MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State University might produce the next George Lucas as a result of a new partnership with the world's largest producer of media equipment.

The university recently acquired two high definition Sony cameras identical to those used by Lucas to film the upcoming movie “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones."

Ball State will be one of a handful of universities to have high definition cameras available for student use, said Philip C. Repp, associate vice president for information technology.

"The equipment acquired from Sony is the best available and will allow our students to create extremely high quality projects,” he said. “They will be using the same equipment used by professionals in the movie and television industries."

The cameras were co-developed by Lucas and Sony, a major producer of audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. The cost for the two cameras and accessories was about $386,000.

Sony also sold 30 digital cameras to Ball State for $135,000, a savings of about $300,000.

The partnership developed recently at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, Nev., when Sony officials were given a presentation on iCommunication, Ball State's digital education project.

The project, funded by a $20 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., will prepare Ball State students for creative high-tech careers in digital communications.

Repp said Sony officials were intrigued by the iCommunication project.

"Our discussions about iCommunication, as well as the success of our students, showed Sony that we are very serious about what we want to do,” he said. “We are also having further talks with Sony officials about bringing their people to campus for educational programs and other creative projects."

Sony officials also expressed an interest in serving as liaisons between many of their clients and Ball State, Repp said.

"Any kind of bridging between corporations and the university will be beneficial to our students," he said. "This could lead to new student internships and other types of creative partnerships with Sony's clients."

Sony, based in New York City, is the U.S. subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Sony Corp. Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with divisions in music, motion picture, television, computer entertainment and online businesses.