CFAT is an inclusive artist-run centre that supports artists who use video, audio, and electronic media to express ideas and stories that are under-represented in mainstream culture.

Production Services

CFAT offers a number of production-based services. Making media art can be a daunting and expensive endeavour, and CFAT's goal is to provide low-cost access to equipment and facilities.

Go online, call (902) 422 6822, or email production@cfat.ca to book equipment or facilities. To set up an account on our AMS booking system, please email Production & Membership Services Coordinator Séamus Gallagher at production@cfat.ca

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  • Facilities

    Video / Online Suite

    Software: The computer runs Mac OS 10.15.5 (Catalina). Adobe CC suite (including AfterEffects, Photoshop, Premiere, Audition, Flash, Illustrator), DaVinci Resolve 16, Final Cut Pro 10.4.8), iMovie 10.1.8, Logic Pro X 10.5.1, TC Electronic Loudness Radar

    Hardware: Mac Pro 2019 with 3.3GHz 12-Core Intel Xeon W, 64GB RAM and an AMD Radeon Pro Vega II 32GB graphics card. note: there is no CD/DVD burner, though we have an external one we can provide on request. Let us know when you book the suite if you will need it.

    Monitors: Samsung SyncMaster E2320, Sony 25” PVM-2541 Professional OLED monitor, mounted on a heavy-duty adjustable arm.

    Audio: Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 sound interface, Yorkville near-field monitors

    Transfer Suite

    Software: The computer runs Mac OS 10.10.5 (Yosemite). Final Cut Studio 7 (includes DVD Studio Pro, Compressor, Cinema Tools, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, Livetype), Adobe AfterEffects, DVD Studio Pro 4, iMovie, Adobe CS4, DaVinci Resolve

    Hardware: Mac Pro (early 2009), 16 GB RAM, 250GB Storage, ATI Graphics, DVD R+W

    Monitors: Apple Cinema Display 23” HD LCD, Sony PVM 14M2U Broadcast Monitor (interlaced)

    Audio: Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 sound interface, Yorkville near-field monitors

    Transfer from: DVCAM, DV-SP, HDV, DVD, Digital 8, Hi8, 8mm, Betacam SP, 3/4” Umatic, VHS

    Audio Suite

    Software:The computer runs Mac OS 10.12.6 (Sierra).Adobe CS6 Production Suite (includes AfterEffects, Photoshop, Premiere, Audition, Flash, Illustrator), DaVinci Resolve 15, Pro Tools 12 (Ultimate), Final Cut Studio 7 (includes DVD Studio Pro, Compressor, Cinema Tools, Soundtrack Pro, Livetype), iMovie 10.1.8, Logic Pro 9.1.8, PluralEyes 4.1.4, TC Electronic Loudness Radar

    Monitors: 2 x LG 21” HD LCD, Panasonic 50” plasma TV

    Digital Hardware: RTE Fireface 800 sound interface, Mackie Pro USB control surface, Behringer ADA 8200 A/D/A converter

    Analogue Hardware: Blue Sky 5.1 Studio Monitors / subwoofer, HeadAmp headphone amp, Sonome Headphones

    Project Room

    This is a multipurpose space where we hold artist talks, small screenings (about 30 people), meetings, and are able to shoot small productions. We are also able to feed audio back into the Audio Suite.

    For production work:

    • The room is equipped with a Chromatte Screen for chroma-key (green or blue screen) shooting with a ReflecMedia LiteRing
    • Black-out curtains
    • Removable / re-configurable sounds baffles on the walls

    For presentations, screenings, artist talks and meetings:

    • A Panasonic PT-AE400 projector is mounted to the ceiling and an automated projection screen can descend in front of the Chromatte screen
    • Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 sound interface, two Yorkville near-field monitors (speakers)
    • 20 folding chairs
  • e-Lab

    e-Lab

    We aim to create a safe space for people of any skill level to experiment with electronics, programming, and DIY technology within the context of art making.

    • Creativity is emphasized over correctness
    • All are welcome regardless of knowledge
    • Have fun and learn risk free
    • Work with good quality equipment

    Some ideas for things that you can use the e-lab for:

    • Electro Mechanics (motors)
    • Sound Manipulation
    • Timed events
    • Video Manipulation
    • Computer Programming
    • Soldering
    • PCB design
    • Repair and troubleshoot equipment (save money)
    • Interactive environments
  • Support

    Technical Grants

    Technical grants are a quick turn around grant for in-kind use of our facilities and equipment. These grants are great for small self funded projects, or for helping you get through that last push of a larger project. These grants will be offered three times a year on an annual schedule.

    CFAT offers a few types of technical grants to help you finish your projects.

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    Intensive Post-Production Technical Grant:

    The successful applicant will receive a two-month Editing Membership, giving them free access to all of the editing suites.

    Intensive Production Technical Grant:

    The successful applicant will receive a two-month Production Membership, giving them free access to all of the mobile equipment.

    Four-Month Technical Project Grant:

    The successful applicant will receive a two-month production membership giving them access to all mobile equipment. This two-month period will be immediately followed by a two month editing membership where they will have free access to all editing suites.

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    In-Kind Support

    The Centre for Art Tapes has a long history of supporting our community with access to our equipment and facilities – this support is made in the spirit of community engagement, accessibility and similar organizational values. Requests for in-kind support are reviewed by our Core Staff each month, please plan 4-6 weeks ahead.

    Please keep in mind that our rental rates are already subsidized through donations, government support and fundraising – and that CFAT is proud to offer equipment and facilities that are well below commercial rates, providing special discounted rates to non-profits and community groups all of the time. Please remember that our equipment and staff time is limited, and that we can’t prioritize in-kind support over our existing programs.

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    Who is eligible for in-kind support?
    Ad-hoc/community groups, non-profit organizations, and arts and culture groups who share our vision of artistic communities and social/economic equity are welcomed to apply for in-kind support. CFAT has lots of other avenues for individual artists to get free access – if you are an individual artist please apply for one of our programs, including Technical Grants, or ask about volunteering in exchange for CFAT dollars. Commercial and for-profit projects are not eligible.

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    Visit the Opportunities page for more information on how to apply for support!

  • Transfer Services

    CFAT now offers analog tape transferring services! If you don't wish to transfer your old tapes to digital files we can do it for an affordable fee.

    We can transfer any DVCAM, Mini DV, DV-SP, HDV, DVD, Digital 8, Hi8, 8mm, Betacam SP, 3/4” Umatic, or VHS tape.

    Pricing

    Non-Members: We charge $30 per tape up to a maximum of 30 mins. every additional ten minute block on that specific tape will be $5.

    Members: $15 per 30 min tape and and an addition $5 for every 20 min. block on that same tape.

    For Umatic an additional one time cleaning fee of $10 will be added to both member and non-member prices.

    We provide Pro Res 422 and mp4 files.

    We cannot transfer specific requested locations of your tape but we can transfer up to a certain point if you say only want the first 30 minutes of a tape.

    Please contact Séamus at production@cfat.ca or call us at (902) 422-6822 for more information.

Rental Prices

We rent 4K cameras, DSLRs, tripods, studio lighting equipment, microphones, data projectors, and more. We offer scaled pricing for CFAT Members, individual non-members, non-profit organizations, and commercial projects. All rental prices listed below are per-day.

Availability

Book online, call (902) 422 6822, or email production@cfat.ca to book equipment or facilities. Learn about online bookings here.

Book Online