The University film studio is customised for film production. The film studio can be used for building sets for movies, short films and commercials. The ceiling of the studio is equipped with lighting fixtures and features a black background. Aside the studio there’s a dressing and make up room, and the building next to it features the equipment warehouse, the television studio and the motion capture studio. Together they for a whole complex for production. The studio can also be used for larger official receptions, seminars and training events. It includes a stand with 35 seats. The students access to the studio is managed by the online platform Reshape. (reshape.ulusofona.pt)
The Television studio can be used to make professional multi-camera recordings. Studio is equipped with four HD Sony PMW 350L HD cameras with the Sony HDC 1400U fibber optical camera channel and the Sony HDCU 1500U control panel. Cameras have Fujinon ZA 12x4.5 BERD and Fujinon HA 18x7.6 BERD-S lenses with zoom and focus servo-controls, Sony HDVF C730 LCD monitors, Vinten HD250 and Vinten Heavy Duty tripods. It also features the possibility of adding a fifth camera. Studio lighting is controlled by a Strand Lighting GSX console. The standard lighting kit consist in 8 Softlight 1Kw, 1 Softlight 2Kw, 9 Fresnel 2Kw, 4 Fresnel 2Kw, 2 Spotlight 650w, 3 Par 64, 2 Cyclorama 5Kw. Any lighting from the equipment warehouse can be added. It has black, grey and green backgrounds.
In Control Room Snell & Wilcox Kahuna 1ME/20HD allows working in high definition (1080i/50) and standard television (576i/25). Avid Airspeed allows digital recording and playback in 10bit 4.2.2 Avid DNxHD standard format. For external recording there’s a Sony PDW 1500 recorder. Video monitoring uses a Evertz 3000 DCP Multiview with 4 Sony 42”and 8 21” monitors. Studio Intercom consists of a Trilogy Gemini system. Audio control uses a Evertz 500 ADA/AUD distributer, a Soundcraft Spirit FX16 mixer and Genelec speakers. The equipment warehouse has a large set o microphones available for usage in the studio. The television studio can also be used for larger official receptions, seminars and training events. It includes a stand with 40 seats.
A movie theater ready to sit 125 people. It can screen DCP and has 7.1 sound technology. We have a partnership with Leopardo Filmes for commercial screenings.
A new studio with the Avid S6 mixtable, 23 seats available classes. Students can do post-production of their films in this new brand studio.
The University Film and Arts Department features two sound studios. They are designed for film and television production. As a complement to the studios there is an audio lab designed for classes.
This studio is designed for sound design in 5.1 Surround. It features 5 Genelec M040 speakers and a Genelec Subwoofer 7260 APM. The Apple MacPro workstation uses the Avid Protools HDX system with Avid Artist Control and Avid Artist Mix controllers. Hardware is an Avid HD I/O. The Waves Mercury Native Plug-in collection is also installed. The room has an Epson X21 video projector. The studio is plugged in two an Avid Isis Network system providing shared workspaces with the post-production centre.
This is a smaller studio, designed for recording and dubbing. It also allows for mixing in stereo. It’s equipped with an Apple MacPro workstation and with an Avid Protools HDX controlled by an Avid Artist Control and an Avid Artist Mix. Hardware is Avid HD I/O. The Waves Mercury Native Plug-in collection is also installed.
This lab is designed for classes. It’s equipped with 13 PC workstations and features Avid Protools and Max software’s. The workstation is complemented by M-Audio interfaces and M-Audio Keyboards. It features a video projector Epson X11 and audio speakers. Editing and Post Centre. The editing and post centre has 7 editing and post rooms, a colour grading suite and a lab designed for classes. This centre features an Avid ISIS 7500 with 128TB network system to provide a networked work environment. All workstations are connected to the network system, the editing and post rooms, as well as the colour grading suite, features a 10GB connection, the Lab has a 1GB connection. Editing and Post Rooms. The editing and post rooms are equipped with an Apple MacPro workstation and audio speakers. The workstation is running Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Studio, Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, Blackmagic Fusion, Discreet Smoke and Open DCP software’s.
The colour grading suite features an Apple MacPro and a Blackmagic Mini Monitor connected to a Sony Oled Trimaster EL monitor. The software running is Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve. Editing and Post Lab. The post lab is divided into two separate rooms, each with 10 workstations. One of the rooms features Apple IMac and the other Apple MacPro. The space is designed for classes and features two video projectors Epson X21 and audio speakers. The list of software’s is Avid Media Composer, Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Studio, Avid Protools, Blacmagic DaVinci Resolve and Open DCP.
