Studio quality: Collins College's 14th Street Studio gives students a taste of the real world.(Knowledge & Career)

Except for the classrooms, there are few differences between 14th Street Studio and a professional film studio. 14th Street Studio houses Collins College's School of Film, Video, and Visual Effects, and two professional soundstages--one 2400 square feet, the other 2200 square feet--with dedicated control and sound booths, lighting grids, and large greenscreens.

There is also a 2000-square-foot, 150-seat theater offering surround sound and theater speakers, a custom-built theater screen, and a Panasonic full-HD DLP system projector with 10,000 lumens and 1920x1080 pixel capability.

"Since 14th Street Studio opened in October 2008, we have been able to provide our students with more hands-on learning opportunities," says Duncan Harvey, department chair for Collins College's media arts department. "Students have access to professional cameras, lighting equipment, and computer software. Our commercial-grade studios provide students with a unique, real-world education."

14th Street Studio's fully loaded equipment room features props, miniature models, lights, cords, cameras (including two Arri Super 16mm, Sony CineAlta, and Panasonic VariCam offerings, as well as HDV camcorders), and a host of equipment to shoot scenes both on and off campus.

Harvey points out that Collins' visual effects courses incorporate Hollywood-level software and, more important, instructors who have worked professionally in the film, video, and visual effects industry. "Many of our instructors have worked on movies, television, music videos, and documentaries, and have had the opportunity to work with frontline talent," he says.

The school's graphics, visual effects, and editing suites feature Autodesk's Combustion, Smoke, and Flame, as well as Adobe's After Effects, Avid's Media Composer, and Apple's Final Cut Pro. As for infrastructure, 14th Street Studio has wireless, fiber optics, and soundproofing throughout the building.

The studio, gear, and faculty help draw film, video, and visual effects students from across the country. Another appeal is Collins' hands-on, job-centered approach to education. Graduates with a bachelor's degree in film and video production should be able to qualify for entry-level positions, including motion camera operator, television production assistant, video editor, visual effects artist, or TV, film, or video producer. The school also offers an associate's degree in digital video production.