Robert Allison

York University Computer Science & Engineering

Professor, Vision Researcher

3DFLIC Project Leader

 

Cristin Barghiel

Director of Product Development

Side Effects Software Inc

 

Rob Burton

VP Technology

Arc Productions

 

Michael Drabot

General Manager

Production Services Toronto

 

Christos Alex. Giotis

3DFLIC Project Director

 

Richard Grunberg

DoP, Head of Video

Ryerson University

 

John Helliker

Professor Sheridan College

Director of Screen Industries Research & Training (SIRT) Sheridan College

 

Ali Kazimi

York University Film Professor

and lead 3DFLIC filmmaker

 

Martin Lord

Business Development Manager

Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc.

 

Wes Liu

President

CASO - Computer Animation Studios of Ontario

 

Kenneth MacNeil

President Creative Post

 

Jim Mirkopoulos

VP Cinespace Film Studios

 

Hugh Murray

Senior Vice President

Film Production

IMAX Filmed Entertainment

 

Paul Salvini

Chief Technology Officer

Christie Digital

 

Anna Serrano

CFC Media Lab director

 

Nell Tenhaaf

York University Fine Arts Professor

 

James Weyman

Manager, Industry Initiatives Ontario

Media Development Corporation

 

​Laurie Wilcox

York University, Department of Psychology

Professor, Vision Researcher

 

William (Bill) White

CEO

3D Camera Company

Initiated by York University,  the 3D Film Innovation Consortium (3D FLIC) envisions the GTA as a hub for the best quality and most original stereoscopic film production; and brings together a uniquely interdisciplinary team of scientists, filmmakers, creators and industry leaders to solidify Toronto's message in the international S3D arena. For more detailed information on 3D FLIC, please visit 3dflic.ca.

 

 

Key activities

- Industry/Community wide knowledge sharing initiatives

- A cyclical process of S3D film creation and applied vision research

- Vision research on stereoscopic film production and support to industry initiatives

- Research on historical and theoretical frameworks

 

Benefits

The wider GTA/southern Ontario film production and service clusters benefit directly from the work of the consortium through:

 

- hands-on training,

- best practices workshops,

- academic/industry symposia,

- the up and running S3D Ontario web portal: www.3dontario.com

- the Toronto International Stereoscopic-3D Conference.

 

 

A SHORT HISTORY

The genesis of the 3D FLIC project lies in the coming together of various initiatives at York University and the larger film industry in Toronto.

 

In late 2008, Ali Kazimi, filmmaker and associate professor in the Department of Film, started leading the move towards stereoscopic 3D cinema production within the Future Cinema Lab at York University. York University had had a rich history of scientific research in stereoscopic vision, however it had not been tied to the Department of Film. Since the 90’s professors Laurie Wilcox and Rob Allison at the Centre for Vision Research, had been conducting fundamental research on stereoscopic vision and perception, and had in fact collaborated with industry partners such as IMAX and Christie Digital.

 

As a digital artist, Nell Tenhaaf the then Fine Arts Associate Dean of Research, had successfully collaborated with scientists in her practice, enabling her to liaise between these disparate worlds. Tenhaaf had been approached by Cinespace Film Studios VP Jim Mirkopoulos to explore an industry partnered initiative to build capacity for stereoscopic 3D film production in Toronto. Tenhaaf and Mirkopoulos called what would be a transformative meeting. In attendance were, pioneering industry leaders Bill White from 3D Camera Company, Ken MacNeil from Creative Post, Rob Burton from Arc Productions and Michael Drabot from PS Production Services. Recognizing the potential they were the first among the 12 industry partners to join the consortium and support the research. As veterans in the industry they also recognized the need for capacity building that would support the growing localized expertise in the field.

 

A key component to this multi-faceted initiative, was led by Professor Janine Marchessault, who gathered a team of scholars to investigate the history of S3D Cinema and reclaim pioneering Canadian contributions to the development of the form, rounding out a comprehensive scope of the project.

 

Ana Serrano, director of the CFC Media Lab came on board as a vital secondary academic partner, and Side Effects, CASO, IMAX, Christie Digital and Saw 3D, would join to round out the industry-academic enterprise.

 

Out of these synergies emerged 3D FLIC. Funded by the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Ontario Centres of Excellence; and currently managed by Project Director Christos Alex. Giotis, 3D FLIC is an example of York University’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovation: this unique cross-disciplinary, cross-sector partnership helps Toronto to build its capacity in Stereoscopic 3D Cinema.