BFM Film Studio (160 m2; 13.5x11.85x6.5 m) is customised specifically for film production. With a workshop, camera, sound and lighting equipment storerooms as well as make-up, dressing and group rooms, the film studio complex is able to offer a complete service. The film studio can be used for building sets for movies, short films and commercials. The room is also being used as a large TV studio (cabling for 8 cameras). The ceiling of the film studio is equipped with motorised lighting fixtures and there is also cabling for dimmers and DMX control. It is possible to use a black (360 degree), white and green background. The film studio’s lighting equipment, rails and the Panther Pick Up dolly are stored in a secure equipment storeroom. The film studio can also be used for larger official receptions, seminars and training events. It is also possible to use 130 folding chairs and movable tables.
Television studio (106.4 m2, 11.2x9.5x6.5 m) can be used to make professional multi-camera recordings.
Studio is equipped with four 2/3-inch sensor high definition cameras (3x Panasonic AG-HPX600E and 1x Panasonic AJ-PX800GH) with the Volamp Camlinx II fiber optical camera channel and RCP-2050A Control Panel. Cameras have Fujinon ZA12X4.5BRD or ZA17X7.6BRD-S lenses with zoom and focus servo-controls, Swit S-1071HF monitors and Libec studio tripods.
In addition to the studio functionality these cameras can also be used as ENG cameras with 2x 64GB Micro P2 card recording capability in professional 10bit 4:2:2 AVC-Intra 100 Mbps format.
The number of cameras can be upgraded to total 8 using additional Panasonic AJ-PX270 HD-cameras.
In addition three 2/3-inch sensor standard definition Philips LDK100 Triax based cameras (support from Finland’s public broadcasting company YLE) are used for basic training in studio.
Studio lighting is controlled by Avolites Pearl Tiger console. There are 36 channels of 10A dimmers (3x SRS Light Design DDP1210B-8). Standard lighting consists of 40 fixtures: 18x pole operated Ianiro Solaris Fresnels (6x 2kW, 12x 1kW), 6x 2kW Altman Open Face Soft-Lite, 4x Balcar Quadlite 200, 4x Balcar Duolite 100, 2x 1kW Fresnels, 4x 500W Fresnels. For special needs additional lighting from school’s lighting storage can be added.
The studio is equipped with motorized lighting trusses with cabling for dimmers and DMX control. There is a possibility to use black, white and green background curtains.
In Control Room Ross Video Carbonite 2 16-input 2 M/E Live Production Switcher with XPression Prime graphics allow working in high definition (720p/50, 1080i/50, 3G 1080p/50), standard definition 576i/50 and has also the possibility to work with four 4K UHD sources. Newtek Tricaster Broadcast provides portable live streaming capabilities.
HD-SDI signal routing is performed by 40x40 Blackmagic Design Compact Videohub with Master Control and Smart Control panels. Two BlackMagic Design Hyperdeck Studio Pro SSD recorders provide 10bit 4:2:2 recording and playback in industry standard formats Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Avid DNxHD, Uncompressed QuickTime. Recorders have support for 4K UHD and 6G-SDI. Thunderbolt connestion to iMac workstation provide fast access to the central media storage system.
Video monitoring uses two Sony FWDS46H2 multiviewer screens and several 21,5-inch Swit S-1221HS monitors. Signal quality control is maintained using Blackmagic Design SmartScope Duo 4K and near Grade 1 quality 17-inch JVC DT-V17G15 monitor.
Studio intercom system consists of Riedel Performer C44plus System and wireless Clearcom FreeSpeak system. Sound Control Room has Avid S3L System 16 Controller running the Venue software with AAX plugins. It can operate together with the Avid ProTools system providing 64-channel I/O over AVB protocol. Genelec 8030 monitors and 7050 subwoofer provide calibrated stereo monitoring. Various microphones are available for studio and location needs.
Panther Pick Up dolly and rails are stored in a secure equipment storeroom and accessible for studio use. The television studio can also be used for larger official receptions, seminars and training events. It is possible to use 130 folding chairs and movable tables.
The Postproduction Centre has eight editing rooms with Apple MacPro and 27" iMac 5K Retina workstations running Final Cut Pro X, Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro software. To guarantee standardised audio monitoring, the sound studios and editing rooms all use Genelec 8030 active speakers. All workstations are connected to a shared network.
