The University of North Texas (UNT) recently integrated Sony’s latest professional camera technology. Undergraduate and graduate students now have access to the FX6 cinema camera and HXR-NX800 handheld camcorder to learn the fundamentals of media production, get acclimated to the tools that will be used in their careers, as well as enhance their creative vision on real-world projects – including narrative and documentary storytelling.

In collaboration with Texas Film Gear, the university upgraded its technology, with the NX800 4K model – with 20x optical zoom lens, a variable neutral-density filter, AI- powered subject recognition and high-precision autofocus – for its introductory film production courses, while the FX6 Full Frame Cinema Line camera is used for intermediate and graduate level courses.

Brandon Gaesser, assistant professor at University of North Texas Department of Media Arts and interim chair for the department’s production committee, teaches undergraduate students and students enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program, with a focus on documentary filmmaking. Sony said that when the department had an opportunity to replace its aging camera technology, Gaesser sought a solution that would align with industry standards, give students the relevant skills and experience for the workforce.

“We chose Sony because we felt that would best prepare and position the students for entry-level roles as camera operators, and cinematographers at production companies. Sony has a robust camera lineup that is widely used by working professionals and having familiarity with the menu structures and button layouts helps students seamlessly transition into those positions,” said Gaesser. “These are cameras that are very user-friendly and easy to teach the students. The students can pick them up and learn them quickly, building muscle memory that extends across the Sony lineup.”

UNT’s MFA students, who are standardized on the FX6, have taught undergraduates in the school’s Introduction to Media Arts Production course to operate the NX800, which aims to provide both levels of learners with the fundamentals to easily navigate other cameras within Sony’s ecosystem.

“Because Sony has made consistency a priority in its camera lineup, our graduate students, who are trained on the FX6, said it’s been incredibly easy teaching the NX800 because it’s basically a miniature FX6 with a built-in lens; the menus and button layouts are the same,” said Gaesser. “Going in reverse, learning the NX800 in the intro course is now making it significantly easier for undergraduates to learn the FX6 when they move up to our intermediate film course (Film Styles Production).”

Sony said that the cameras aim to allow the students to capture observational content in dynamically changing environments and lighting.

“The feedback we get on the image quality is terrific – from the FX6s, in particular. The students have been excited about the beautiful results when we look at their dailies and this helps to build their confidence. The powerful and trustworthy combination of capabilities helps our students focus on composition and framing, ultimately extending their creative storytelling.”