For more than ten years, Roberts' EDU Workshop has given college visual storytellers a place to step away from campus and focus on learning. Hosted by Roberts Camera in Indianapolis, the invite only event ran January 30 through February 1 and brought together faculty and staff from photography, film, video production, marketing, athletics, and fine arts. The focus was simple and practical. Give educators tools and ideas they can use right away.
According to John Scott, Director of Professional and Commercial Sales at Roberts Camera, the workshop started in 2014 as a conversation about better serving higher education. “As these stories go…I’m not entirely sure who made the suggestion first,” Scott says. The team began “kicking around an idea” for an event focused on professional development for higher ed faculty. That idea turned into an annual gathering built specifically for educators in visual media.
"By invite only, we host mainly higher ed staff and faculty in the visual space,” he explains. “We intend for this event to be intimate, so attendance is limited.”
The smaller setting makes real conversation possible. Now in its 11th year, the event continues to adjust as the industry changes. “As the industry evolves, so does our curriculum,” Scott says. “Video was not on the horizon the first few years, but we quickly understood the necessity of embracing multiple media disciplines.”
Roberts EDU Workshop hosted a session focused on capturing dynamic school sports photography.
That shift toward hybrid education is one reason LUMIX invited LUMIX Ambassador for Education Andrew Roberts (no relation to Roberts Camera) to present the LUMIX Video Production Curriculum. Roberts serves as an ambassador for education and works directly with schools to build strong media programs.
Roberts built one of the nation’s top high school film and TV programs at Mater Dei High School in Southern California and understands the pressure educators face. According to Roberts, schools are expected to teach photography, video, live streaming, and social media production at the same time. Students need skills that connect to real jobs.
During his session, Roberts walked faculty through the LUMIX curriculum and how it can be applied in both high school and college settings. He focused on structure and workflow. "Educators need a clear path they can implement without adding complexity," he explained.
Roberts demonstrated tools such as Open Gate for flexible framing, which allows students to capture more of the sensor and adapt content for multiple platforms. He also showed frame markers for different aspect ratios, image stabilization for handheld shooting, and V-Log for color grading. Beyond camera features, he stressed the importance of proper pre-production techniques. Clear planning, shot lists, and defined roles help students work more efficiently and think like professionals.
The message was clear. With the right curriculum and tools, students can create work that looks professional from the start.
Andrew Roberts, LUMIX Ambassador for EDU, leads a session on building a film and video program using the LUMIX Video Production Curriculum.
Education is also central to Roberts Camera’s mission. “The adage of ‘leaving something better than you found it’ is a personal tenet and Roberts overall mission of being human reminds us that working together and constantly learning is generally how things grow into something better,” says Scott.
That mindset extends to Roberts Camera’s industry partners as well. “We see our vendors as partners in our mission,” Scott says. “Collectively, we can do our best work.”
Looking ahead, staying flexible remains key. Scott believes being nimble allows the workshop to respond to change and keep content relevant for educators.
For LUMIX, supporting the Roberts EDU Workshop is not just about cameras. It is about supporting educators who are preparing the next generation of storytellers. When teachers grow, students grow. And when programs stay current, graduates are better prepared for the real world.
For more information about the LUMIX Video Production Curriculum, visit here.
