Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the loading bay for large collections by car?
The loading bay can be accessed by ringing Film Support in advance, so the bollards can be opened and you can take your equipment from the help desk to the loading bay. The address is:
Leeds School of Arts (LSA),
Portland Way,
Leeds,
LS1 3HB.
Or this can be accessed by using what3words: https://w3w.co/newest.lands.cook
There is a strict 20-minute loading time period, which is enforced with fines by security.
Please adhere to the guide here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hHF_0C_i5UmZJptEAFxOVZ61Ij-WC8YETsJTbaWMYRI/edit?usp=sharing
Can I store my equipment in LSA?
Yes, please mention this as you collect your equipment or before your booking. We have a number of cages and lockers for overnight/weekend storage which we provide a key for. Please note these are for storage only, Film Support do not collect equipment from storage for return. Equipment must be returned from the storage to the helpdesk by the person who booked the equipment.
What if I can not return my equipment? Can someone else return it for me?
Yes, please let them know of any issues you may have had so they can relay that information to Film Support.
How do I log into Nexus?
The username and password are both your student 'c' number, lowercase. The c replaces the first number on your student card.
Why can't I see items on Connect 2?
It may be that you did not attend the sessions needed on the equipment to be signed off, please contact your academic in the first instance and then Film Support so we can look into your Connect 2 permissions. Some specialist or limited items may need to be added to bookings after discussions with Film Support and academics.
Equipment is assigned to each year group by academics. As you progress through your course and attend classes more equipment will become visible to you on Connect 2. If you feel you are missing equipment, speak to your academic in the first instance, and then speak to Film Support who can amend your booking permissions. If you started the course later than others it may be that your permissions require amendment.
I need to make a last-minute booking.
Risk assessments and health and safety forms must be completed and signed off by Ben (ben.harding@ess-consultants.co.uk) 7 days in advance of any outside location activity. Connect 2 bookings can only be made 3 days in advance of any filming activity.
Can I edit the booking I have just made?
You can amend your booking on Connect 2 any time up to 3 days in advance by selecting the reference (Con----) number and 'Edit Booking'.
Can I book the cinema?
All cinema bookings must go through academic staff for approval.
I can't see the grading suites or 5.1 rooms on Connect 2.
Specialist sound and editing spaces are reserved for those taking those specialisms or with prior training. Please talk to your academic with any queries about using specialist spaces.
I am working in the building after you close.
If you have been issued a key to a space, this must not leave the building. There is a red post box on the wall to the left of the Film Support help desk, please post the key in there before you leave the building at the end of your booking slot. The exception to this is if you are working over the weekend; keep hold of the key but post it before Monday morning. Locker and cage storage keys remain with you until you return your equipment booking, or you can post them and collect them from Film Support to return your equipment.
Be aware that during term time security close the building around 10 pm on weekdays, and 5 pm on weekends. This is during term time, the building closes earlier out of term time.
The help desk is closed.
Please see our opening times on the Contact page. We close for lunch and kit preperation 12-1 pm, Monday-Friday, and any other time between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday -Friday means the available Film Support staff have been called to another place in the building and will return shortly. We are closed on weekends so please make sure you have everything you need and have checked any equipment while we are still around.
Please note, while the LSA building remains open after the help desk is closed and at weekends, it closes earlier and at weekends out of semester time.
I need an admin password on the computer.
Please contact IT services through the university website. Film Support do not have IT admin passwords for LSA computers.
I have booked an equipment test within the LSA building.
Test equipment bookings are only allocated alongside a booking for a testing space within the LSA building, others may be refused if no such space bookings are made. Please specify the corresponding bookings in the booking notes section on Connect 2. We have a small camera testing room and a stop motion studio for test bookings, and any available studio spaces at the time.
I want to use my own lights etc in the LSA building.
Anything brought into the building with a mains plug requires pat testing for electrical safety in advance. Please contact Film Support who can do this for you.
I can't see any rooms on Connect 2.
It may be that it is a specialist space you need permission to use, or it may already be booked. Any available rooms can also be booked on the day. Please see the CmisGo timetabling guide (in this online resource under the 'IT systems' menu) to check any free spaces in advance and email times and dates to Film Support, who can forward this to the university timetabling team.
I would like to take out equipment/book a space for an external project.
All requests for external shooting or tests must go through the Head of School Annabelle Pangborn (a.pangborn@leedsbecktt.ac.uk). Please email Annabelle a completed external shoot form (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FnlgltKmwtIrNzYJRpC0GbX-E2Yth2SL/edit) with a complete list of requested equipment, dates and locations for consideration.
I edited a Premiere Pro project at home on a newer version but the university has the older version and won't open my file.
Please use the Premiere Pro Downgrader (http://downgrader.elements.tv/) to downgrade your project file for editing in the university, as Premiere versions are upgraded annually.
There are no single edit suites available.
Feel free to use a computer in the 3rd-floor film IT labs LSA302, LSA303, and LSA304 if there are no classes booked in.
Do I need a first aid kit on a shoot?
You should carry a first aid kit on your shoot. Please do not use the contents as props, as all opened kits require a report of what was used. Please note any accidents and report them immediately to your supervisor.
I need to upload my footage from the memory cards, can I keep them longer?
All memory cards should be returned with the rest of the kit booking. These cards are allocated to each camera/mixer/recorder, so you must factor in upload and copy time (always make a copy!) so that they can be returned with the rest of your kit. Other bookings require the cards straight away so please do not hold up other activities and upload your footage before returning.
You do not need to format the cards after use unless you want to. We advise that cards are formatted using the menus within the equipment settings before you begin using equipment for the first time.
Can I use the smoke machine/hazer on my shoot?
Hazers require advance notice and clearance, and usage depends on available resources. You must contact Ben (ben.harding@ess-consultants.co.uk) and film support (filmsupport@leedsbeckett.ac.uk) 7 days in advance with the exact date and time required. The university Estates team look after the smoke alarms in the LSA building (which must be turned off before a smoke machine or hazer can be used). They can turn them off in a studio only between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm (Monday-Friday). Only the hazer from Film Support can be used, the manual of which can be found in the 'other' section of this resources hub. Studio doors must be kept closed for the duration of this time to avoid any smoke leaking from the studios into nearby corridors which sets off the alarms. The studios are the only places where the hazer can be used.