Update Spring 2026: The Media Commons SCIM Lab is back, with open availability every Monday (limited availability on other days via mediated request). Consultation requests can be made via the link below.
About the SCIM Lab
The Spatial Computing and Immersive Media Lab (SCIM) located in the basement of Grainger Engineering Library – Idea Lab, primarly focuses on emerging and innovative technical applications in media creation. It is available to all Faculty, Staff, and Students of the University of Illinois, by mediated appointment.
- A high-powered PC Workstation
- Intel i9 10980XE
- 64 GB RAM
- Nvidia A6000 48GB GPU
- 10 Gbe network access
- XR Headsets
- Four (4) Microsoft Azure Kinect depth cameras
- Insta360 Pro 2 8K 360 Camera
- Virtual Video Production
- Two (2) Blackmagic Studio 4K Cameras that will shoot either 1080p or 2160p in various quality levels of Prores or DNxHD. These cameras are equipped with Metabones Speedboosters and Nikon G-mount lenses. The effective focal length and f-stops are:
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- Nikon 35-105mm 1.8
- Nikon 130mm 1.1
- Sigma 160mm macro 1.8
- Sigma 15-30mm ultra-wide 2.2
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- Blackmagic Decklink 8K Capture Card
- Blackmagic ATEM Switcher
- Allows for live-mixing, coloring, and media playback to fully produce a video without requiring post-production for recording or livestream
- Provides both upstream and downstream keying abilities for title overlays, lower thirds, and/or background inserts
- Two (2) Blackmagic Hyperdeck 4K SSD recorders
- A green wall (for chroma keying)
- Studio Lighting
- Seven (7) daylight balanced studio fluorescent light fixtures mounted to a truss system
- Two (2) free-standing white-balance adjustable LED panels
- Two (2) Blackmagic Studio 4K Cameras that will shoot either 1080p or 2160p in various quality levels of Prores or DNxHD. These cameras are equipped with Metabones Speedboosters and Nikon G-mount lenses. The effective focal length and f-stops are:
- Audio Recording Equipment
- MOTU 1248 Audio Interface
- Allows for individual recording of up to 12 microphones (embedded in camera feed or direct to DAW software) at up to 96kHz 24-bit
- Digital mixer with DSP (EQ, compression, reverb) for live stereo mix-down to ATEM Switcher
- MOTU 8M Audio Interface
- 8 Mic Preamps
- Focusrite OctoPre MkII Dynamic
- 8 microphone preamps
- 8 channels compression
- Four (4) Sennheiser G3 Wireless Lavalier Microphones
- One (1) Audio Technica BP4071 Shotgun Microphone
- Two (2) sE SE5 Small Diaphragm Condenser “Room Microphones”
- MOTU 1248 Audio Interface
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Da Vinci Resolve Studio 18
- Handbrake
- OBS
- Reaper
- Rokoko Studio w/ Face Capture
- Unity
- Unreal Engine
- Hybrid Meeting Software
SCIM Lab Policies and Procedures
Responsibilities of Media Commons Staff
- The lab will be initially prepared in a clean and efficient manner for ease of use and instruction.
- Based on patron needs, a Media Commons staff member will provide instruction on basic equipment usage.
- The staff member can assist with safely moving the data captured from the SCIM Lab.
- Note: The Media Commons does not currently provide editing services. Instruction on the basics of editing can be requested as a separate consultation appointment.
Responsibilities of the Patron using the SCIM Lab
- Patrons will need to bring their I-Card to verify booking
- Patrons will be responsible for bringing a storage device (preferably USB 3.0 or faster) to save the data once the video shoot is completed or have appropriate cloud storage access. Generally, we will keep a copy of the files on our SCIM Lab machine for at least one week; however, DO NOT RELY ON THE MEDIA COMMONS FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE OF FILES.
- Patrons should come prepared to record and will have rehearsed their script.
- Patrons are responsible for any props needed.
- Patrons are asked to be respectful for the care and treatment of all SCIM Lab equipment
- Due to limited space and potential interference with the recording, only patrons directly involved with the reservation will be allowed into the Lab.
Human Subject Research
As an institution, UIUC must ensure the protection of human subjects in research by maintaining policies and procedures compliant with federal regulations and other applicable laws.
OPRS (The Office for Protection of Research Subjects) is committed to providing investigators with the tools and resources that they need to safely and successfully achieve their research goals. Visit their webpage for information regarding any research you may be conducting which involves human subjects: https://oprs.research.illinois.edu
All the pertinent forms and form templates can be found on this page: https://oprs.research.illinois.edu/guidelines-and-resources/forms
If you are a study participant yourself, please familiarize yourself with your rights here: https://oprs.research.illinois.edu/participate-research/information-research-participants
Talent Release Forms
Per the University of Illinois Public Affairs website, “If you are planning to use an individual’s image or likeness in media such as photographs, video, etc., you should request written permission to do so. Releases should also be completed and signed by any talent working with companies or individuals shooting photography, video or audiotape on University premises. Use the forms below accordingly.”
For more information and direct links to Talent Release Forms click here