From iPhone to the AC90 Camera, journalism students are back to using industry equipment on campus

After two years of taking classes online, journalism students are in full swing, diving deep into their coursework using equipment such as the AC90 camera, tripods, lighting equipment, and zoom recorders. 

Caelan Monkman is a third-year journalism student taking two courses which allow him to use equipment, JRN 318: Podcasting and Radio Basics and JRN314: TV Workshop.

For Monkman, the biggest challenge for him was using the AC90 camera.

"I like photography, and so I'm used to taking photos on a DSLR. But it's a very different beast using a big video camera," says Monkman.

With using the camera, Monkman says that he had to get used to the controls and buttons on the AC90. Still, despite those challenges, he says he's more excited than nervous about using the equipment so far. 

"I think I was just really happy to finally get to actually use equipment that my tuition has been paying for," says Monkman.

Arpita Quadir, a third-year journalism student, is taking JRN 310: Video Production Techniques. 

Quadir says that she is confident in using the equipment since she used them in high school. However, she still has trouble using everything at an advanced level. 

"I think the biggest challenge is not knowing how to use the settings available on the equipment to their full extent. We have access to some incredible equipment, and it would be nice to know how to use it at a more advanced level," says Quadir.

One thing Quadir does to get used to using the equipment is by self-teaching and experimenting with the camera equipment.

Currently working on assignments for her journalism classes., Quadir says she would want more tutorials in class to help her get acquainted with all the different equipment.

“There are lots of videos on InSession and not all of them have directions that are specific to the project being assigned in class,” says Quadir.

 Monkman says he rates his confidence at a seven out of ten only because he needs some extra time to fully gain confidence in using the equipment. 

"I think I have enough experience to do everything and use all the equipment, but I don't have enough experience yet to kind of do it in a way that feels like a second nature," says Monkman.

Overall for Monkman, it's all about the excitement and enjoyment that he's had with using the equipment.

 "As much as it's been somewhat stressful, and it's been a bit of a learning curve, for sure. It's been so much fun," says Monkman.

For first-year and future journalism students, Monkman says that you should take advantage of all the resources available to you for your courses and get as much experience as possible.

"I think there's something very kind of confidence-inspiring about knowing that the equipment that you're using is like professional equipment, and it makes you feel like a journalist, not just a student journalist. And your tuition is paying for all this great equipment," says Monkman.

Quadir says she’s adjusting to using the equipment that wasn’t available during online classes. She also says she’d prefer if there was the opportunity to alternate between phones and equipment. 

“Personally, I am enjoying using all the new equipment that we didn’t get a chance to online but that being said, it is an adjustment. It is more convenient to use our phones for projects especially when we are required to be in location with lots of heavy equipment,” says Quadir.

“Be open to trying new things”

Winston Sih is teaching JRN 314 this semester. He says there is a learning curve for everyone transitioning from Zoom meetings and phones to full-on equipment. Still, he says he is pleased with students' performance.

"For someone who hasn't really had exposure to this equipment, there's still, you know, a learning curve to get that workflow under their belt and understand that workflow properly. And I think the students have really stepped up to that challenge. They've done really well with it. And yeah, I think, I've been really happy with the results and the outcome of how things unfolded," says Sih.

Sih says he encourages students to get used to equipment like the AC90 camera since it helps student journalists get ahead in their careers. 

"To be able to master that while you're at school will only put you in a place when you go out in the industry, you'll already know how to do very common things like white balance, audio level, audio balance, you know, framing, composition, lighting, all of these things are so important in the industry," says Sih.

Sih also says students don't get to maneuver those same settings on an iPhone. 

For his students who are about to finish up JRN 314 in a few weeks, Sih says he hopes they continue practicing and carrying on their enthusiasm in their work. Currently, Sih notes differences in the work his students submitted at the beginning of the semester compared to the middle of the semester.

"I've seen a huge improvement from the first editing assignment. I gave them the videos that they're editing for me now. And I already know it's going to be so different when they're at the end of the semester," says Sih.

His message to his third-year students for the winter semester is to be open to trying new things. 

"Come in with an open mind knowing that you will do a bit of everything, and be prepared to find things that you'll love to do, and you'll also discover new things as well. I think that's the beauty of this course is you get to cycle through all these different roles, be put in different boxes," says Sih.