HOLLYWOOD, CA – March 22, 2025
Hollywood State University (HSU) and Sony Electronics announced today a groundbreaking five-year partnership that promises to revolutionize entertainment education and develop next-generation storytelling technologies.
The collaboration, valued at over $25 million, will equip HSU's facilities with Sony's most advanced cinema cameras, audio equipment, and display technologies while establishing joint research initiatives focused on emerging entertainment platforms.
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"This partnership represents a perfect alignment of vision and expertise," said William H. Danforth, Chancellor of Hollywood State University. "Sony's technological innovation combined with HSU's creative excellence will provide our students with unprecedented opportunities while advancing the entire entertainment industry."
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Central to the partnership is the creation of the Sony Innovation Lab at HSU, a technology incubator where students and faculty will work alongside Sony engineers to develop and test new entertainment tools. The lab will focus on artificial intelligence in content creation, virtual production techniques, and immersive audio experiences.
Mike Fasulo, President and COO of Sony Electronics North America, emphasized the strategic benefits for both organizations: "By partnering with Hollywood State University, we gain direct insights from the next generation of content creators while providing them with tools that will define tomorrow's entertainment landscape. This collaboration closes the gap between education and industry in ways that will accelerate innovation."
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The partnership will also establish the Sony Scholars program, providing full scholarships to 20 students annually from underrepresented communities, and the Sony Master Class Series, bringing industry luminaries to campus for intensive workshops.
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Professor Marcus Greene, Head of HSU's Film Department, noted that the impact will be felt immediately: "Starting this fall, our students will be shooting their projects on the same equipment used for major studio productions. This isn't just about access to technology—it's about learning to think differently about what's possible."
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The agreement includes plans for joint intellectual property development, with revenue-sharing mechanisms that will help fund future educational initiatives at HSU.
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The formal partnership launch will be celebrated with a technology showcase open to the public on May 15, 2025, featuring demonstrations of prototype technologies and student work.
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For more information, visit www.HollywoodStateU.com/sony-partnership.