MAKING NICOSIA LOOK LIKE A SCIFI CITY WITH EDITING Copy

When I first heard about this project, my mind immediately went to cyberpunk. I imagined neon-lit streets, futuristic vibes, and a city that felt straight out of a sci-fi movie. My first instinct was to capture Nicosia at night, where the tall, modern buildings could help bring that aesthetic to life. At the same time, I knew that shooting in LOG, a flat, low-contrast video format, would preserves more detail, giving more room to play with colors in post-production.

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May 7, 2025 /  

How to get a Cinematic Look with just a Tripod

When people hear the term “cinematic shot,” they often picture smooth slider or dolly movements. However, for me, it is quite the opposite. I find beauty in static tripod shots. They allow you to truly capture a moment, creating a calm atmosphere that encourages viewers to relax and observe what unfolds on screen. That’s why I was excited to write this blog, I knew I would enjoy sharing my approach to achieving a cinematic look with minimal equipment.

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April 25, 2025 /  

The Gimbal challenge: What’s the Longest Take We Can Pull Off?

What is the longest continuous take you have ever spotted in a film? Was it in Goodfellas by Martin Scorsese, with its mesmerizing three-minute tracking shot that kept your eyes glued to the screen? Or maybe it was in the war movie 1917, where the seamless cuts were nearly impossible to spot, with uninterrupted shots lasting up to 8 minutes. Regardless, one thing is for sure: We have a newfound respect for anyone who attempts a long continuous take.

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April 21, 2025 /  

Behind the Screens: The Unseen Challenges of Running a University AV Department

Most people just see the final product—a polished video, a flawless live stream, a perfectly lit interview. What they don’t see is the behind the scenes effort. The last-minute technical glitches, the juggling of multiple projects, the race to fix something before anyone notices. That’s where Studio Assistants come in.

Working at the University of Nicosia’s Mediazone isn’t just about handling cameras and sound equipment. It’s about thinking on your feet when a microphone suddenly stops working or a file won’t export five minutes before a deadline. It’s about guiding students who’ve never touched a camera while keeping things moving for those who have. Supporting our students and staff in their practical courses means great ‘customer service.

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April 8, 2025 /  

“I’m with the Crew”

The word “crew” can mean a lot of things. You need a cabin crew to fly an airplane, a rowing team is also called a crew. From my very first event, Music Vibes, back in my first year in 2021, I wore the ‘Mediazone Crew Shirt’ for the first time. That black polo felt like armor, preparing me for a battle; directing one of the most crowded and highly anticipated Music Vibes events we had ever hosted. This was no ordinary event, it was the first one after COVID. The music blared through the speakers, students jumped and danced like there was no tomorrow, and my crew and I stood shoulder-to-shoulder, cameras in hand, ready to capture it all. It was chaos, it was exhilarating, and it was our moment.  

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March 26, 2025 /  

Fresh Start: Mediazone. New people, new experiences, new lifestyle.

I always thought that the people who worked at Mediazone were professionals of the highest caliber, and to join their ranks, I believed I would need to master every piece of equipment inside and out. They seemed incredibly dedicated to their craft, and the work they did felt significant and inspiring. I aspired to be one of them, yet I constantly wondered if I was good enough to belong. 

 

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March 20, 2025 /  

The Power of Progress

When I first joined Mediazone, I was filled with uncertainty. My confidence was low, weighed down by a rough period in my personal life, and I was honestly scared. I did not think I had what it took to succeed on the team. Watching everyone around me fulfill their roles with ease made me wonder if I would ever find my place. But looking back now, I am amazed at how far I have come, not just in developing my technical skills, but in growing as a person with newfound confidence and resilience. This journey, though filled with challenges, has been incredibly rewarding, and has pushed me further than I ever thought possible. 

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March 1, 2025 /  

UNIC – Mediazone Podcast Workshop: Μια Αξέχαστη Εμπειρία για τους Μαθητές της Α’ Τεχνικής Σχολής, Λευκωσίας

Στo πλαίσιo της εκπαίδευσής μας ως δόκιμοι πρεσβευτές του προγράμματος “Σχολείο Πρεσβευτής του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου” (ΣΠΕΚ) – “European Parliament Ambassador School” (EPAS) 2024-2025 και αντιπρόσωποι της Α’ Τεχνικής Σχολής Λευκωσίας είχαμε την ευκαιρία να παρευρεθούμε στις εγκαταστάσεις του Πανεπιστημίου Λευκωσίας,  συγκεκριμένα στις εγκαταστάσεις του Mediazone, όπου, με τη βοήθεια της ομάδας φοιτητών και προσωπικού του πανεπιστημίου, γνωρίσαμε τον κόσμο του video podcasting!

Αρχικά, έγινε μια σύντομη ενημέρωση σχετικά με το workshop Video Podcasting και η γνωριμία με τους οικοδεσπότες μας. Στη συνέχεια, η ομάδα του Mediazone μας καθοδήγησε με ιδιαίτερη προσοχή, έναν προς έναν, σε κάθε πόστο, τόσο πίσω όσο και μπροστά από τις κάμερες, ώστε να ζήσουμε όλη τη διαδικασία της παραγωγής ενός video podcast. Κάθε ένας από εμάς πέρασε από τις θέσεις: σκηνοθέτης, floor manager, υπεύθυνος teleprompting, κινηματογραφιστής, επεξεργαστής ήχου και εικόνας και, τέλος, μπροστά από τις κάμερες ως παρουσιαστής και καλεσμένος.

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February 24, 2025 /  

Balancing Academia and Practical Experience: My Journey at Mediazone.

As a master’s student in Digital Art and Design at the University of Nicosia, my academic journey has been a dynamic blend of creativity, technology, and critical thinking. Courses like Digital Publishing and Digital Culture, Innovation, and Technology have pushed me to explore innovative concepts and dive deeper into the world of digital media. However, my education goes beyond the classroom. My role as a Studio Assistant at Mediazone has been the perfect complement—a space where theory meets practice, and creativity comes to life. At Mediazone, I’ve immersed myself in audiovisual production and multimedia storytelling. Operating professional equipment like Sony, Lumix, and Canon cameras, experimenting with lighting setups, and troubleshooting audio gear have been invaluable hands-on experiences. Adapting to different setups or solving technical challenges, whether adjusting lighting for the perfect shot or resolving audio issues moments before a shoot, has pushed me to grow. 

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February 20, 2025 /  

Building lifelong connections and friendships

Mediazone is the central hub for all things audio-visual at the University of Nicosia, powered by the dedication and hard work of its Studio Assistants. These individuals are not only responsible for maintaining equipment and assisting students but also for fostering a creative and collaborative environment. Becoming a Studio Assistant is not about taking on a job, it is about embracing responsibility, growing as a professional in communications, and evolving as an individual. 

But is that all it entails? Before diving deeper, let me introduce myself. My name is Aria, and I am one of the most introverted people you will ever meet. Socializing, working in teams, and meeting new people have never been easy for me. When I joined Mediazone, I quickly realized one thing: communication was unavoidable. At first, this caught me off guard. You might find it ironic, given that Mediazone is at the heart of the Communications department, but I genuinely did not expect to interact with people as much as I did. By the time I realized how vital communication was here, it was already too late, so here we are! 

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February 1, 2025 /