(SECAUCUS, NJ -August 31, 2007) With a new school year starting, Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) is deploying Panasonic AG-HVX200 P2 HD camcorders and AG-DVX100B mini-DV 3-CCD 24p camcorders as exclusive acquisition resources for instruction and production.
The School of Theatre and Film, under the umbrella of ASU's Herberger College of Fine Arts, has 75 film majors and more than 200 pre-film majors in its program, which awards Bachelor degrees in Directing, Producing and Cinematography. Four HVX200s and 10 DVX100Bs are used for classroom instruction in Production 1 & 2, Directing for Film, Cinematography, and Acting for Film and Video courses.
"With responsibilities for the production end of the department, I made a deliberate decision to outfit our entire organization with Panasonic cameras," said Janaki Cedanna, Film Studio Manager, ASU. "Hands down, Panasonic has the best entry-level professional cameras out there. As a filmmaker myself, I have used all other types and brands of cameras, and in my estimation the DVX100B is not only an amazing camera, but also provides the students with 24p recording at a reasonable price. The HVX200s cameras are terrific."
"I'm not a fan of HDV, as I think it's old technology with many compromises," Cedanna added. "With the HVX200, Panasonic bypassed all that and created a camera that produces stunning images, is flexible and very affordable. The variable frame rate was likewise a major selling point for me."
During the first year of the film program, the HVX200 cameras were used extensively to shoot PSAs, television shows, celebrity interviews, commercial spots, multi-camera shoots at university events and documentaries. Plans are in place to use the camera for full-length feature shoots. Students are assigned a DVX100B in their introductory classes for short film productions, and "graduate" to the HVX200 and a tapeless workflow once they have completed key assignments.
"The tapeless workflow is pretty simple for us," Cedanna explained. "We have an assortment of 16GB, 8GB and 4GB cards, and we show the students how easy it is to take a P2 Store into the field and assign a person for offload. We have done very lengthy takes and interviews with students hot-swapping the cards with no issues."
Cedanna designed a 24-station edit bay that utilizes Apple G5 towers and Final Cut Pro Studio 2 software. He uses Imagine Products' HD Log and P2 Log with the HVX200, and Panasonic mini-DV decks for transfer of DVX100B material.
"We've used the cameras very heavily this past year and they've performed flawlessly," Cedanna noted. "I'm very pleased with the images the students produce. I'm the one who teaches the students and faculty how to use and care for the cameras and related equipment, and Panasonic has made my job quite easy. I consider the company an important strategic partner not only in the launch of the film school but also throughout its existence."
For more information about ASU's Herberger College of Fine Arts, visit http://www.herbergercollege.asu.edu
About the AG-HVX200
The ultra-versatile HVX200 records in 1080i and 720p in production-proven 100 Mbps DVCPRO HD quality, with the ability to capture images in 21 record modes. The camera records video on a P2 card as IT-friendly MXF files in 1080/60i, 30p and 24p; in 720/60p, 30p and 24p; in 50Mbps DVCPRO50 and in 25Mbps DVCPRO or DV. The HVX200 can capture fast or slow action in 720p at various frame rates--the first time this function is available in a hand-held camera. The shooting frame rate in 720p native mode can be set for any of 11 steps between 12fps and 60fps including 24fps and 30fps.
About the AG-DVX100B
Incorporating exclusive CineSwitch™ technology that supports 480i/60 (NTSC), cinema-style 480p/24fps and 480p/30fps image capture, Panasonic's DVX100 series of mini-DV camcorders has set the standard for affordable 24p acquisition and been proven performers with hundreds of independent movies, TV programs, commercials, and documentaries to their credit. Like its predecessor, the new 1/3" 3-CCD AG-DVX100B offers outstanding audio performance, extensive auto and manual controls, and a CineGamma curve that truly emulates the rich look of film.
About Panasonic Broadcast
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company is the North American headquarters of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC) of Japan, and the hub of its U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, access the company's web site at http://www.panasonic.com/broadcast
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