The BFM study complex has two sound studios and two sound editing rooms that offer a complete solution, from multi-track recordings and audio editing up to Dolby Surround 7.1 mastering. The sound studio complex was designed taking into account film and TV production audio requirements as well as music production needs.
The sound studios have a trunk cable connection with the film and TV studios on the first floor of the building and also with the Tallinn University ceremonial hall, which gives the option for catering to large scale recordings and live events. It is also possible to use the sound studios for practical workshops.
The first sound studio (54 m2; 212.5 m3; 8.65x6.3x3.9 m) uses Dolby Surround 7.1 compliant monitoring equipment, THX certified Procella Audio monitors (primary monitors P815-FP, subwoofer P18, surround monitors P8), Lab.gruppen amplifiers (C28:4 and C20:8X) and a Biamp Nexia SP processor. The monitoring solution was developed by Anders Uggelberg from Procella Audio in Sweden. The final studio calibration was performed by Mark Kenna from Film Sound Consultant in England.
The Apple MacPro workstation uses the Avid ProTools HDX system with Icon D-Command controller (a total of 40 faders and Surround Panner option) and Avid HD I/O 16x16, two Avid PREs and Avid SYNC HD. It is possible to interconnect with second sound studio equipment (total I/O 32x32 and 32 Avid PRE inputs). The Waves Mercury Native plug-in collection is also installed. The equipment room has a Sony VPLFH30 WUXGA (1920x1200 pixel) video projector.
The second sound studio (19.5 m2; 50.7 m3; 3.9x5.0x2.6 m) and the two sound editing rooms use Avid ProTools HD Native Thunderbolt HD OMNI system with 5.1 Genelec (8030 and 7050) monitoring and Avid Artist Mix and Artist Control surfaces. Second studio has in addition Avid HD I/O 16x16 and two Avid PREs that can be shared with first sound studio.
The studio uses the expansive Sound Ideas sound effects and background audio collection, and there is also the possibility to record Foley sound effects.
BFM students have also access to two state of the art colour grading rooms located on the third floor in the Estonian Digital Center premises. Digital Vision Nucoda and Blackmagic Design Davinci Resolve systems are used with grading panels and calibrated projection system.
In co-operation with Estonian Digital Centre it is also possible to create 2D/3D DCPs (DVS Clipster), do Arri, Red transcoding, and digitise 16/35 mm film (P+S Technik Steadyframe film scanner)
The 16 seat computer lab uses 21.5” Apple iMac computers (2.7 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5, 8GB SDRAM). The classroom also has audio monitors, a video projector and a screen, which allows lecturers to present content from their screen to the whole class. All computers are connected to a SAN (Storage Area Network) network drive that enables simultaneous editing of material in the classroom and in the editing rooms and sound studios. Apple Remote Desktop allows remote management of all the computers in the classroom. The computer class meets Apple Authorised Training Centre Education requirements and is also used for various Apple training courses.
The 105 seat “SuperNova” cinema hall is equipped with the modern projection and sound equipment. The cinema hall uses Estonia’s first digital cinema projector with 4K resolution.
The Sony SRX-R515 projector is the first in Estonia capable of projecting a 4K resolution image (4096x2160 pixels) onto the screen. The projector can play back 2K and 4K resolution movies from a DCI compliant DCP copy through the integrated SONY XCT-S10 server. The HDMI input of the projector also accepts images from an Apple iMac computer and Sony BDP-S790 Blu-ray player. The use of other formats (HDCAM, Digibeta, Betacam SP, DVCAM, MiniDV, etc.) must be agreed upon in advance.
In addition to the 4K projector, the cinema hall also uses a Sony VPLFH35 WUXGA (1920x1200 pixel) video projector that can be used for lectures and presentations.
The cinema hall uses THX certified Procella Audio monitors (P815-FP, P18, P8), Lab.gruppen amplifiers (C28:4, C20:8X), and Biamp Nexia SP and Dolby CP750 processors for Dolby Surround 7.1 surround sound.
The cinema hall can also be used as auditorium and conference hall. It is possible to use radio microphones and other sound equipment. Events in the hall can be recorded with a multi-camera system and live-streamed over the internet.
The “SuperNova” cinema hall is the venue for the student film festival “Sleepwalkers” and hosts, on a regular basis, movie premieres and meeting nights with authors. The cinema has also launched weekly cinema sessions that offer a top rate movie going experience.
