Helicopter to buzz campus for commercial shoot

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UNL's 2011 national television commercial is about to create a buzz on campus - and it's only in pre-production.

Starting at 6 p.m., Sept. 23, a helicopter will skim across campus rooftops and around Memorial Stadium to film scenes for the TV spot. The commercial will expand on the "Put Yourself on the Map" theme used in UNL's current ad, shown primarily during television broadcasts of Husker football games.

"We want to let people know that this is happening so they don't worry," said Jon Humiston, creative director for University Communications. "The helicopter will be doing multiple passes across campus, mainly across the arts corridor, the green space north of the Nebraska Union and approaches to Memorial Stadium from the north and east."

The production also includes a call for at least 500 Husker fans to sit in Memorial Stadium. Those who attend will be filmed and included in the commercial.

Fans of all ages can participate and must pre-register online at http://go.unl.edu/tvsignup.

Participants should wear Husker game day gear - red is preferred. Check in starts at 6:45 p.m. at Gate 3 (southwest corner) of Memorial Stadium. Filming is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. and finish by 9 p.m.

Like the current national TV spot, the new commercial will feature the work of Chris Ervin, a 1995 Fine and Performing Arts graduate. NET is also providing equipment and staff for the shoot. The production is led by University Communications.

"The main purpose of this spot is national exposure and to show the bragging points of the university - especially to a new audience on the Big Ten Network," said Andy Schadwinkel, marketing director for University Communications. "The spot will use Nebraska football to talk about our academic successes."

The production is estimated to cost around $12,000. Schadwinkel said comparable commercials by other universities have cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"Even though this is going to be a big production, we are spending very little overall," said Schadwinkel. "We are very proud of that."

For updates on the status of the shoot, go online to http://www.facebook.com/unl.edu.

- Troy Fedderson, University Communications

More details at: http://go.unl.edu/tvsignup