Students enrolled in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication (NQSC) have access to a diverse array of production technologies, from dedicated computer labs to production studio space to a staffed and stocked equipment room for use with all manner of multimedia projects. The resources in the NQSC are an integral part of our student-focused curriculum designed to provide students with personal, hands-on experiences that will prepare them for careers in the professional world of communication across a wide variety of majors.
VIDEO STUDIO
The video studios provide a real-world laboratory for students exploring careers in the broadcast, corporate media, and television news industries. The studio suite is comprised of two studio areas and a central control room. Each studio space includes full professional lighting fixtures, grids, and controls. Studio A is over 1,300 ft2 and includes a fully functional news set, green-screen wall, and production monitors. Studio A supports weekly student newscasts, class sessions, and independent student productions. Studio B is 800 ft2 and acts as a flexible studio area supporting class instruction and independent student productions.
The Central Control Room provides access and control for both studios. The studios include four HDTV cameras with professional teleprompter systems. The heart of the control room is an integrated Ross Video Carbonite Switcher, XPression Media Server, and XPression Graphics system. The equipment and facilities in the TV Studios are designed to create an integrated learning environment for students interested in production, producing, directing, and on-camera performance. Programming from the NQSC TV Studio can be streamed to Facebook, YouTube and other services, providing a worldwide audience for HPU student productions.
MIRIAM AND STEVE KIMSEY GAME AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA LAB
The Miriam and Steve Kimsey Game and Interactive Media Lab is made up of three distinct facilities: eSports Arena, Maker Space and Game Lab. The eSports Arena and Game Lab are equipped with Lenovo LEGION T730 gaming computers (1.5TB RAID Hard Drives, i9-9900processor, 32GB system RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX2000GPUs). Students have access to virtual reality headsets such as the Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR, and a game library that features consoles from the Atari Video Computer System through Xbox One.
The Game Lab provides students access to programming and graphics design in a classroom environment. The Maker Space allows students to collaborate on game concepts and designs. The eSports Arena is home to the HPU eSports Club –hosting teams in Call of Duty, Rocket League, Valorant, Overwatch, Rainbow 6 Siege, League of Legends, Fortnite, Smash Ultimate and others.
PODCAST STUDIO & AUDIO BOOTH
The Podcast Studio is the newest addition to the NQSC, allowing students to record their own regular podcasts using the RODE Podcaster Audio Console. Up to 4 local students/guests may participate in the Podcast Studio with two remote guests through cellar and computer interfaces.
Next to the Podcast Studio, NQSC has a Vocal Booth. This “audio closet” allows students to record audio tracks for a variety of projects, from podcasts and audio interviews to voice-overs for video projects.
BEACON LAB
BEACON Lab stands for Biometric Evaluation, Analytics, Cognitive Observation and Neuromarketing. While it’s a collaborative effort between the Phillips School of Business and Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, any and all schools and majors can utilize the lab.
In the BEACON Lab, students use biosensors that measure a participant’s brain activity, micro changes in perspiration, eye tracking patterns and more while reading or looking at something on the computer screen. The information collected tells students if someone is engaged or not and the type of emotions they are feeling.
COMPUTER LABS
The NQSC has four computer labs. One PC lab also supports the Survey Research Center (SRC) as it conducts high quality public affairs and social science research using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods. A second PC lab is part of The Miriam and Steve Kimsey Game and Interactive Media Lab. Two Apple iMac Labs are used for audio/video editing and graphic design. Standalone iMacs located around the building complement the Apple computer labs, providing additional audio/video editing and graphic design resources.
DRONES
The NQSC offers a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Drone Certification program where students will be trained in the safe operation of drones for commercial aerial photography and videography. Students study the FAA regulations, learn advanced weather observation, aeronautical charts, flying limitations and air space classifications. Students get extensive hands on experience with their assigned drone. The class concludes with students taking the FAA Remote Pilot Exam.
Drone Photography and Videography is offered for students with the FAA Remote Pilot Certification. Students sharpen their drone skills through assignments and projects that prepare them for commercial drone work.
REMOTE & FIELD EQUIPMENT
NQSC students have exclusive access to a variety of video camera systems for assignments and projects as part of their classwork. Students can use a Newtek Tricaster for live field multi-camera productions. 4K Video Production is standard with several different camera models. A variety of microphones, camera support and lighting kits support student production.
In the equipment room, students can check out Panasonic 4K cameras complemented by a host of support gear including from Samson Concert 88 wireless kits, iKan IB508v2 LED light kits, Tascam DR-40 handheld audio recorders, and a variety of microphones (Sennheizer, Behringer, Shure). Other cameras – ranging from GoPro Hero 3+ to DJI Osmo to BlackMagic Pocket Cinema to RED Camera – give students the opportunity to use many different types of gear to craft their projects. Those with an eye for adventure can even take the DJI Phanton 2 Vision+ Drone for a spin.
SCREENING ROOM
Exhibition of student work is just as important as production, and the Screening Room within the NQSC provides a space for the public dissemination and analysis of student projects.
