Res. Asst. Okan Kırbacı, Equipment Supervisor of the Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema, answered questions from both prospective and current students about the department’s equipment resources and usage conditions.

1. What are the equipment resources of Department of Radio, Television, and Cinema?

We have all the necessary equipment to provide our students with the knowledge and skills we aim to impart. I can sincerely say that our range of equipment is one of the department's strengths. Our inventory includes five cameras, five video cameras (two of which are cinema cameras), nine different types of lighting equipment, two sound recorders, one mobile green screen, and various other supporting equipment.

2. Can students use the equipment whenever they want?

Students can reserve the equipment they wish to use via email. We log the reservations into our equipment schedule, and we provide the requested equipment to our students for up to three days with no location or requirement restrictions.

3. What training do students undergo to become proficient in using the equipment?

Our department offers application-oriented education to meet industry demands. In our practical courses, we aim to impart various technical skills to our students. In the Production Management Studio I-II courses, students learn technical aspects like camera, lighting, sound, and directing; in the Editing Applications course, they learn the logic and practices of editing in cinema and television; in the Sound Techniques course, they learn about sound physically, types of microphones, sound design, recording sound, processing recorded sound on a computer, and foley applications. Students then apply this knowledge in short film projects in the Production Management Studio III-IV-V and Film and Television Creation courses, as well as in some elective courses. Throughout their four years, students in our department are expected to produce around 10 short films, including their graduation project. Filmmaking is a craft learned by doing.

4. Would you recommend prospective students to prepare theoretically and practically for the equipment? If so, how?

We always tell students one thing: all audiovisual content is the result of the technical application of a script, so if your technical knowledge is weak, you won't be able to bring your desired projects to life. 'Curiosity' is key here. We are looking for students who are eager to develop themselves technically with great curiosity and enthusiasm. Students may not always be competent in every aspect of a project, but in such cases, I suggest using their social skills to collaborate with the right and strategically suitable people.

We should always be aware that tools exist to serve our purposes, and we should choose the most practical tools that best serve our goals. I recommend that students be organized, pragmatic, and minimalist when it comes to equipment. Of course, they can always seek our support if they have any questions or face a challenging situation.

We express our gratitutde to Res. Asst. Okan Kırbacı for this interview.