Proposal

Narrative

NOTE: The programs mentioned in this proposal will be located at the Fort Lauderdale campus instead of the Davie Campus. The proposals are not impacted by this relocation.

The Technology Fee proposal comes from the School of Communication & Multimedia Studies where we serve 1200 majors across two BA programs: Communication Studies and Multimedia Studies. The proposal also serves two additional programs and is an interdepartmental and intercollegiate endeavor representing and intersecting with some of the interests of the Department of Computer & Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the College of Engineering & Computer Science; the Department collaborates 6-12 credits per student to the School’s Media, Technology & Entertainment MFA. Ergo, this proposal is to bring the digital FVNM production components of the curriculum in line with current media and entertainment practices, an industry that generated $717US billion (2018) and is estimated to grow to $825US billion (2023). Newly allocated funds will be used to add a superior 6K Blackmagic digital camera, lenses and accessories and an Alienware tower, 34” monitor and peripherals that will be used for digital media projects produced by students at Davie where the majority of the production courses take place for the MMS FVNM BA and MTEn MFA. Students working with 2K–8K digital film, the industry standard, will access the camera. Footage will transfer to the deluxe tower in LA425 where a student can edit, composite, render, color and export their film, animation and XR project with ease. Having a powerful computer suite and a 6K camera available allows students to become competent with new technology, learning from faculty engaged in the M&E industry, effectively developing and designing professional portfolios for internships and careers in creative fields like film, TV, gaming, animation and VFX, fulfilling SUS placement objectives and providing frameworks for “enhancing technology infrastructure to promote research and education” and “incorporating new technologies to promote institutional development” goals for FAU’s Strategic Plan for the Race to Excellence (2015-2025).

Facilities

The Alienware computer tower, the curved monitor, and its peripherals are ideal for the LA425 digital workspace, currently outfitted with a DTS 7.1 surround sound system, amp, mixer, keyboards and audio recording equipment. The Alienware tower will replace an underperforming iMac, provide both undergraduate and graduate students with extremely fast processing speeds for 2K through 8K digital film, compositing, visual effects and VR/AR/MR. Further, the computer will allow students to deploy a number of software packages at one time, something the current computer can’t do. LA425 is accessible to students every semester and our SCMS production equipment hub (LA419) is where the Blackmagic digital cinema camera kit, its lenses and accessories will be located. Following workshops with faculty, the Blackmagic camera will be made available to advanced undergraduate students in production courses such as Documentary Video Production (RTV 3332C) as well as MFA students working in digital film, compositing and XR for Experimental Cinema (FIL 6409). The proposal supplements recent Tech Fees awarded for “SCMS VR Upgrade for Multimedia Studies Labs” (2017) and “VR-AR-MR Game Upgrade for Multimedia Studies Labs” (2018).

Hardware Requirements

1 x 6K Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 1 x DaVinci Resolve Software Package 1 x Tilta Camera Cage 1 x Tilta Baseplate 1 x SmallRig Shoulder Mount 1 x IndoPRO Tools V-Plate Mount 1 x Sigma 18-35mm Art Lens 1 x Hoya 72mm Digital Filter Kit 1 x Rokinon Lens Bundle 1 x Manfrotto 504HD Head w/ Tripod System 1 x Lowepro M-Trekker Backpack 1 x Samsung 1TB T5 Portable SSD 1 x Atomos Shinobi 5.2” 4K Monitor 1 x Atomos AtomX 5” Cage 1 x SmallRog Magic Arm 1 x Atomos D-Tap to DC Cable 1 x Arco Video Bag 1 x SWX Coiled D-Tap to 2-Pin Cable 1 x Watson Pro D-Tap 1x4 Splitter Cable 1 x Rode NTG1 Shotgum Mic Kit 1 x Auray Windbuster for Shotgun Mic 1 x Blackmagic Mini-XLR to XLR Audio Cables 1 x Core SWX HyperCOre Slim 4 Battery Kit 1 x Core SWX Fleet 2-Bay Charger ---------- 1 x Dell Alienware Aurora R9 Tower 1 x Dell Alienware 34” Curved Monitor 1 x Dell Alienware Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Software Requirements

We currently use standard preinstalled software that accompanies new computers. The current desktop image built by OIT also provides software access to word processing, design and production software for Windows and Apple computers distributed between SCMS instructional labs in Davie. Depending on the platform, most of the software packages include Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere, After Effects, Audition, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.); Apple’s Final Cut Pro, Compressor and Motion; Autodesk’s Maya and MotionBuilder. Our software subscriptions are often addressed through other complimentary Tech Fee proposals, other sources of the SCMS funding, or open-sourced, such as Unity’s 3D game engine, Audacity or Pure Data. When new software is acquired, we ask OIT to assist with installation and deployment. Therefore, software installation will include DaVinci Resolve which is a color correction and non-linear video editing application for macOS, Windows and Linux, originally developed by da Vinci Systems, and now developed by Blackmagic Design. The software package is complimentary (free) with the purchase of Blackmagic cameras. General updates to the software will also be free. Aside, the Blackmagic camera will require periodic firmware updates. Faculty, graduate teaching assistants or SCMS production support staff at Davie will do these.

Personnel Costs

There is none at this time. Often, faculty from SCMS, graduate teaching assistants, and production staff manage production labs and equipment resources. OIT will assist with the installation of computers and software.

Other Costs

There is none at this time.

Timeline

Equipment/Hardware Acquisition – March/April 2020 Equipment/Hardware Installation – April 2020 Equipment/Hardware Deployment – May 2020 Equipment/Hardware Firmware Installations and Updates – May 2020 Equipment/Hardware Software Installations and Updates – May 2020 Equipment/Hardware Testing – May 2020

Sustainability

Continued maintenance of digital film resources and computer hardware from trained faculty, graduate teaching assistants and production support staff. Hardware and all equipment warranties will be extended when applicable. Through regular student use and anticipated general maintenance the equipment should last three to five years, allowing SCMS to pursue additional Tech Fees for other critical digital production equipment and lab updates. Additionally, community and university partnerships will continue with South Florida vendors and tech industry companies offering digital production and computer support and representation such as Dell, Alienware and Blackmagic Design. Further, unlike an all-in-one (AIO) computer such as an iMac, a new tower computer will allow hardware to be easily upgraded, cutting back on potential future costs.

Resource Matching

There is none at this time. However, the School of Communication & Multimedia Studies is committed to actively pursuing additional funding available through internal FAU grants, as well as external grants that include the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts), NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Currently, I have an external grant under review with the South Florida Cultural Consortium. Funds, if awarded, would be used for costs associated with research projects including Rockets’ Red Glare, a 4K-feature film that’s in preproduction. Further, I’m collaborating with Philip Lewin an Assistant Professor of Sociology on a large-scale project called The Visible Injuries of Poverty that will take a team to Central Appalachia to investigate people suffering from poverty and dental disease. The objective is to complete a number of written articles and interviews for a documentary. A grant was recently submitted to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for this project. Part of the grant, if awarded, would go to travel, resources, equipment rentals and purchases, course buy-outs, graduate research assistants and production crew. Each project listed herein would give SCMS faculty and grad students the opportunity to employ new technology for research and creative activity that’s engaging and educational.

Implementing Organization

The School of Communication & Multimedia Studies under the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters with assistance from OIT.