AUTV20 shows off unique aerial shots around campus

Viewers who tune in at the top of every hour to JDM's 24/7 cable outlet on Armstrong, AUTV20, will see AU's campus from a unique perspective in the coming days.


Five new AUTV20 station IDs (Station Identifiers) began airing this week featuring spectacular aerial footage from a drone-mounted HD camera dubbed, "JDM-1." The short spots also feature the voice talent of WRDL 88.9FM Advisor, Steve Suess.

The unique video perspective comes courtesy of JDM Operations Manager, John Skrada's newest "toy," a four prop drone with an HD camera hanging on a gimbal underneath. 

"Flying the drone takes a bit a practice to learn but I flew it a lot this summer around my old high school football field and was impressed with how good the video looks." Skrada said. "The footage this system produces rivals very expensive helicopter shots."

For AUTV20 Advisor, Tim McCarty, it's classic John Skrada.

"Whether it's the production truck he built that JDM uses for our sports productions, or helping students edit, or a camera on a drone, John has an incredible passion for creating and helping our students create high quality media. We are so lucky to have him!" McCarty said.

Matt Tullis, an associate professor of journalism and the advisor to The Collegian, said Skrada is the glue that holds the department together.

"His adding a drone to his collection of industry-standard broadcast production equipment is just one more example of how John dramatically improves the look of AUTV20 productions," Tullis said. More importantly, he is giving our students the opportunity to learn another set of skills."

Check out all of the new aerial station IDs on the JDM YouTube Channel and look for more aerial footage this semester on AUTV20!