Funding and equipment support students in virtual production, lighting, scenic design and AI-driven storytelling 

UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) has received advanced computer technology equipment donation and research funding from AMD to expand how students bring stories to life. The contribution includes technology for scenic, lighting, and production design, motion capture, virtual production, and AI for live performance.

“TFT touches AI as only we can: via independent, innovative and impactful storytelling.” said Celine Parreñas Shimizu, Dean and Distinguished Professor of UCLA TFT. “With AMD’s gift, our diverse artists, scholars, and visionaries gain access to the open-source technology they need to craft their boldest visions and push boundaries — because when storytellers lead, technology itself is made more powerful, more humane, and more expansive. This is what higher education and industry can do together.”

“Through the AMD University Program, we are proud to support the creative and technical innovation happening at UCLA TFT by providing students with access to AI and high-performance computing,” said David Wang, Senior Vice President of GPU Technologies and Engineering at AMD. “This collaboration reflects our belief that technology should amplify creative intent, giving storytellers the freedom to explore, experiment, and bring their ideas to life.”

AMD has donated advanced computing systems to support UCLA TFT’s departments of Theater and Film, Television and Digital Media. The donated systems — powered by AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO, Ryzen™ AI, and EPYC™ processors with Radeon™ Pro graphics — help support real-time visualization, virtual production, and AI-supported media creation.

“What stands out in this collaboration is how these technologies are being used within real creative workflows,” said John Canning, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Media and Entertainment at AMD. “Working with faculty, students, and independent software vendor (ISV) partners provides exciting insights into how next-generation creators move from concept to execution.”

UCLA TFT Students will also explore AI for live performance and location-based entertainment, with an early demonstration at a May 2–3 UCLA TFT hackathon, where students will rapidly prototype projects from AI-driven performance tools to real-time rendering using AMD hardware.

“At TFT, we provide students with access to emerging industry standard tools and practices, balanced with opportunities to experiment with completely new creative possibilities,” said Jeff Burke, Associate Dean of Research and Creative Technology at TFT and Theater Department Chair. “Artists have vital roles to play in shaping future technologies. Hands-on access to the state-of-the-art is critical to making that possible.”

As the pre-eminent public higher education and research institution for film and theater production, UCLA TFT continues to train humanistic storytellers, industry leaders, and scholars whose diverse voices engage and inspire change. This collaboration builds on UCLA TFT’s commitment to education at the intersection of technology and the arts, with a special emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

Posted 04.28.26