The Future of Filmmaking

A group of digital film production students from the College of Arts and Sciences has embarked on a two-week pilot program to Taipei, Taiwan to access a state-of-the-art virtual LED studio at Shih Hsin University for unique competitive career training. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was made possible by the generous partnership and continued support of alumnus Nathan Chow, MS ’01, DPA ’11, who is the chairman of the board of the country’s esteemed institution.

The virtual LED studio is the “future of filmmaking,” according to Professor of Digital Film Production Morgan Sandler, who is leading the educational trip. The studio is one of the most advanced facilities of its kind, equipped with multi-million dollar cutting-edge technology used by industry professionals inside Hollywood for big budget films, television shows, commercials, as well as within the greater virtual production industry. The set is made of a sophisticated virtual ceiling, floor, and three walls that can seamlessly transport viewers into real or fictional locations.

“This is a really exciting partnership for the University of La Verne. These students are getting an opportunity to learn how to use something that they’re absolutely going to need to learn within the film industry over the next few years,” Sandler said.

University of La Verne and Shih Hsin University students will take six all-day classes together with half of the day spent learning how to use the LED set technology from a Shih Hsin University professor and the other half expanding their knowledge of the American film industry with Sandler. He will also teach technical lighting and camera work for a non-virtual set. Both groups will also work on a newly-built practical set, requested by Sandler, which will be used for future projects. Outside of the classroom, University of La Verne students will delve into the culture and history of Taiwan, integrating their classroom learning with real-world cultural immersion experiences.

Sandler anticipates further collaborations and opportunities to visit Shih Hsin University thanks to Chow’s dedication to the program and the University of La Verne as a whole. Learn more about the digital media program here.

The Nathan Chow Film and Television Studio, located inside the Arts and Communications Building on the La Verne central campus, is celebrating its first anniversary this year since its renovations were completed. Chow’s generous donation of $2 million dollars to the program has significantly upgraded the program’s facilities and expanded its stock of equipment, which now include ARRI Alexa cameras, RED cameras, professional lighting and grip equipment, and DaVinci Resolve color gradient software. The former broadcasting concentration has also been renamed the Nathan Chow Program of Film and Television.