University of North Texas Goes Big with Sony’s Camera Technology

The University of North Texas (UNT), a Tier One public research university in Denton, Texas, with a strong focus on career readiness, artistry, and innovation, has made significant strides in enhancing its media arts curriculum by integrating Sony’s latest professional camera technology.  Both undergraduate and graduate students now have access to the FX6 cinema camera and HXR-NX800 handheld camcorder to learn the fundamentals of media production, get acclimated to the tools that will be used in their careers, as well as enhance their creative vision on real-world projects – including narrative and documentary storytelling.

In collaboration with Texas Film Gear, the University upgraded its technology, selecting the NX800 4K model – with 20x optical zoom lens, a variable neutral-density filter, AI-powered subject recognition and high-precision autofocus – for its introductory film production courses, while the FX6 Full Frame Cinema Line camera is used for intermediate and graduate level courses.

Setting Up Students for Continued Success

Brandon Gaesser, assistant professor at University of North Texas Department of Media Arts and interim chair for the department’s production committee, teaches undergrads and students enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program, with a focus on documentary filmmaking.  When the department had an opportunity to replace its aging camera technology, Gaesser sought a solution that would align with industry standards, give students the relevant skills and experience for the workforce, and set them up for continued success.  Furthermore, he wanted cameras that would be ready to use, out of the box, without requiring additional accessories and investment to build out.

He explained, “We chose Sony because we felt that would best prepare and position the students for entry-level roles as camera operators, and cinematographers at production companies.  Sony has a robust camera lineup that is widely used by working professionals and having familiarity with the menu structures and button layouts helps students seamlessly transition into those positions.”

Consistent and User Friendly Operation

As someone who learned the trade on Sony’s PXW-FS5 and PXW-FS7 cameras, and owns Sony models, Gaesser emphasized the ease of use and learning curve in teaching students to use the equipment.  “These are cameras that are very user-friendly and easy to teach the students.  The students can pick them up and learn them quickly, building muscle memory that extends across the Sony lineup.”

UNT’s MFA students, who are standardized on the FX6, have taught undergraduates in the school’s Introduction to Media Arts Production course to operate the NX800, which gives both levels of learners the fundamentals to easily navigate other cameras within Sony’s ecosystem.

Gaesser observed, “Because Sony has made consistency a priority in its camera lineup, our graduate students, who are trained on the FX6, said it’s been incredibly easy teaching the NX800 because it’s basically a miniature FX6 with a built-in lens; the menus and button layouts are the same.  Going in reverse, learning the NX800 in the intro course is now making it significantly easier for undergraduates to learn the FX6 when they move up to our intermediate film course (Film Styles Production).”

Proven Image Quality and Powerful Capabilities that Instill Confidence and Creativity

Image quality is a hallmark of Sony’s cameras and UNT agreed.  Often, the most critical proof point is the student’s feedback and experience.  In the MFA program, capturing observational, verité style content involves dynamically changing environments and lighting, and the Sony cameras have been up to the task.

Gaesser noted, “The students need a versatile camera that can adapt with them.  The FX6 does just that.  It can handle fast changing lighting situations, as well as low light, and offers high contrast, great dynamic range, an ergonomic form factor, and helpful autofocus.”

Additionally, he added, “The feedback we get on the image quality is terrific – from the FX6s, in particular.  The students have been excited about the beautiful results when we look at their dailies and this helps to build their confidence.  The powerful and trustworthy combination of capabilities helps our students focus on composition and framing, ultimately extending their creative storytelling.”

The benefits and quality resulting from the use of Sony’s cameras are noticeable and helping to support students’ job prospects and employability.  Gaesser summarized, “The students’ level of work has really increased substantially. They love these cameras, and so do we.”

Sony’s cameras have yielded positive results all around, enhancing the educational experience, curriculum, and quality of work.  With Sony’s cameras in their hands, UNT graduates are trained and prepared for their professional lives, as they look to transform the media landscape.