Miller Center for Communication Arts

Explore Asbury’s Premier Media Facility

Asbury University offers an unparalleled environment for aspiring filmmakers, broadcasters, and artists to hone their craft. With state-of-the-art facilities, rich historical ties to cinematic excellence, and hands-on opportunities, students have access to tools and spaces that rival professional studios. From screening rooms to sound stages, and from historical set pieces to cutting-edge technology, the resources are designed to foster creativity and professional development. Here’s an organized overview of these extraordinary facilities:

Screening & Viewing Spaces

Grab your popcorn! The David & Nancy Gyertson Screening Room seats students in a movie theater-style seating. Equipped with a high-quality video projector, a 16’x9’ projection screen and surround sound, this room is perfect for a student who wants to screen their latest production or watch a classic film.

Theatre & Performance Spaces

The Greathouse Theatre, a 4,900 square foot black box theatre, is available for drama productions. Along with the latest in lighting and audio equipment, the theatre complex includes a green room, two dressing rooms, two make-up rooms, a set building shop and a costume and large prop area. The theatre can also be used as a film sound stage or television studio when not in use by the theatre program.

Studios for Film & TV Production

The West Studio has a 6,200 square foot soundproof facility for film and television productions (e.g., Anchorman 1Kate & Leopold, The Chronicles of Narnia: Dawntreader).

The TV Production Studio & Trailer has an in-house control room for multi-camera productions and livestream events (e.g., Highbridge Film Festival, Newswatch3’s Election Night Coverage, and campus and chapel events).

Backlots & Set Pieces

The Interior and Exterior Backlots feature many sets for students to use in their productions. The back lot includes a fire station, two residential exteriors, a carriage house, two storefronts and a movie theatre marquee (Palisades Cinema), including a ticket office. Inside the building, there is a 30’ vintage display of three storefronts that were actually used in the 1941 film classic, Citizen Kane.

Post-Production & Audio Facilities

The two Apple Computer Labs have 20 computers each, equipped with industry-standard software including Adobe Creative Suite, ProTools, and tools for scriptwriting and storyboarding.

The Audio Recording Studio Complex features a Solid State Logic AWS900+ analog recording console, ProTools HD software, and a JBL monitor system approved for THX 5.1 surround mixing.

The Miller building act as a full museum outside of a production house for students. This museum collection the alumni collection, or what Asburians have worked on,  including Captain America, Unbroken, Lincoln, Everybody Loves Raymond, Bedtime Stories, Bonanza, CNN, Friends, Chronicles of Narnia, The Dark Knight Rises, Star Trek, Night at the Museum, Superbowl, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Veggie Tales, Avatar, Ironman 2, X-Men, Little Women, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and more.

Inside shot of a movie set on the Asbury campus with buildingsInside shot of a movie set on the Asbury campus with buildings
6,400 square foot film sound stage and television production facility
Exterior shot of an outdoor building set used by students in the media and communication majorExterior shot of an outdoor building set used by students in the media and communication major
6,400 square foot film sound stage and television production facility
Hallway in the Miller building with movie and film props and posters on the wallHallway in the Miller building with movie and film props and posters on the wall
We have an amazing collection of film and television props, costumes and materials from shows that Asbury faculty and alumni have been a part of.
Four students with medals pose in front of a Highbridge film festival backdrop at the red carpetFour students with medals pose in front of a Highbridge film festival backdrop at the red carpet
Participate in our very own on-campus Highbridge Film Festival.

Did you Know?

The Backlot feature an old neighborhood theatre building facade, designed by renown set designer John DeCuir, as his gift to Asbury. Mr. DeCuir designed sets for Ghostbusters, Cleopatra, Sister Act 2, The Muppet’s 3D Movie, and many other films and television productions. 

Group of award winners standing onstage

Student Journalism

The Bureau is home to the Asbury student newspaper’s (The Collegian). Built in the same style as the Mandalorian backdrops, the new 15×9-foot permanent screen is housed alongside multi-use broadcast equipment and is available to students for the department’s weekly Newswatch3 pre-recorded news broadcast.