shot.

Audience: Producers/Directors/Shooter who need to create strong images and make compelling film/videos while keeping the overall production and its audience in mind

  Finding your Shot: Powerful Shot Composition Techniques

Do you want to increase your production’s value through the camera lens? Learn how to shoot sequences and angles that tell a story and are friendly in post-production. Choose the right positions, angles, and lenses to build powerful scenes. Your audience and your editor will thank you.

Audience: Anyone who wants to understand the camera as a tool for generating strong images and making compelling film/videos. Great for still photographers making the transition to video.