Fontys ICT opens fully equipped video lab 'Pixel Playground'

Harnessing Potential

Jan Salge and Aljoscha Reuther are the driving forces behind this new setup. The space had previously been dedicated to video and photography, but due to the pandemic, it had to be shut down after the opening of the R10 building. This halt in development left untapped potential, according to Salge, who sees many opportunities in the realms of ICT and media/entertainment: "We come from a background in video production and are teachers in the ICT & Media field. What you observe in that domain is how ICT is playing an increasingly vital role in entertainment, as well as how XR and the metaverse have experienced tremendous growth. You need to be able to respond to that and provide the facilities for your students to do the same."

Virtual Production

The challenge in setting up the video lab is to find future-proof technology with an entry point suitable for its intended educational role. Salge devised a plan for this: "What we aim for is a space that can genuinely produce high-quality productions. Simultaneously, students should be able to experiment with it and learn first-hand about the potential of this technology. With the current choices, we can offer a lot to our students." The LED wall is the centerpiece of this endeavor. It allows for the production of video with a virtual background integrated into a scene. However, think less about the old black-and-white film car chases and more about a series like The Mandalorian, says Salge: "What this means is that you can link the cameras to the wall, causing the background to move along with the camera's motion. This way, you can create lifelike productions in a single location. What we don't have are LED screens on the ceiling, but in principle, you can produce cinema-quality productions here."

Pixel Playground

With this virtual wall, students have a wide range of possibilities. It serves as a testing ground for XR applications and can also aid in their development. The wall itself consists of a vast number of delicate pixels. The installation process was, therefore, a complex, multi-day endeavor for the supplier, Salge explains: "The panels on the wall had to be installed one by one. It's meticulous work, and we quickly discovered just how fragile all those pixels are. We have a lot of equipment that you could describe as user-friendly. It's relatively straightforward to get started with, but it remains specialized and delicate." This was evident during the installation, which was documented in collaboration with students from the Fontys ICT Media Crew, where the first pixel met its demise. This incident immediately inspired the name: Pixel Playground. A name that aligns with the space's purpose: "In the end, you have materials with various possibilities, but you don't want to keep them under lock and key. We want to make this space suitable for play and experimentation with video techniques. Ultimately, it's the creativity of users that will maximize its potential."

Alignment with the Educational Vision

The video lab, or Pixel Playground, seamlessly aligns with Fontys ICT's educational vision. Students are encouraged to develop themselves within a meaningful and practical environment based on their own talents, fostering innovation within it, says Director Frens Vonken: "Our role as an institution is to shape the future ICT work practices. We do this by training creative and inquisitive professionals. An innovative environment like this is crucial to provide students with the space to thrive." Therefore, the integration of the space into education, as well as its development, is being undertaken in collaboration with students. The initial steps have been taken, and we are looking forward to what this will yield in the future.

You can also watch the promo video here, created in collaboration with the Fontys ICT video crew.