Vancouver’s Emily Carr University of Art and Design is receiving $530,000 in federal funding to develop Western Canada’s first Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) Centre of Excellence in digital media and film technologies.
‘This funding will allow us to lead the country in ground-breaking S3D technology research, education and training,’ said Emily Carr president and vice-chancellor Dr. Ron Burnett at a press conference to announce the Western Economic Diversification Canada cash.
The S3D Centre, housed at Emily Carr’s Intersections Digital Studio, will conduct applied research, prototyping, and training in production and post-production S3D technology. The Centre will co-produce short projects and experimental films, collaborate with the B.C. filmmaking industry, and provide training and workshops for content creators.
‘This investment will ensure that the B.C. film industry remains competitive,’ said Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. ‘It’s the only S3D research and training program of its kind in Western Canada.’
Kerner Optical, a visual effects company based in San Rafael, California (formerly a division of George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic) is a research partner in Emily Carr’s stereoscopic 3D centre.
Lynn Leboe, head of international research and development at Kerner, attended the media event and said a resurgence in stereoscopic 3D filmmaking is underway.
She noted that the huge success of films released in 3-D, such as James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar and Disney/Pixar’s Up, is expected to lead to a boom in 3-D films and games over the next few years.