•Managed the growth of diverse, international teams of television and web production specialists.
•Developed production strategies for broadcast and online media.
•Developed efficient IP-based workflows for hybrid live and live-to-disc platforms.
•Built outside relationships resulting in better products and over $100,000 in savings.
•Mentored broadcast and web producers, encouraging them to create great products.
•Taught graduate level Social Media and New Media Technologies.
Mr. Skarka has always been the "go-to" guy for new projects and the revitalization of old. He led the development of production techniques at unique facilities in three countries. These efficient, flexible platforms allowed for corporate expansion at an accelerated rate. He developed processes allowing for quality mainstream broadcast and web production.
Mr. Skarka's unique background in broadcast, web and Social Media led to an invitation to teach a variety of graduate-level New Media Technologies classes at Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Contact Danny using the “Contact Me” button at the bottom of the page.
WORK HISTORY
ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY, San Francisco, CA 2010 – present
Instructor, Social and New Media Technologies
- Developed extensive class outline, presentations and instructional syllabus for the class in Social Media, Digital Journalism and Professional Networking.
- Taught graduate-level students the approach and techniques for using digital and social media as a professional tool.
CURRENT TV, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Milan 2005 - 2009
A Satellite, Cable, and Web Platform founded by Al Gore.
Head Technical Director
- Controlled the development and deployment of broadcast and online production facilities in San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, and Milan; built global production teams.
- Built productive, positive relationships with manufactures and outside contractors resulting in a net savings of over $100,000 in two years.
- Accomplished the goals of Current's non-traditional broadcast and web programming, developed teams and business partners and techniques to ensure full success of productions.
- Directed live global broadcasts and online productions, coordinating new ideas, technologies, and requirements of multiple international channels.
FREELANCE PROJECTS 2000 - present
Technical Operations Manager
- Consulted on traditional and new media broadcasts requiring a diverse knowledge of techniques to match production and budget requirements.
- Served as industry expert and lead beta tester for Ross Vision-QMDX multiformat production switcher, as well as BUG.TV Class Bug media playout software.
- Technical Director for global product introductions at Apple, Microsoft, Cisco, Sun Microsystems, HP, Symantec and IBM.
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA 1984 - 2005
Lead Technical Director and Crew Chief
- Managed the day-to-day operations and scheduling of the production crew; coordinated the use of facilities among various departments.
- Served as Lead Operator in the layout of technical facilities with an emphasis on efficiency, flexibility, and ergonomics.
- Developed and maintained best practices to ensure that production facilities we ready to handle varied and time-critical demands of the news operation.
- Created branding EFX for news and specials that visually identified KRON, yet allowed for easy integration into a variety of productions.
- Technical director for primary broadcasts and specials including news, sports, and special events both in-studio and remote locations.
KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA 1984
Technical Director
- Performed as fill-in Technical Director for evening newscasts; camera and audio operator for news and local programming.
SATELLITE NEWS CHANNEL, Stamford, CT 1982 - 1983
Channel was an ABC/Westinghouse cable news joint venture.
Technical Director
- Part of the construction team for initial build-out of the startup facility.
- Initial tester and integrator of production equipment as the facility was built.
CNN, Atlanta, GA 1981 - 1982
Senior Technical Director, (1981 - 1982)
- Acted as lead operator in the fast-tracked development of CNN Headline News.
- Designed and built video branding effects; designed control room layout.
- Worked as Technical Director for live national news, sports, and specials.
- Field and studio camera operator, audio operator, editor for a variety of news based programs.
EDUCATION and ASSOCIATIONS
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Member, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
PROFICIENCIES
New Media (user-generated media, social networking), New Technologies (server-based media management, streaming media), Software and hardware usability, Macintosh platform, HTML, Apple Final Cut Studio, broadcast formats and media codecs.