The film and video department is the recipient of a unique piece of film equipment courtesy of two-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer, film producer, director, and Chicago native Haskell Wexler. Wexler donated a refurbished remote camera head known as a Hot-Head to the college.

The Hot-Head is designed to give camera operators the ability to manipulate camera movements by remote control. Wexler, among the first to utilize the equipment, had his original Hot-Head sent to Egripment USA, Inc., to see if it could be restored and donated to Columbia. While full restoration was not economically feasible, Egripment refurbished a Hot-Head of equal quality and donated it to the college on Wexler’s behalf.

Wexler’s relationship with Columbia dates back to the 1950s. In 1990, the college awarded Wexler an honorary doctorate degree.