| LEADING FILM SCHOOL, CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY’S DODGE COLLEGE OF FILM & MEDIA ARTS, PURCHASES $1.6 MILLION IN PANASONIC HD DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTS |
|
Chapman and Panasonic Working Together to Advance Student Learning
|
| LAS VEGAS, NV (April 23, 2006) – Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts (Orange, CA), recognized as one of the nation’s foremost film schools, has selected Panasonic as its advanced digital video supplier to equip its new state-of-the-art studio complex. Chapman has purchased more than $1.6 million in Panasonic digital video products, ranging from advanced D-5 HD VTRs and HD studio cameras to HD monitors and hand-held DVCPRO HD P2 camcorders. In addition to the equipment purchase, Panasonic and Chapman will work cooperatively to further student education in video production, including Panasonic’s sponsorship of a “Filmmakers Grant” program at the school. The $31 million, 76,000-square-foot Marion Knott Studios, wrapping up construction on a site three blocks from the main Chapman campus, will be the new home of the Dodge College beginning fall 2006. Located just south of Los Angeles, Dodge College is comprised of the School of Film and Television, the Conservatory of Motion Pictures, and the Institute for the Study of Media and the Public Interest, and offers many avenues to study cinema through a complete, hands-on curriculum in a facility open 24/7. Dodge College’s current enrollment is approximately 1000. This broad purchase of Panasonic advanced production workflow products includes recorders (AJ-HD3700B D5-HD mastering VTRs, DVCPRO50/DVCPRO/DV VTRs, DVD and DV VTRs), cameras (AK-HC930 HD studio cameras and AG-HVX200 P2 DVCPRO HD P2 camcorders); 9” and 17” HD LCD production monitors; 42”, 50” and 65” professional HD plasma displays; 3-chip DLP projectors; and numerous accessories. Dean Robert Bassett has been the chief visionary behind the new Marion Knott Studios. The film school, modeled on a working studio, includes 4,000 and 2,500-square-foot sound stages and stages for cinematography, broadcast journalism/ television, Foley, Dolby surround mixing, and a green screen stage. Production facilities include 36 digital editing suites; set construction, voice recording and ADR/Foley facilities; and production design, audition, motion capture facilities. “Panasonic has made the commitment to truly make a difference in our environment, and is eminently qualified to be our partner in education and production,” said Dean Bassett. “Through our past investment in the company’s DV production gear (DVX100 series 24p cameras), we have seen Panasonic’s superior level of support. That remarkable dedication coupled with the company’s industry-standard digital production and digital mastering technologies persuaded us Panasonic could best support us in imparting to students the career skills and experience needed for today’s world of film and digital production.” “True passion for moviemaking begins with young filmmakers, and we are proud to be associated with some of most gifted students in the country through our partnership with Chapman,” said John Baisley, President, Panasonic Broadcast. “Through our on-campus involvement with the Filmmakers Grant program and associated activities, we hope to learn as much from the students as they learn from working with our cutting-edge equipment.” Through the HD Filmmakers Grant program, Panasonic will provide two AJ-HDC27 VariCam® HD Cinema cameras for a period of six weeks annually to allow the college to select one senior undergraduate and one third-year graduate student to produce a student feature as part of their curriculum requirement. “This is a fabulous opportunity for our students to use the industry-standard VariCam for their thesis projects,” noted Dean Bassett. The Dean explained that while the students produce projects in both 16mm and 35mm film and digital video, all work will ultimately posted in HD, then output to film and HD. The college has already taken delivery of one AJ-HD3700B D-5 HD mastering VTR, which notably has been used to finish a film-based project, an adaptation of the Carson McCullers short story, The Haunted Boy, that will premiere shortly in the Folino Family Cinema—and will be digitally projected. Students are likewise already working with HVX200 DVCPRO HD P2 camcorders, with a crew currently shooting a 15-minute documentary about the internationally-renowned sculptor Richard Serra, who recently created a large-scale artwork for the Orange County Performing Arts Center. “The image quality of the Serra footage is stunning,” Bassett said. “We expect that some students will utilize the HVX200 on their senior projects, especially documentaries.” Associate Professor Dan Leonard, Chair of Production commented, “The HVX200 represents a great introduction to HD filmmaking. It’s a highly portable, fully professional HD camcorder, with a real-time work flow, packing a powerful punch in a small box. It allows the shooter to move very quickly and capture shots of opportunity. The image quality is fantastic. The camera will be ideal for student-shot documentaries and lower-budget features.” Professor Leonard explained that the AK-HC930 1080i studio cameras will equip the college’s television studio, which broadcasts live news, sports and entertainment shows on a local cable channel. “The cameras will really upgrade our image quality,” he said. “We’re also considering using one of the HVX200s as a fourth ‘Audience Cam’ for the studio.” He added, “The students are tremendously excited about the HD Filmmakers Grant program, which begins next fall. It puts them on a parallel path with independent filmmakers, who increasingly are shooting their first features with the VariCam.” About Chapman University’s Dodge College About Panasonic Broadcast |