The acoustic design of the cinema hall was made by Akukon Oy. The final adjustments to the sound equipment were made by Anders Uggelberg from Procella Audio from Sweden. The Sony 4K digital projector was set up by Miterassa OÜ and Dietrich Dumke from the Sony Europe office. The cinema hall’s equipment was delivered and installed by OÜ Digital Emotions. The cinema hall was officially opened on 14 April 2013.
As well as housing the Film Academy Administration Office and Technical stores, the Production Centre based in Merchiston Avenue provides full Production and Post-Production facilities and accommodates the busy schedules of both our post-graduate and undergraduate students. A range of short courses, public screenings and Continuing Professional Development workshops and events also take place at the Production Centre making it a busy hub catering for industry professionals and the film going public as well as student filmmakers across both institutions.
These spaces are also used for workshops and are full fitted out with facilities for the projection of DVD, Mini DV, VHS, and streaming from the internet through PC. There are also links in both studios to the Machine Room with an HD converter Box for HD projection.
4x Pro Tools Suites
Used for sound editing, these suites are equipped with Pro Tools HD10 software, Digidesign MBox 2 Interface, industry standard speakers, broadcast monitor and access to a range of plug-ins.
Used for the final sound mix, this suite is equipped with Pro Tools HD10 software, Digidesign 96 I/O Interface, Digidesign Sync I/O, Digidesign Control 24 mixing console, 5.1 surround sound monitoring, Focusrite pre-amplifiers and a wide array of plug-ins (including Audio Ease Altiverb; Avid TL Space; Izotope RX, Insight and Alloy; as well as a range of others).
Comprising of a Neumann TLM103 microphone (although other microphones are available upon request), headphone amplifier and monitor, this fully soundproofed room allows the recording of voiceover, ADR or narration to picture. Linked directly to our Machine Room, the Voiceover Booth can be patched to any Pro Tools suite and the performance recorded directly into Pro Tools software ready for editing.
Similarly, comprising of an AKG C414B microphone (although other microphones are available upon request), headphone amplifier and monitor, this fully soundproofed room allows the recording of any effects (e.g. footsteps, clothing or other spot effects) that need to be added to a film’s soundtrack. Linked directly to our Machine Room, the Foley Booth can be patched to any Pro Tools suite and the performance recorded directly into Pro Tools software ready for editing.
For the sourcing of sound effects difficult to recreate, or for a quicker workflow, we have a comprehensive, centralised sound library offering a wide variety of sound effects and atmospheres that can be added to any Pro Tools session.
Up to date camera equipment and lighting available from digital SLR cameras to 16mm:
The Screening Room provides a vital teaching, learning and research facility. It provides a valuable venue for our students to experience the art and technology of cinema, as it was meant to be experienced and also gives us the opportunity to see and share our own work on the big screen in a professional cinema environment.
The TV Studio is a versatile blank space, for that reason it houses the majority of our practical teaching. It also provides a facility that is used by students to build small-scale sets or as an equipment prep area.
The Post-Production studio is a dedicated offline editing and delivery output facility that fosters a cross-year, peer to peer learning environment.
There are 4 self contained Post Production Suites provide rooms for tutorials and discussion of individual projects. They also provide an environment for students to work on their films independently and yet with on hand teaching, technical and peer support.
We have a Da Vinci Resolve mastering and grading suite capable of grading HD, 2k and 4k material in real time. We support EDL, AAF and XML workflows on projects. On site technicians support students on best practices for onlining and prepping the grade and master.
When not being used for grading this suite can also be used as a 5th Post Production Suite as described above.
We aim to provide a wide variety of location equipment in order to cater for the wide gamut of the undergraduate and postgraduate students’ projects and skills abilities. This ranges from traditional Drama methodological approaches to self-shooting documentaries and technologically unbiased experimental projects.
The film/TV studio is approx. 200 square metres, with a clear shooting height of six metres and a motorised lighting grid. It is fully connected to the Production Gallery via eight wall boxes. It is also equipped with black, white (ecru) and green cyclorama curtains as well as having access to water and drainage.
The green screen studio is approx. 45 square metres with a clear shooting height of four metres. It is connected to the Production Gallery via two wall boxes or can be operated separately using a mobile production unit. It has 75% surround chromakey walls and a black cyclorama curtain.