International. San Francisco State University, SFSU, uses several Blackmagic Design digital film cameras—as well as DaVinci Resolve Studio, the editing, color grading, visual effects (VFX), and audio post-production program—in its Film School classes, workshops, and labs.
The institution employs more than 40 Blackmagic Design cameras and adapts its curriculum by assigning equipment based on students' level of knowledge in introductory film courses, graduate theses, graduate careers, and actual productions.
According to Christopher Wooten, a professor at SFSU, the Film School has been using Blackmagic Design cameras since 2015. "The transition from celluloid to digital technology required tools to create a cinematic aesthetic, and that's exactly what Blackmagic cameras allowed us to achieve from the get-go. Sure, there are many options on the market, and filmmakers will have their own opinions on cameras, but students would find it difficult to find a more versatile solution. Their ease of use, image quality and competitive price make them an excellent alternative, both for institutions and beginners in the field of cinematography," he said.
Wooten is a generalist in film and animation. As such, it is linked to a large number of courses covering the introduction to cinematography, film laboratories, production design and the process of creating films that are part of the theses, among others.
"SFSU has a long history in the production of experimental, documentary and narrative cinema, which implies a wide spectrum of perspectives and capabilities, both in the initial phase and in post-production. Therefore, I need to adapt to different disciplines, and I need tools that adapt to me and provide me with the quality and stability so that my students can develop their creativity regardless of their approach. This is where Blackmagic Design cameras come into play, with their ease of use and professional features," he explained.
The SFSU uses approximately 30 Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K units, six Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and five Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 units, as well as several DaVinci Resolve Mini Panel devices along with DaVinci Resolve Studio software for color grading and digital cinema package (DCP) creation in its specialized rooms.
"In our classes, specific teams are assigned for each level of learning. As students progress through the course and learn how to use them, we provide them with access to higher-end ones. The Pocket 4K are used from introductory courses, and 6K models, mainly in documentary creation, but they have also been incorporated into cinematography and thesis courses. Meanwhile, the URSA Mini Pro cameras are used in higher and graduate level classes that include narrative and documentary productions. Resolve has been present in all the subjects related to cinematography, and I have also implemented it in my editing courses," said Wooten.
In closing, he commented: "The current situation in the industry has opened our eyes to alternative perspectives regarding the tools we use. As standards evolve, I'm excited to support our new creatives with tools that expand their visual vocabulary with fewer distractions and greater competition. As a teacher, I really like the transition I see in students towards creation from a visually attractive and expressive perspective."
