FDM Undergraduate Student Equipment Overview
The UCSC Film Department provides all the production equipment needed for our undergrad production students. As students progress through the production curriculum the amount and kind of the equipment available gets bigger and better. A special feature of our undergraduate program is that students are able to check out a camera kit with a partner and keep it for the duration of the quarter. This kind of access to equipment enables students to gain a greater level of familiarity with the equipment and spend more time in the field with gear actually working on and creating their projects.
The following is an overview of the Undergrad equipment pool and is not a comprehensive list of equipment. Different production classes have different equipment allocations. Currently enrolled students can log into the “UCSC Web Check Out” system for a current list of equipment that is available to their cohort.
Cameras
The Blackmagic Pocket Cine 6k camera with both an 18-35mm lens and a 50-100mm lens is the main camera for our narrative classes. This camera with the fast f 1.8 Sigma lenses produces an exceptional image.
The Sony FS5 combined with an 18-105mm lens is the work horse camera for our documentary classes. The ergonomics of this camera make it ideal for “run and gun” style shooting and general field use.
The Sony NX80 is the camera camera FDM students start on. It has an integrated 18x zoom lens for a great range of shooting situations.
Other camera options include the:
Go Pro Hero 10
Camera One (wide and 360 degree lenses)
DJI Phantom 4 Drone
Lenses
In addition to the kit lens, students have access to lenses for special applications such as wide angle, telephoto, macro or “fast/ low light” lenses. There are models from Nikon, Zeiss, Sony and Sigma.
Tripods/Monopods and Stabilizers
A variety of Manfrotto fluid head tripods and monopods will keep your shot steady. Dollies, stabilizers, sliders and shoulder rigs let you add movement to your shots.
Audio Recorders
Audio recorders range from higher end units with excellent preamps to small highly portable handheld units and even a 360 degree unit recorder. Models include Sound Devices MixPre 6, Zoom H5, Roland R-26, Tascam Ambisonic.
Microphones
Shotgun, cardioid, omni, wireless lavaliers, stereo, vocal, pickup, boundary, contact, surround and even underwater microphones are available. Manufactures include Sennheiser, Neuman, Sony, Shure, Rode, SEA2, Oktava, Audio Technica and AKG. Boom poles and “blimps” will get your mic close to your subject and protect it from wind noise.
Lighting
The FDM Department has moved to mostly LED lighting. There are some higher wattage tungsten kits available as well. Most of the LED lights have an option to run on battery power making them adaptable and convenient for a variety of uses. From small highly portable LED panels, spots and color wands to high wattage Arri and Lowell fresnel kits with softboxes you will find what you need to light up your project.
Specialty Gear
Ipads, Wacom Tablets, portable projectors and screens as well as VR Headsets are available.
Support/Grip Gear
Extra items to round out equipment packages would include, boom poles, microphone stands, reflectors and reflector stands, c stands, gels, xlr cables, power cables, etc.
For specific questions about FDM production equipment please contact the Checkout Lab Manager at “fdmcheckout@ucsc.edu or 831-459-1960.