The W fostering creativity with new studio space

Mississippi University for Women’s campus community can now make their mark in the digital age at no cost to themselves thanks to the newly-opened Creator Room at Fant Memorial Library.

The studio was made possible by a generous contribution from Monica Metz ’85, who helped dream up the idea.

“When Monica Metz ‘85 and I brainstormed the Creator Studio into existence, we never dreamed of receiving such an overwhelmingly positive response to it. The excitement about having these tools in the library has been palpable.  Every time I give a tour, someone thinks up an idea for a podcast!” said Amanda Clay Powers, professor and dean of Library Services at The W.

The studio is equipped with state-of-the-art technology such as an Alienware Aurora R16 computer, Dell 27-inch monitor, GVM light panel kit, green screen, sound panels, freestanding and desk mounted microphone stands, Focusrite Scarlett audio kit. Also, there is a Sony Alpha 6000 DLSR camera, which is only available for individual checkout.

When it comes to what can be done in the studio, the website proudly declares, “your imagination is the only limit.”

Some possibilities include: music production, podcasting, augmented reality content, filmmaking, live streaming and 3D modeling.

“The powerful Alienware computer can do print, audio and video content creation and editing.  You can stream from the Creator Studio, or record content for later.  We have the entire Adobe Creative Cloud, plus specialized software like OBS.  The computer is powerful enough to do complex 3D modeling or Virtual Reality content creation.  It is the perfect complement for our makerspace, the Fab Lab, with its new resin printer.  These two spaces, plus our cutting-edge Mims Digitization Lab, let us serve campus in new ways as the university community needs evolve,” Powers said.

W students, faculty and staff can reserve the studio for up to three hours a day, with a maximum of two people allowed in the room at the one time.

According to Powers, they will be doing podcasting workshops to attract students, faculty and staff to the new space.

She added, “We are excited about the possibilities for this new training program.  We are gradually building momentum, and we are looking forward to the content campus will produce.”

To learn more about the Creator Studio and to reserve a time, please visit https://libguides.muw.edu and click on the Creator Studio link.