The Davis Catalyst Center provides students with opportunities to learn the art of video production through hands-on experience in a new state-of-the-art studio. The facility features a crown jewel LED wall, allowing students to explore modern filmmaking techniques.
Classes are taught by industry professionals and focus on developing skills such as storytelling, scriptwriting, videography, and editing using AVID and Adobe Creative Suite.
The Video Production 1 course teaches professional concepts including camera functions, shot composition, lighting principles, and audio. Students use these skills to produce various formats, such as commercials, documentaries, and music videos, while working with industry partners to build a professional portfolio.
An advanced course, Video Production 2, covers more technical areas like color correction, grading, and effects. Students in these programs can earn industry certifications for Adobe Premiere and Avid Media Cloud Composer.
A specialized course titled Virtual Production: The Future of Filmmaking allows students to explore the integration of live-action footage with computer-generated imagery (CGI) using real-time rendering and game engines like Unreal Engine. This curriculum covers motion capture, virtual cameras, and LED wall technologies.
Students may earn concurrent enrollment credit from Utah Valley University upon completion of specific coursework. Prerequisites for these programs include prior experience in Digital Media 1, Video Production, TV Broadcasting, or Photography.
The facility design, a collaboration with Ford AV, includes a studio with a 20-foot by 10-foot curved LED screen with motion tracking integration. The audio production capabilities feature five mixing studios, a foley recording studio, and an Apple computer lab.
The program emphasizes real-world application, with students working on projects for local companies to develop a professional demo reel. Additionally, the center has partnered with Congressman Blake Moore on the Veteran's History Project, where students interview Utah veterans to archive their experiences in the Library of Congress.
