With athletic seasons in full swing, students have been going to various games in order to snap pictures that will forever freeze these emotional moments for athletes and their peers to look back on. However, photography is not the only art capturing these events at Joliet West this year. Mr. Mirus, one of the AP Literature teachers, has started bringing a drone to several school games, recording the action from an angle no one has been able to experience before.
Mr. Mirus has only been droning for one year, inspired by his travels outside of the country, wanting to see scenery from a different perspective. There are some areas in these locations that one cannot spot with their own eyes, as there is no way to hike over to them. Drones fly high through the air, giving the technology an advantage at viewing these hidden gems that are otherwise invisible.
What started as a way to take incredible images of unforgettable places, became a way to take incredible images of Joliet West’s football field.
At the homecoming game, Mr. Mirus took thirty minutes worth of footage, later breaking this down into a two-minute clip uploaded to his Twitter account. Tons of work goes into each individual clip, most being planning heavily in advance. The batteries on drones don’t last long, so knowing what shots to aim for and how long to film is critical.
As well as the homecoming game video, there are several other droning projects Mr. Mirus has worked on, such as the ones from the recent Powderpuff game and other football events, posted online, all racking up hundreds to thousands of views along with positive feedback. Zoie Summers, a Joliet West senior, says, “The drone shots are aesthetically pleasing and are enjoyable to watch.” With time lapses and different angles incorporated throughout, they end up capturing games in a fresh, artistic way that catches the attention of even those who normally do not follow athletics.
What makes this sudden appearance of a drone at West surprising is the uniqueness of it, as most schools only have cameras at sporting events. Mr. Mirus says, “Cameras capture the event, but drones capture how the event fits in with the world.” Drones can help tell a story in ways that cameras cannot, allowing one to see beyond the football field.
As the school year progresses, new sports will begin, and Mr. Mirus would love to continue droning for these upcoming teams. West students and athletes are more than excited for these keepsakes that they can cherish for the rest of their lives.