The basement of the Student Union has an immersive lighting lab that students can use to learn about different techniques and equipment for performances, video projects, and photography.
Communication professor, Jeff Gress, came back from sabbatical in August and was greeted with several old entertainment technology that had been removed from the demolished Loy Gymnasium. This equipment, some from as far back as the 1960’s and 1970’s, includes amplifiers, sound counsels, television monitors, and much more.
Gress transformed the space, which used to be storage for the theater, into a lighting lab where students could experiment with angles, intensity, and color. This was in preparation for a lighting course that was offered this fall semester.
However, the lab quickly became more than that. With the old equipment from Loy, as well as contributions from the electronic media and film department, and the conservatory, the space now has several capabilities. It can serve as a performance venue, a video studio, and a photography space. Gress hopes to also get a green screen.
“When I was first working in this space I just kept saying ‘what if,’” Gress said. “What if we could get a space students could be excited about and have collaborated conversations.”
With the opportunity to play with light, sound, and video, students are welcome to come get hands on experience and work on any idea they may have. Gress stressed that this is not a faculty directed space.
“If a student comes to me with a project, I will make sure they have the space and resources they need, no matter how crazy the idea may seem,” Gress said.
Kevin Siebert, a senior music technology major, spends a great deal of time in the lab. He said that getting to play with different equipment in the space helps him learn a lot.
“We sometimes learn things so briefly in the classroom,” he said. “In here, we have a chance to take things further.”
Gress hopes that the lab will promote convergence between different departments. He said he wants to reach out to the computer science, math, and marketing departments to offer different opportunities to learn. He also said he would like for the sports teams to come into the space for photo shoots and for the debate team to utilize the space to practice.
The current lighting course sets an example for the collaborations that can be done in the lab. The students represent majors including electronic media and film, theater, music technology, and music performance.
“It allows me to interact with students from other majors and see their mindset,” Siebert said.
Gress is proud of the space. Not only because of what it offers students, but also for what it provides him.
