AirVūz Celebrates Minneapolis 150th Birthday with Drone Focused Video

AirVūz, a Minneapolis-based site that enables drone pilots to share their videos, has produced “Minneapolis History: The Aerial Experience,” a drone-focused, documentary film that showcases Minneapolis, which is turns 150-years-old this summer.

The 15-minute video juxtaposes antique photos and archival material with modern-day drone footage, capturing the streets and skyscrapers of historic downtown. Jay Christensen, a producer with AirVūz, produced the video based on material compiled from the writings from Larry Millet, Twin Cities-based journalist and author who specializes in the history of architecture in Minnesota. The video, funded entirely by AirVūz, is narrated by Bob Michaels.

Driving in a car or strolling down the sidewalk is one way to get to know this beloved city, but flying through it above the streets and the lights offers even the most seasoned Minneapolis dweller a new perspective on the city at the edge of the prairie.

The short film opens with a view of the Guthrie Theater from Gold Medal Park, and starts its historical tour at the source of Minneapolis’ industrial strength: the Mississippi River.

“We’re very proud to feature Minneapolis History: The Aerial Experience on the Airvūz Official Channel,” says Tyler Mason, AirVūz director of digital media.

“The film, while being short and palatable, is incredibly detailed. It investigates the city’s eras of economic boom, and the reasons for times of bust,” Mason says. “The production discusses the politics of the iconic Minneapolis skyline, and memorializes buildings that no longer stand.”

“The film is an extraordinary testament to an extraordinary city,” he adds.

The video recounts triumph and tragedy throughout the years, beginning with the flour mills lining the river, which initially breathed life into the Midwestern metropolis, and moves on to stories about the Stone Arch Bridge, the city’s robust theater life, the Foshay bankruptcy scandal, urban renewal in the 1960s, and the city’s healing after the I-35 bridge collapse.

“I think the video is appealing to many audiences—those who appreciate drone footage as a vehicle utilized to tell a story, those who are drawn to urban history, and those who love and live in Minneapolis,” says Mason.

“The film demonstrates how the soul of Minneapolis continually withstands the test of time, and does so in an artistic and unique way.”

You can view the video below and watch a great variety of drone videos on the AirVūz site.