Television Studio Camera Replacement submitted by WFSU-TV

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: WFSU Television proposes a project to replace its three standard definition studio cameras with new high definition camera systems. As the public television station serving Tallahassee and Panama City, WFSU-TV has operated for more than 50 years and provided quality local programs along with its PBS schedule. The addition of 4fsu, Comcast Cable channel 4, in the late 1990s created a new outlet for programming specifically geared to the Florida State University community as well as a wide range of learning/work opportunities for FSU students either as part of a class, as volunteers, or as paid OPS employees. WFSU-TV has an ongoing equipment replacement/upgrade plan. We were in the final stages of refurbishing our studios with the latest high definition television equipment when the federal grants program we used for major purchases was discontinued. Award of technology fee funding to WFSU-TV would allow the station to replace old equipment that is well past its effective service life, give students the opportunity to work with top-of-the-line equipment and facilities, and significantly improve its local/University programming production. WFSU-TV already has much of the equipment required for production of high definition television; cameras are the last big piece of the puzzle. We propose to match the requested award, $200,000, with funds we had been setting aside prior to the federal grant discontinuance. Because we were already well along in our replacement plan we have completed a fair amount of research into costs, and would be able to generate a competitive solicitation shortly after the award. Our research indicates that the cost of three HD camera systems is ranging from $330,000 - $520,000. We believe we can procure high-quality cameras and lenses for around $400,000.

IMPACT: Hundreds of students have passed through WFSU-TV and learned television production from the staff. During any semester 10-15 students will be working in production in a number of different capacities from producer to director to camera operator, etc. Every student who works in production will operate a studio camera at one time or another, so every student who works here will come in direct contact with the equipment we wish to procure. Some of the students are paid, several are volunteers, and members of the staff teach still other students as adjuncts to the College of Communication and Information. Much of the 4fsu programming is produced entirely by students. Award-winning productions, some of which have aired nationally, often include students in a majority of the crew positions. We are continuously exploring ways to expand the opportunities for students to work on productions in our studios. SEMINOLE NIGHT LIFE, an entirely student-produced program, is a new offering that is being produced every semester. Acquisition of this equipment completes our plan to convert local production to high definition and will greatly enhance our ability to produce high-quality television programs for WFSU-TV, 4fsu, and a variety of other video projects for the University. We will continue and expand our capability to give students hands-on experience in high-definition television production.

PROJECT PLAN: We have been researching studio camera systems for some time. With approval, we forecast 60-90 days to procure and install the equipment, with implementation immediately after checking out the systems. Phase one of the project, procurement, is complete when equipment is received and installed. After that, we anticipate successful use of the system for the effective life of the equipment. WFSU-TV has maximized the service life of its two immediately previous camera system buys; when the station moved to new facilities in 1983 new cameras were procured that were in service until 1995. The cameras being used now were bought in 1995-96; we are averaging well over 10 years’ service life for these systems and in fact these cameras are no longer supported by the manufacturer.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES/POTENTIAL FOR ENHANCEMENT: WFSU-TV and 4fsu are support activities of the University: educating, informing, and entertaining the community through the power and reach of television. We produce a wide range of programming that covers various University events and activities, supports University colleges and departments, and provides hands-on television production experience to students. With implementation of this project, WFSU-TV will be able to replace equipment that is critical to continuing and enhancing these productions.

ONGOING SUPPORT PLAN: Utilization of this equipment will be incorporated into our regular production operations. Any additional costs for ongoing support will be covered as part of the station’s regular engineering and maintenance plans. This equipment enables WFSU-TV to produce University-related programming using state-of-the-art cameras, a significant improvement over our present capabilities. In addition, students and student volunteers who work at the station will learn to use equipment they are likely to encounter in television operations throughout the country.

PROJECT TEAM: Patrick Keating, Director, WFSU Doug Crall, Director of Engineering, WFSU Mike Dunn, Director of Production, WFSU-TV Leo Barfield, Engineer, WFSU-TV