News / Stories

Nestled in the heart of the University of Windsor’s old drama building, behind an unassuming door with the words “Studio 5” in toy block lettering, is a room where students are learning how to manipulate time and space. This high-ceilinged classroom with cinderblock walls is filled with sophisticated equipment that captures light and assembles it into alternate realities. But you won’t find lasers or particle accelerators in this classroom space; this is the environment where Communication Studies Professor Min Bae teaches students the art and science of film and video production.

Finding treasure on a deserted island, watching mermaids from a U-boat and even sinking Atlantis are now all in a day’s work for University of Windsor cinematography students, thanks to the thrilling new addition of a 1,000-gallon water tank in Communication Studies’ Studio 5.

“Filmmaking is like making dreams in a dream factory,” says Min Bae, professor of Communication Studies. “That’s how we get excited and start a project,” he explains.
It is then not surprising that, in his constant effort to expand student opportunities for learning, Bae decided to create in a unique underwater filmmaking environment for his pupils.

In December of 2006, Bae enlisted the help of Keith Greenhalf, a third year Computer Science student, who designed the permanent water tank feature and built it with the help of Bae’s independent-study students.