Bringing Industry-Standard Live Production to University Classrooms: The ECU and Riedel Partnership

In an exciting development for aspiring media professionals, Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, has adopted a comprehensive communications infrastructure from Riedel Communications. This initiative, announced by Riedel Communications, aims to immerse students in professional live production workflows directly within their academic setting, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry practice.

The integration of this advanced technology offers students a unique opportunity to work with the same tools and systems used in top-tier broadcast, sports, and entertainment productions globally. For students, parents, and educators, this means a significant enhancement in practical learning, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the demands of a dynamic and competitive industry.

A Seamless Ecosystem for Learning and Production

According to Riedel Communications, the new infrastructure connects various university spaces, from broadcast facilities to the theater, creating an integrated ecosystem where communications, audio, video, and recordings are flexibly accessible throughout the building. This interconnectedness is crucial for simulating the complex environments of professional live production.

At the core of this system are two Riedel Artist-1024 nodes, primarily utilized at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) – a specialized academy within ECU – and in the broadcast department. These nodes facilitate robust communication across various teams. Furthermore, stage managers and directors can leverage Riedel Bolero wireless intercom systems, allowing them to move freely between different event areas while maintaining uninterrupted communication with their production teams. This mobility is a hallmark of professional live events, giving students an authentic experience.

Ensuring the reliable distribution of audio and video, MediorNet serves as the technical backbone. The ECU team employs five MicroN UHD units and an additional mobile unit for signal transmission within the building and for supporting outside broadcast scenarios when a fiber-optic connection is available. MediorNet HorizoN further integrates traditional SDI and MediorNet infrastructures with ST 2110 workflows within the broadcast environment, enabling the independent execution of two parallel broadcasts. This sophisticated setup means that live productions from the theater auditorium can be fully integrated into the broadcast environment, including backstage communication, video, and audio transmission.

Practical Feedback and Experiential Learning

One of the most impactful components of this new ecosystem is Riedel SimplyLive RiCapture. ECU operates three RiCapture servers, including two larger systems for 4K workflows and a dedicated system specifically for teaching purposes. With SimplyLive, students and instructors can record up to six video streams simultaneously, along with all associated production communications.

This recording capability is transformative for learning. During training sessions, students can replay recorded feeds and communications to meticulously review production workflows, retrace decisions, and identify precisely where and why issues occurred. According to Riedel Communications, this provides students with immediate, practical feedback on their work within a professional live production environment. Instructors can also record teaching sessions and make them available to students afterward as part of the course materials, enhancing accessibility and review opportunities.

Richard Reddrop, Associate Professor of Associate Dean (Production and Design) at WAAPA, highlighted the significance of this partnership. He stated, according to Riedel Communications, that the collaboration has “significantly transformed communications and coordination across our venues,” enabling various teams to work together through a single integrated platform. He emphasized that, importantly, it “provides our students with the experience of industry-standard workflows and technologies that reflect contemporary professional practice.”

Preparing Students for the Future of Media

Chris Johnson, Director Oceania at Riedel Communications, echoed this sentiment, stating that the combination of Artist, Bolero, MediorNet, and SimplyLive creates a learning environment at ECU that is adaptable to students' needs and various production formats. He noted that this setup gives students the “opportunity to experiment and work in a practical environment that mirrors real-world production workflows.”

For students considering a career in media production, such hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology is invaluable. It moves beyond theoretical knowledge, allowing them to develop problem-solving skills and gain confidence in a high-pressure, collaborative environment. This kind of experiential learning is crucial for career readiness in today's fast-evolving technological landscape.

As students navigate complex academic and career paths, resources that support their learning journey are more important than ever. Platforms like COSMIQ offer free voice-driven AI tutoring, providing K-12 students with accessible support across a wide range of subjects, helping them build foundational knowledge that can lead to advanced studies in fields like media production.

The partnership between ECU and Riedel Communications stands as a testament to the power of integrating advanced industry tools into educational programs. By providing students with direct access to professional-grade technology and workflows, ECU is equipping the next generation of media professionals with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the exciting world of live production.