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Student Production Safety

Equipment Workshops

School of Film, Television, and Media Arts

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Equipment Workshops Equipment Workshops

Production Workshops

For the 2025/2026 academic year, all tech sessions will continue to have attendee limits for each session. There are one or  two sessions available on each scheduled workshop day, each will run for 1 to 2 hours. See calendar for details.

Workshop Information and Registration

DUO login required for access to these links:

Video Resources

Wondering what the heck a C-stand is, or trying to tie a square knot? Along with our workshops, you can find extensive lighting & grip information videos.

Have questions or concerns?

Please contact sof_workshops [at] emerson.edu (sof_workshops[at]emerson[dot]edu) for assistance.

Production Workshop Topics

ARRI Alexa 35

These workshops cover menu operations, chroma, color bit depth, building the camera, ARRIRAW, ProRes 422 HQ workflows, and media downloading procedures. Upon completion of this workshop, students may be eligible to use the Alexa 35 for MFA, BFA, and potentially BA projects, depending on coursework registration and availability. This is the EDC "Approved Operator" certification workshop.

Canon C70

The Canon C70 has joined our inventory and is available for numerous courses. Come have a hands-on session where we consider the basic functions and go over many of the features that make this compact Super35 camcorder great.

Log, LUT's & Looks

This workshop will cover Canon C-Log and ARRI LogC4 recording which are available on a number of our camcorders. These recording modes unlock advanced "flat" logarithmic and Hybrid Log-Gamma Picture Profiles, enable HDR (high dynamic range) and SDR (standard dynamic range) recording for dynamic post production color grading as well as a unique in-camera workflow for flexibility in post and delivery. Newly tuned picture tone settings provide improved image control.

Anamorphic Workflow

Designed by cinematographers for cinematographers, the Orion Anamorphic Prime Lens kit from Atlas Lens Co. produces a vintage anamorphic look for Super 35-sensor cine-style cameras. The 40mm creates a wide-angle field of view with the shallow depth of field found in a telephoto prime. Anamorphic lens characteristics include "waterfall" bokeh, streak effects, and a spherical aberration glow when used wide open.

Advanced Grip and Overhead Safety

These workshops cover rigging when using oversize or overhead grip equipment such as the "Butterfly" frames and their included scrims as well as the Menace arm lighting extension rig and moving rigs such as the Kessler Jib. Crew and equipment safety is the primary focus of these workshops, however, setup and operational use is covered as well. These are EDC "Approved Operator" certification workshops.

Paramount Soundstage Rigging Certification

The Paramount Soundstage Rigging Bootcamp covers grip equipment, electrical safety, and setting lights from a technical standpoint and completion allows students to crew on a soundstage project. These sessions cover a range of items such as C-stands, dolly and track, overheads, hanging lights from ceilings and other rigging points, setting a backlight, rigging a menace arm, dolly use, and some camera rigging. See the Paramount Soundstage schedule for further details. These Rigging Boot Camps are held at the Paramount Soundstage (PARA 403). These are certification workshops for soundstage crew positions.

Camera Stabilizers

To improve the quality of your handheld filming on your next dynamic camera production, consider using one of the excellent Easyrig Minimax support systems for use with the A7sII, X-T3, C100, or C70; consider the Easyrig Vario 5 for use with the larger ARRI Alexa 35 camcorder.

The Easyrig Vario 5 requires potential users to read our Easyrig Vario 5 guide, and answer a single question to become certified for its reservation and use.

Please be advised that we are no longer vending the Steadicam Zephyr system.

ARRI Academy at Emerson College

In the ARRI Academy Certification course, which differs from the basic EDC checkout certification, SoF staff will guide you on a deep-dive into all things ARRI Digital. 

We will cover how to set up and operate the Alexa 35, record video in HD1080, UHD, or 4K, using ARRIRAW and Apple ProRes recording modes. We will also demonstrate the use of the available lenses and accessories, how to process the recorded files, and prepare media for the post-production workflow. We will discover when ARRIRAW or ProRes log files would be beneficial to use. Then, show you how to configure camera settings and start recording and monitoring along the way. We'll also cover the file transfer process so you can get the recordings ready for post-production.

Learning Objectives

The objectives of this course are to ensure you can safely operate an advanced 4K camcorder system including specifying equipment inventory, checking its contents, and returning the camcorder package to the Emerson EDC in the same condition in which it was received. 

Other subjects include:

  • Inventory of the Alexa 35 camera package
  • Setup the camera for normal recording
  • Available accessories and their uses
  • Adjust internal settings to record high-latitude Log footage
  • Breakdown and wrapping the camera package for return to the EDC

Grip Tutorials

The School of FIln, Television, and Media Arts utilizes an array of specialized film production equipment that requires safe and effective handling and operation.

The following linked videos are available on Panopto (login required):

Grip Tutorials