Private arts and media college Columbia College Chicago (IL) recently acquired four Panasonic AK-HC931B HD multiformat studio/EFP cameras for a new mobile production truck that will be used for instruction and field production.
The truck, which will go live later this fall, will familiarize students with a full complement of production gear in addition to the cameras. The AK-HC931Bs, with 1080i/720p capability, are outfitted with Fujinon XA17x7.6 BERM HD zoom lenses with 2X extenders, as well as color LCD viewfinders and 2in HD electronic viewfinders for alternate studio/handheld use. Additional Panasonic production equipment will include the AJ-HD1400 DVCPRO HD compact VTR and two Panasonic BT-LH1700W 17in LCD monitors used for quality control monitoring.
Columbia College is equipping the truck through a business arrangement whereby local ABC affiliate WLS-TV will lease the truck for a specified number of days over three years. The college, however, will have full and general use of the van. The partnership also provides WLS internships for Columbia College Media Arts students.
The college’s television and audio arts and acoustics departments, part of the School of Media Arts, designed and built the production van under the supervision of chief engineers Dave Mason and Brett Johnson.
For more information, visit www.colum.edu and www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
