An industry partnership between the University of Chichester and Creative Technology Ltd has led to the installation of a supersized LED screen at the teaching institution, giving students hands-on access to tech used across the film, gaming and live events industries.
The University has been loaned an 8m x 3.5m LED wall, made up of modular panels, by Creative Technology Ltd. The equipment, previously used at large-scale live events, provides students with real-world experience of equipment they are likely to encounter in professional environments.
The Crawley–based company recruits a number of graduates from Chichester each year, and installed the screen onto campus. Michael Holley, Head of the School of Creative and Cultural Industries, said: “We’ve already been teaching with it, and the scale is really special. It fits perfectly with our unique facilities and enhances our commitment to developing students’ technical skills, especially around Virtual Production.
“This is exactly the kind of technology our students will come across if they go on to work at the highest levels of the industry. It’s not just used in film and games, but also in marketing, live presentations and events.”
Large LED screens like this have increasingly been used across film and television since around 2019, particularly for virtual production. This approach became especially prominent during the Covid pandemic, with productions such as The Mandalorian using LED walls for immersive digital backdrops instead of filming on location. The technology also offers environmental benefits by reducing the need for travel.
The screen is also widely used in the games industry, where it can act as an interactive backdrop, blurring the lines between film, gaming and live production.
At the University, students are already using the LED wall for a wide range of creative applications. These include filming short dramas, screen acting projects and sports media content, as well as learning how to integrate digital backdrops into live-action scenes. The screen can also be used for esports events, displaying branding, commentary and live scores, and has featured as a moving backdrop during open days.
Tom Burford, Director of Technical Delivery at Creative Technology Ltd, said: “Creative Technology has had a long-standing relationship with the University of Chichester, and it’s always a pleasure to collaborate with them.
“Providing the University with an Absen LED wall is a continuation of that partnership and our shared commitment to supporting the next generation of live events engineers and creatives. I can’t wait to see what they create with such a powerful piece of technology.”
For more information about film, media and esports courses at the University of Chichester, please visit: https://www.chi.ac.uk/creative-industries/.