Kaysville, Utah
The Davis School District Catalyst Center focuses on preparing high school students for broadcast careers by providing opportunities for hands-on experience with state-of-the-art broadcast equipment.
The Challenge
Davis School District envisioned its Catalyst Center as an innovative technical high school that bridges the gap between education and industry. A pivotal element of this vision was creating a state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio for a high school—an unprecedented achievement. This studio is equipped with the same DVLED screen technology used to film the entire Mandalorian series. The school required an experienced AV integrator capable of designing and implementing a studio environment that met industry standards while remaining flexible enough for diverse interests, from music production and podcasting to filmmaking and virtual production.
“It’s the expertise that Ford brings and the experience that they bring that really made this studio what it is.”
The Solution
Ford AV collaborated closely with Davis School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) team, facility managers, IT staff, and architects to ensure that every element of the studio’s design aligned with industry needs.
- Comprehensive AV Design & Integration – Ford AV provided expertise in studio layout, acoustic treatment, lighting, and broadcast control systems to optimize creative and technical workflow.
- Advanced Production Technology – The studio was equipped with broadcast cameras, lighting rigs, Unreal Engine-powered virtual production tools, and professional audio systems to simulate real-world production environments.
- Strategic Design Consultation – Ford AV’s insights led to critical design improvements, such as eliminating an originally planned control room window.
- Pre-Project Site Evaluation – Ford AV’s team visited the Catalyst Center before formal discussions began, ensuring their recommendations were tailored specifically to the space and its unique challenges.
The Results
The Catalyst Center’s AV studio is now a flagship facility that provides students with immersive, hands-on learning opportunities. The space has attracted industry professionals, with producers from Los Angeles noting that nothing like this exists in their own schools. Students are gaining practical experience in professional AV workflows, setting them up for successful careers in media production.
“We had a student that said this is the best educational experience I’ve ever had in my life.”
Participants
Owner: Davis School District
Architects: VCBO Architecture
General Contractor: Hogan & Associates Construction
AV Design-Build Contractor: Ford Audio-Video Systems
Technology Highlights
✔ Broadcast-Quality Cameras & Lighting
✔ Unreal Engine Virtual Production System
✔ Professional Audio & Podcasting Setup
✔ Studio Control Room with Integrated Workflow