As a kid, John Cundy wasn’t sure what he wanted to do when he grew up. He knew he enjoyed taking things apart and figuring out how they worked, and he had an interest in photography. But his love for video production began when his family bought a Sony Handycam camcorder.
Now a virtual production expert at USF’s Innovative Education Studios, Cundy fondly looks back on where it all began.
He recalls experimenting with the camcorder when his friends would visit.
“We would make homemade videos of us doing bike stunts in my backyard,” Cundy said.
Beginning his education
After years of DIY projects, he decided to study video, photography, and art while completing his associate’s degree at a community college near his hometown in Endwell, New York.
Feeling confident in his chosen path, he transferred to the State University of New York – Cortland to pursue a bachelor’s degree in new media design with a minor in computer applications, which combined classical fine arts, art history, graphic design, multimedia design, and computer programming.
“One of my professors, Martine Barnaby, pushed me to think out of the box and complete an independent study to learn how to use Adobe After Effects, Premiere, and other editing software,” Cundy said.
That led him to build his first creative portfolio, which helped launch his career. After graduating, Cundy landed freelance work with his alma mater’s alumni association and soon started taking on projects for other SUNY campuses throughout the state.
His freelance work led him to explore aerial videography, prompting him to purchase his first drone. After earning a Part 107 license and refining his skills, Cundy began recording campus tours for several SUNY locations. This newfound skill opened the door to a full-time role at SUNY Binghamton, where he filmed and edited for the university’s admissions marketing team.
While he enjoyed his time there, he and his wife, Mikayla, decided to move to the Sunshine State. She was eager to pursue her master’s and specialist degrees in school psychology at USF, so the two moved to Tampa to start their next chapter.
Joining InEd
Soon after getting settled in Florida, Cundy found a role at InEd as a multimedia designer.
“I had come from a very small video team, so joining this new team gave me a lot of opportunities to learn from the people around me,” he said.
Cundy has loved working with countless faculty and courses over the past eight years.
“You’re basically getting a degree by association on the job,” he said. “One day, we’re in science labs and learning how to dissect an animal, and the next, we’re learning the basics of electrical engineering.”
One of his favorite projects was a video produced for USF’s Geosciences course with Professor Matthew Pasek, PhD. The team made a trip to Columbia Spring, where they traveled in kayaks along some of Florida’s most scenic waters with their cameras onboard.
“That was a really cool experience because we were in the thick of it with faculty and learning hands-on as we were filming,” Cundy said.
Another project that made a lasting impact was a documentary produced for USF Libraries Digital Heritage and Humanities Collection, Our Last Chance: Preserving Cape Canaveral.
“We had the incredible opportunity to step onto historic launch sites where some of the first manned space missions were launched and capture their significance before they’re lost to climate change and rising sea levels. It was surreal to film in such a historic location and collaborate with USF Libraries in documenting and preserving these landmarks.”
Adapting to new technology
As his role has evolved over the years, he has worked diligently to stay up to date with the latest virtual production technology.
Currently serving his team as assistant director and virtual production supervisor, he ensures that studio equipment is well-maintained and manages pre-production processes such as camera tests and virtual scouting.
One of the most exciting parts of his job is creating virtual environments using the team’s state-of-the-art studios.
Whether using Unreal Engine to create real-time rendered 3D environments or ensuring seamless projection onto an LED volume, Cundy bridges the gaps between the physical production team, art department, and virtual production crew.
He plays a key role in crafting immersive learning experiences that blend real-world and digital elements, transporting faculty to lifelike virtual locations and enhancing student engagement through the power of virtual production.
Future goals in virtual production
Cundy looks forward to helping InEd Studios evolve and reach its full potential.
“One thing I’m excited about is seeing our team continue to grow and push the boundaries of what’s possible,” he said. “I’d love to take the virtual environments we’re creating and expand them into immersive, gamified VR experiences for students.”
One exciting idea he has is for students to use VR experiences to complete class assignments or tasks.
“For example, if we created a virtual classroom lab environment for an electrical engineering course, we could transform that 3D game engine level into an interactive VR experience. Students could take a virtual safety tour, practice wiring a circuit in a risk-free setting, or design and test circuits using a variety of electrical engineering components – all within an immersive, hands-on learning environment.”
Life outside of work
When he’s not immersed in virtual production, Cundy enjoys exploring new hobbies and creative pursuits. He finds woodworking to be a rewarding outlet, recently crafting a dining room table, coffee table, and console table – each reflecting his passion for craftsmanship and building something lasting.
He and his wife, Mikayla, love weekend trips to Dunedin, where they enjoy the outdoors, try new restaurants and unwind with their two golden retrievers, Cooper and Winnie – often taking them to the dog beach. Cundy also enjoys golfing with friends and traveling, with skiing and snowboarding trips being favorite pastimes during the winter months.
Whether he’s building dynamic virtual environments, discovering new technologies, or sharpening his handiwork skills, Cundy’s passion for creativity and innovation continues to shape his journey – one project at a time.