Communication Arts has state-of-the-art facilities for all stages of production. We strive to constantly update our gear to keep up with ever-changing technology. As students move toward advanced courses, the gear becomes more sophisticated and professional. We follow industry standards of production and focus on preparing students for careers in film, television, documentary, and other forms of media.
CA355: Intro to Media Production
Communication Arts 355 used the Panasonic GH5 with Sachtler Ace tripods to shoot 4K video. Students have several zoom lenses to choose from and can use LED light kits, boom poles, reflectors, and wireless microphones. Students edit on Adobe Premiere Pro in the Hamel Family Digital Media Lab. The Lab’s storage allows students to move from computer to computer without the need for a hard drive and provides space for collaboration.
CA465 & CA609 Editing
Students in Communication Arts 465 utilize Adobe Premiere Pro to hone their skills in editing and post-production. Students are introduced to Davinci Resolve for color correction and meet in the Hamel Lab.
Communication Arts 609 teaches students to use Premiere Pro to edit, Davinci Resolve for color correction, and Pro Tools for sound editing and mixing. Students create DCP files for projection in 4070 Vilas.
CA466 & CA609 Screenwriting
Screenwriting students in Communication Arts 466 use Celtx. They return to this software in CA609: Feature Screenwriting, where students write a complete feature film in a semester.
CA467: Cinematography and Sound Recording
Communication Arts 467 students use Black Magic 6K Pro cameras with Zeiss prime lenses. In pre-production, students create overheads with Shot Designer software. They record audio with Sound Devices Multitrack 633 recorders, wireless microphones, and Sennheiser and Audix boom microphones. Students shoot double system using a timecode slate and synchronizing timecode between the camera and recorder. Students use our studios for many of their productions and have access to a full complement of grip and lighting gear, including LED lights, C-stands, combo stands, flags, etc. Students can use a Dana Dolly or a skateboard dolly for camera movement as well. They use Davinci Resolve for synchronization and color correction, and Adobe Premiere Pro for editing, learning to round-trip between the two applications.
CA651: Advanced Video Production and Direction
Students in Communication Arts 651 shoot on the Canon XF400 camera and use boom and wireless microphones. They edit their projects using Adobe Premiere Pro.
CA659: Advanced Motion Picture Production Workshop
Communication Arts 659 students use the same gear as students in CA467. In pre-production, students use Celtx for scheduling and script breakdowns and Helios Sun Tracking software. They learn to use a Ronin 2 and an Easyrig for camera movement. Students also use a car mount for scenes in vehicles. They have access to additional lighting gear, including Aputure 1000c lights, 8×8 frames, and additional grip gear. Films from this class are edited together in Adobe Premiere Pro, color-corrected in Davinci Resolve, and sound mixed in Pro Tools. They use 4070 Vilas to watch rough cuts and work in progress on DCP.