The University of Melbourne’s media production studio facility manager Dr. David Beesley explained, “The new integrated media production studios were proposed and constructed to address the growing demand and need for practical, applied learning across the Faculty of Arts. We wanted the new studios to provide exceptional facilities that are purpose-built and would thus improve the student experience. The new facilities were required to provide students with an exceptional opportunity to enhance their learning experience in a hands-on, applied learning environment. Their capabilities would also support teaching, research and public engagement across the Faculty of Arts and broader University community, allowing us to meet the diverse needs of our students, academics and partners. I’m delighted to say Videocraft Pro delivered all of this and more.”

Videocraft sales director James Taylor said, “The University of Melbourne initially asked us to consult on the project, so we could help them create a studio facility for students where they could learn how to work in a real live TV environment as part of a team. They also wanted us to propose a cost effective and powerful system which would be the heart and backbone of the new studios. It was an incredibly rewarding project as we knew we were helping educate the television and broadcast professionals of the future.”

After the initial consultation and winning the tender Videocraft Pro got to work on the design and implementation of the new studios.

Dr Beesley continued, “Videocraft Pro’s winning proposal included the fit out and integration of the AV for our new integrated media production studios, comprising of five multimedia podcast suites, a small TV studio and control room, a dedicated main audio space and control room, a large TV studio and control room and a machine server room. In truth the project grew from what was initially going to be a single studio to an integrated precinct with the power and capability to cover all media production bases.”

As a result of the new build the ground floor of the university’s Babel Building has seen a significant improvement in facility offerings for its Faculty of Arts students and staff.

Taylor added, “These new facilities are all networked together so they provide students with an exceptional opportunity to enhance their learning experience in a hands-on, applied learning environment. They can recreate live crosses and remote production with the highest-quality video and audio from any location to any location and deliver live streams out of the studios to external providers and other educational facilities.”

The design and build of these new studios was no mean feat as the University of Melbourne had comprehensive technical requirements that needed to result in professional facilities which would enable hands-on learning in an environment that embodies best industry practice and contemporary digital workflow but also caters to a diverse range of skill levels and allows future expansion.

Videocraft’s solution included Blackmagic vision switchers, routers and cameras, Riedel comms, Yamaha QL1 and QL5 audio desks, a Dante audio network, Rodecaster Pro II podcast suites, EditShare storage, V-Mix and SRT for external connectivity and an interactive screen.

The university uses their new studios for hands-on teaching and learning across a variety of undergrad and post-grad courses within the Faculty of Arts, specifically the School of Culture and Communication, School of Language and Linguistics and the Centre for Advanced Journalism amongst others.

The university typically uses its new studios to create and help with podcasts, news broadcasts, media training, live-crosses, media experts, audio storytelling and live events with students writing, producing, directing, crewing and being on-screen talent.