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Alex Chung, director of the School of Cinema, Art & Design, uplevels cinematography training for students as he shepherds the program into a new era. 

What can you do with a robot arm? It’s not a question you encounter every day. But if you ask Alex Chung, the director of the School of Cinema, Art & Design, he’ll explain that mastering the operation of what is technically called a “cinema robot” is a game changer for students, particularly those interested in commercial filmmaking.

So when adjunct professor Daniel Hurst called Chung in late 2023 to discuss helping George Fox acquire a robot arm, Chung immediately understood the opportunity before him. Hurst, cofounder of Motorized Precision and owner of Oregon-based Via Films, saw the acquisition as one more way to help students improve their skills and future employment options. But Chung was looking even further ahead, recognizing the amazing potential the camera would bring to the university.

Meet Mia

Mia, a compact cinema robot with a 3-foot-7 reach, allows for complex and precise camera work. “One of the challenges of filmmaking is repeating certain movements,” Hurst says. “The robot arm allows us to program that movement, so it’s repeatable with a great deal of precision.” The model, valued at $125,000, was generously donated by a Utah-based company called Mystery Box, when they decided to upgrade to a new model.

“I believe we are the only program in the country that now has possession of one of these robot arms,” Chung says. “It’s a signal to students that we’re continuing to invest in the program, not just in our teaching practices. I want them to know, ‘Hey, this is what’s out there. We want to introduce you to it.’”

Innovation in the arts is a theme that Chung understands well. As a filmmaker with over 20 years of industry experience, he will be the one leading the art programs as the university ushers in a new era, with the construction of an art and cinematic arts building scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. While other schools are cutting departments, George Fox is expanding to meet the growing demand for careers in the arts. Chung is enthusiastic about the future of art and filmmaking, recognizing that this is a crucial moment for emerging creators to evolve and flourish.

Bringers of Light

Creating a space for artists to collaborate and innovate has been a fundamental goal since the art program’s inception. Professor Emeritus Mark Terry, a former high school teacher and print shop owner, joined George Fox in 1997 to develop the art major. At the time, the university had limited art facilities, but president Edward Stevens assured Terry that a new building would come with the program’s growth. Sadly, Stevens passed away two years later, and despite increasing enrollment, plans for new facilities were put on hold for decades.

Since the first seven students declared art as a major nearly 30 years ago, the program has expanded significantly, becoming one of the university’s top programs. The new facility will foster collaboration, provide artists with new tools and resources, and draw talented faculty, guest lecturers and visitors from around the world.

Although retired, Terry has been following the development of the art building with anticipation, knowing something special happens when artists gather to create. “Art is incarnate prayer,” Terry says. “The prayer of creation is to bring nothing into something, separating light from darkness. And it’s what we do in this space. When you limit that ability, you limit the ability to push back against the darkness. And we’re living in a time when the world really needs more bringers of light.”

The New Art & Cinematic Arts Building will give George Fox students access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources, while upholding our commitment to fostering the holistic transformation of each individual. Donors with a passion for the arts are coming together to fund the project and get classrooms ready for fall 2025.

Learn more about the new art building

Back to the Future

A year after Mia traveled from Utah to Newberg, a group of students, faculty and staff seemingly light-beamed into the future. The group went through an exhaustive training process to become certified motion control robot operators. The certification, provided by Motorized Precision, is a highly sought-after speciality, elevating the employability of students who received the training, opening new opportunities for faculty teaching, and endless possibilities for video creation by the university’s marketing team.

When asked what hopes he has for students who learn to operate Mia, Chung says, “I want my students to feel comfortable around an enormous and expensive piece of equipment, to think about new ways of seeing and discovering, and to ask themselves if a relationship with a machine can help actualize that.”

Advancements in filmmaking and artificial intelligence will play a significant role in shaping the creative landscape ahead for artists. Tools like the robot arm and a new building with intentional spaces will ensure George Fox students are equipped and ready.