> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://scaproduction.depaul.edu/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://scaproduction.depaul.edu/equipment-and-facilities/equipment-certifications.md).
# Equipment Certifications
## Equipment Certifications
### Check Certification Requirements Before Reserving Equipment
Some SCA equipment requires certification before it can be reserved or checked out.
Certification confirms that a student has demonstrated safe and competent operation of the equipment.
**Important:** Enrolling in a qualifying course makes you eligible for evaluation. Enrollment alone does not grant certification or guarantee access to every item in an equipment category.
Certification requirements are maintained by the equipment managers for the Camera Vault, The Shack, and The Cage.
Do not reserve equipment that requires certification until the certification has been added to your WebCheckout account.
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### How Certification Works
1. Enroll in a qualifying SCA course.
2. Demonstrate safe and competent use of the equipment to the course instructor.
3. The instructor submits certification approval to the appropriate equipment coordinator.
4. The equipment coordinator adds the certification to your WebCheckout account.
5. Reserve or check out equipment only after the certification appears in your account.
**Individual testing by equipment-center staff is not available unless specifically noted below.**
**Certification is equipment-specific.** Completing a course or receiving one certification does not automatically grant access to every camera, lighting instrument, grip item, sound mixer, or other specialized item.
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Camera Vault – Advanced Camera Certifications
**Effective Date:** September 9, 2026
Students must have the required certification recorded in their WebCheckout account before checking out advanced camera equipment from the Camera Vault.
Advanced camera certification is granted by faculty to students who demonstrate safe and competent operation of the equipment.
Individual testing administered by Camera Vault technicians is not available.
This course-based certification model is intended to provide consistent instruction, reduce the risk of misuse, and expand access to certification opportunities through regularly scheduled coursework.
#### Qualifying Courses
Enrollment in one of the following courses makes students eligible for evaluation. The course instructor determines whether the student has demonstrated the required competency.
| Certification Category | Qualifying Course(s) |
| ------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Tier 1 Advanced Camera Equipment** | FILM 350/460 – Cinematography II |
| **Tier 2 Advanced Camera Equipment** | FILM 358/458 – Camera Workshop |
| **VFX Camera Equipment** | VFX 332/422 – Virtual Environments for Virtual Production
VFX 326/426 – Lighting for Virtual Production
|
For a comprehensive breakdown of the Vault’s equipment tiers, please review [**this list**](https://d2l.depaul.edu/d2l/le/content/653204/viewContent/13856599/View).
Further questions about advanced camera certifications? Reach out to the Camera Vault.
(*Above is a shortened version of the new advanced camera certification policy.* [**FULL POLICY HERE**](https://d2l.depaul.edu/d2l/le/content/653204/viewContent/13862125/View)**)**
**Questions? Contact the** **Camera Vault:**\
[**cameravault@cdm.depaul.edu**](mailto:cameravault@cdm.depaul.edu)
Shack - Grip and Lighting Gear Certifications
Students must have the required certification recorded in their WebCheckout account before checking out advanced lighting or grip equipment from The Shack.
Certification is granted to students who demonstrate safe and competent operation of the equipment.
Individual testing by G\&E technicians or the G\&E Coordinator is not available.
This course-based certification model provides consistent instruction, reduces the risk of misuse, and expands access to certification opportunities through regularly scheduled coursework.
#### Qualifying Courses and Equipment Groups
Enrollment in a qualifying course makes students eligible for evaluation. It does not automatically grant certification.
#### Lighting I – Advanced LED
**Qualifying Course:** FILM 355
Equipment may include:
* ARRI SkyPanel LED kits
* Astera Titan and Helios LED kits
* Vortex 4 and 8 LED kits
#### Lighting II – Advanced Grip
**Qualifying Course:** FILM 356
Equipment may include:
* Menace Arm kits
* Speed Rail and accessories
* 12x20 rags
* 20x20 rags
* Wall spreader kits
* Matthew Boom Arm kits (Baby and Junior)
* Camera rigging equipment
* Mattipoles and Matthews kits
#### Lighting II – Advanced Electric
**Qualifying Course:** FILM 356
Equipment may include:
* 12K dimmers
* 9-Light Maxi
* ARRI M18 and M40 HMI kits
* Crank stands
* Joker HMI kits
* Daylight Tenner LED kit
* T12 Fresnel kits
#### Lighting II – Advanced Dollies
**Qualifying Course:** FILM 356
Equipment may include:
* Chapman Super PeeWee III kit
* JL Fisher 11 kit
* Skater wheels
For questions about advanced grip, lighting, or electric certifications, contact The Shack before placing a reservation.
**Questions? Contact the Shack:**\
[**theshack@depaul.edu**](mailto:theshack@depaul.edu)
Cage - Equipment Certification Requirement
The following equipment requires certification before checkout:
* **Gimbals**, including Ronin-S and Osmo
* **Advanced sound mixers**, including Sound Devices 633, 664, 833, and MixPre-6
Certification is completed through a short demonstration of safe and competent operation of the equipment.
The demonstration typically takes approximately **15 minutes**.
**Before Reserving:** Contact The Cage if you are unsure whether a specific item requires certification. Do not assume that completing general production training qualifies you to use specialized equipment.
**Questions? Contact the Cage:**\
[**cdmequipment@cdm.depaul.edu**](mailto:cdmequipment@cdm.depaul.edu)
Virtual Production Wall Certifications
Students must have the required certification recorded in their WebCheckout account before reserving or operating certain Virtual Production Volume equipment and systems on Stage 21A. Certification exams are equipment-specific and are given through qualifying coursework. Enrollment in a course does not automatically result in certification. Students must demonstrate safe and competent operation of the equipment and pass the certification exam.
#### Qualifying Courses and Equipment Groups
**Brain Bar**
**Qualifying Course:** VFX 320/420 Fundamentals of Virtual Production
Certification covers access to and operation of the Brain Bar workstations and monitoring systems used with the LED Volume for 2D playback.
**Server Room**
**Qualifying Course:** VFX 322/422 Virtual Environments for Virtual Production
Certification covers access to and operation of the render nodes and supporting systems used for 3D virtual production workflows.
**StarTracker & Ursa**
**Qualifying Courses:**
* VFX 322/422 Virtual Environments for Virtual Production
* VFX 326/426 Lighting for Virtual Production
Certification covers operation of the Blackmagic Ursa camera system, Mo-Sys StarTracker, and related accessories.
#### Reservation Reminder
Stage 21A reservations and equipment certifications are separate requirements.
Use of the LED Volume may require additional reservations and certifications for the Brain Bar, Server Room, StarTracker & Ursa package, camera support equipment, dolly systems, and other specialized virtual production equipment. Reserving Stage 21A does not automatically grant access to these resources.
**Questions? Contact** [**Brian Andrews**](mailto:brian.andrews@depaul.edu) **or the** [**Camera Vault**](mailto:cameravault@cdm.depaul.edu)**.**
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