Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Kotrady.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Joe. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
At the young age of 23, I graduated from the fire academy and shortly thereafter I went to school and became a licensed Emergency Medical Technician, “EMT.” I then became a volunteer fire fighter for the City of Plantation. As I continued to work as a volunteer firefighter, I was also presented with the opportunity of an internship working as a private investigator with a local agency. It didn’t take long to realize that this job filled the void of the adrenaline rush I had come to love in the fire department. I spent the next 2, years working full time conducting undercover surveillances. After completing my internship, I applied with the state to open an investigation agency of my own. In mid-1998 at the age of 25, I was granted approval of my new business Vision Investigation Agency. I spent the next 18 years growing my business and my reputation in the investigation sector. Over the 18 years I witnessed the growth of this industry and the ever evolving changes. The changes were inevitable as the internet and public databases became easier to access. I saw the writing on the wall and knew it was time for me to change directions as well. Thankfully during this time, I had my family’s electrical contracting company Mr. Electric to fall back on. It was here that I had the opportunity to successfully run a multitude of large scale job-sites but best of all I was able to work alongside my family. As time went on the entrepreneurial side of me was still there and I was once again had a longing to create my own company out of something that I was passionate about.
I am driven and have a desire to be innovative and creative. As a child, I loved anything that was fast and had a remote control such as cars, boats, planes and motorcycles. Not only did I enjoy operating them but I was also fascinated by the technology behind them. In 2013 a company by the name DJI released the first ever ready to fly out of the box drone, and here I was once again feeling that passion I hadn’t felt for years. What started out as a hobby has now grown into a new venture and business, Skyview Productions.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would love to say that it has been a smooth road, but there have been some ups and down and some challenging times. But in my eyes, it has all been worth it. I haven’t always been the most studious of students, so when I learned that I needed to have my Part 107 license I knew that was something I was going to need to ace. Thankfully after a number of late nights and long days of studying I passed it on my first try. My timing of this couldn’t have been better since this exam had only recently been made available. I learned so much from the course, along with other avenues available to this industry such as online test prep courses as well as pod casts. Some folks may think that flying a drone is just about hitting the launch button. But there is so much more to it. There are many restricted areas, that you need prior approval to fly in, there is also mother nature that you must always contend with, and of course, there is technology that still has its hiccups and constant updates. To be successful in this industry requires not only the ability to capture the image or video, but also the expertise in video production and editing. I have learned to tell stories with my images that are portrayed based on my client’s needs.
Outside of the hundreds of logged flight time hours just to achieve that cinematic look, there’s getting the right credentials, there is also the challenge of starting a new business. It is amazing to see how many different facets drone imaging can be used for.
As a business owner, my first decision was who to market to initially. Construction sites was the easiest transition for me due to the many contacts I had made during my time at Mr. Electric. Within a few months my company was working within many industries including, real estate, marinas, boating, car dealerships, high-rise construction, and even stock pile measurements. One of my more challenging accomplishments within drone flying was the work we do for the Florida Powerboat Club. This allowed me to become a more experienced flyer having to launch and land from offshore powerboats while capturing video of these racing boats averaging spends between 70 to 90 mph across the ocean.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Skyview Productions – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
According to recent studies, in the next three years the drone industry anticipates that more than 70,000 jobs will be created in the United States with, an economic impact in excess of $13.6 billion. By 2025 the economic impact is projected to be $82 billion. At Skyview Production we aim to be one of the top major leaders in the Southeastern United States.
Proudly based in South Florida, with hundreds of hours of logged flight time Skyview Productions FAA part 107 certified pilots are professionally trained, efficient, and highly skilled with 27 years of experience. Aerial footage is only as good as your drone operator.
That’s why we have built a team of highly skilled UAV film makers to execute the precise maneuvers and end product. We ensure the highest quality drone footage for each and every project we work on. Our team is adamant about providing you the full photographic and/or video experience needed for your project or that evidence needed to succeed in your case.
We specialize in aerial photography for off shore power boating, yacht sales, construction projects, stockpile measuring, 3D modeling, realtors, resorts, commercial & residential property investors, home owners, golf courses, private investigators, accident investigators, insurance adjusters, special events and more.
We use a variety of different drones depending on the scope of your project. All our drones and camera equipment have 4K shooting capability. From initial concept to the final edited piece, our aerial drone footage will take your video project to new heights.
Our drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAVs) can fly over water, navigate around obstacles, fly autonomously and reach speeds of over 60mph. Therefore, there are few limits to what you can do with our drone video services. Along with drone video we offer standard video packages to capture footage from the ground. Promotional videos require more than just an aerial attack. So if you’re looking for a professional video we offer full service video production utilizing the latest version of Final Cut Pro X to highlight your product, service, experience, or message.
At Skyview Production, we truly enjoy working with our clients and understanding their vision. Your project and strategy is our goal, to capture your vision in the video format our clients request. We are committed to producing an end product that focuses on our client’s individual goals. We look forward to working with you for your aerial drone photography and video needs.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In fact, yes, Skyview Productions is gearing up for many big plans for the future. Recently, I received a call from a long-time friend Joe Rubbo. Mr. Rubbo is the owner and creator of South Florida’s #1 lifestyle TV show called VIP TV. Mr. Rubbo invited Skyview to come into their studio for a business interview during one of their live audience tapings. It was during this time that I had the honor and privilege to meet a gentleman by the name of Ciro Dapagio.
If you don’t know this name now just give it time, you soon will. Ciro Dapagio is the executive producer and lead character in his new film series called “The MobKing”. Like they always say it all about being in the right place at the right time. After learning that The Mobking has been filming throughout Miami and the South Florida area without the use of drones, I felt the need to step in. Needless to say it was then that I offered Skyview’s aerial video productions to assist with his current video productions team, 1st Place Studios. Skyview is just days away of being granted our waver from the FAA allowing our drones to fly in the city’s restricted airspace, then let’s just say the rest will be history. The Mobking is based on a true story of a lengthy prison sentence, Mike White (Legal name but known alias to law enforcement) is coming home to a world changed drastically by technology and a mindset of just trying to live a normal life running his Gentlemen’s club and taking care of his family. But the streets of Miami are relentless and the lure of easy money and rackets a temptation that a man like White will find hard to resist. His trip to the joint only enables him to strengthen his resources and man power and true to any gangsters nature he rose to the highest levels of the Prison hierarchy as a leader of the most powerful prison gang during that stretch.
Now with law enforcement of all agencies vowing to bring him down and a whole host of old and new enemies and alliances to deal with, Mike White will need every ounce of fortitude to in which to forge his own destiny within the crime riddled boundaries of South Florida. Be sure to follow The Mobking on FB for the latest information and upcoming premiere events. To keep up to date with Skyview and all our new and exciting work flow you can subscribe to our monthly newsletter on our website at www.skyviewpro1.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.skyviewpro1.com
- Phone: 9544448251
- Email: joe.skyviewphoto@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Florida Powerboat Club
Gus Machado Ford
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