Project Description
Digital technologies, especially photos & video, have become an integral part of teaching and learning in higher education. Access to the tools and technologies is essential for student success. The Digital Media Production Studio and Digital Media Editing Circle will provide students with many of those tools currently not available or limited to select students.
MultiPurpose Digital Media Production Studio
The production studio will be a flexible space that allows the students’ creativity to flourish. The area will contain three main “stages”: a conversation stage, a large presentation stage, and a headshot stage. A fully-outfitted production cart will be in the middle of all these stages that will rotate between each space as needed. The cart will have three cameras for multiple angle shots and professional microphones. All areas will have prepositioned, professional lighting to achieve professional results.
The Conversation Stage will be designed for intimate interviews and conversations between one or two people. Soft seating and plants will give this space a casual feel.
The Large Presentation Stage will be perfect for larger group photos or interviews. There will also be two mobile lecterns for presentation practicing or debates. Students will be able to choose from multiple backgrounds to achieve their desired look.
The Headshot Stage will be preconfigured for one-click professional headshots. Students will be able to edit the photo further in the Editing Circle or can choose to email or upload the image to a cloud service instantly. Students will be able to select from multiple portrait backgrounds to achieve their desired look.
Digital Media Editing Workstations
The Digital Media Editing Worksations will have all the necessary hardware and software tools you need to make any project look professional. There will be seven iMac computers with software such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro, and iMovie. The computers will be reservable through the current Library room reservations system and open to all students.
These spaces will build on an initiative already started within the Libraries. The Library has recently received a private donation to create a four-person video podcast room located in room 229. The three spaces will provide all the tools necessary for students to succeed with their digital media projects.
Benefit to Student Learning
Digital technologies have become an integral part of teaching and learning in higher education. Access to the tools and technologies is essential for student success. The Digital Media Production Studio and Digital Media editing Circle will provide students with many of those tools currently not available or limited to all students.
Library staff has contacted teaching faculty and the Division of Digital Learning to work with them on potential assignments and projects that could utilize these spaces.
Project Sustainability
Without a dedicated technology budget, the Libraries rely on technology fee funding to implement innovations and replace aging equipment. Extended warranties are included in all purchases, and obsolescence is anticipated. By staggering purchases, surveying staff and users regularly, and monitoring new technologies, the Libraries keeps current on users’ technology needs. The Libraries’ Libtech staff, with UCF IT assistance, support and maintain existing equipment and plan for future enhancements.
Technology Fee Proposal Budget Narrative
Digital Media Editing Workstations
The editing circle will consist of 7 iMacs with all the necessary software. The iMacs will be purchased from the UCF Technology Products Center and carry the maximum AppleCare terms.
MultiPurpose Digital Media Production Studio
The large presentation stage will combine backdrops, lighting, and furniture. The background will be two seven-foot backdrops with swappable paper backgrounds. Students will be able to choose between nine different backgrounds for their photos. There will also be a large curtain that expands to twenty feet to accommodate large group pictures with a seamless environment. The lighting will be a combination of nine professional lights. The furniture for this stage will be four posing stools for group photos and two campus standard lecterns for practice speeches or presentations.
The headshot stage will be pre-laid out and set up so the students can sit down and press one button to get a professional-looking headshot. There will be six different backgrounds, a standard touch-screen computer with photobooth software. The Canon camera will be prepositioned and focused on capturing the headshots. There will also be professional lighting and reflectors to maximize the lighting.
The conversation stage will feature two low-back soft seats with a table and plants to give the space a casual look. Five professional lights will be purchased for the area, one backdrop, and two additional color Led tube lights to change the ambient background color.
The technology cart will contain all the audio and video components needed for recording. There will be three cameras on the cart to capture multiple angles in both spaces. Wireless microphones will be used to capture the audio in both spaces. All the video and audio will flow through the Blackmagic ATEM mini-pro. Students will be able to capture all their recordings from this device. There will also be two iMacs in the room. One will be on the cart and will be used for AV production. Without tying up the production cart, the second iMac will be against the wall for additional editing needs.
Space Administration
No space is needed for the project.