A new aerial filmmaking organization is urging more people to utilize drones in production. The newly-named Society of Aerial Cinematographers held an event Saturday at AbelCine in Burbank, which provided both the training area and camera gear.

The growing personal and commercial uses for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, the Society was created by Robert Rodriguez, who is also the director of technical operations for Technicolor Color Services.

During Saturday's event, which was attended by roughly 100 people, Rodriguez encouraged people to educate themselves about issues surrounding drones. He said the U.S. is "the only country" that has regulations for UAVs in production.

"This makes it difficult for people to market themselves as aerial cinematographers," Rodriguez said. He also said tax initiatives was already costing work opportunities to leave the country, adding "we don't need another piece to go."

According to Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Les Dorr, for commercial operation of a UAV in the U.S., owners need a licensed pilot, certificated aircraft, and FAA approval.

Another speaker at Saturday's Society of Aerial Cinematography event, Rich Hanson, the public relations director for the non-profit Academy of Model Aeronautics, said there is more grey area with the FAA than it seems.

Hanson pointed out a proposed interpretive rule for the FAA which would create a "very narrow" definition for recreational UAVs and therefore would subject production drones subject to regulation. The AMA worked to extend the comment period for this rule until Sept. 23 to allow for more time for filmmakers to understand and pose comments on the UAV rule. Rodriguez told attendees to comment on the issue before the extension deadline passed.

"Unfortunately, a large amount of public sentiment has [been] built against this industry," Hanson said. "The equipment is out there and there's no education about what people can and can't do."