SA's first education-oriented 3D film production laboratory was unveiled today at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
The lab, established by Matla Innovation in partnership with the DUT, will be used by the university's video technology students, and international as well as local production companies, studios and TV stations.
Matla spearheaded this collaborative project with eThekwini municipality. The 3D filmmaking techniques and equipment were sourced from Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), a research and development agency that promotes industrial development.
The project partners are also working closely with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and the Department of Science and Technology. “The project is part of a wider electronic device development and education connectivity initiative that is funded by the Technology Innovation Agency,“ Matla says.
According to Matla, two of the ITRI's top technical minds, Dr GZ Wu and JD Chen, will be responsible for training 20 DUT video technology staff and senior students on the various aspects of 3D production. “These include the handling of 3D cameras, recorders, viewing hardware and the use of specialised content management software.”
According to Matla, it also has the ability to convert existing 2D content to 3D, which is useful for entities with large video libraries and also for the setting up of a TV channel dedicated to the distribution of 3D content.
Zwelakhe Sisulu, executive chairman of Matla, says the technology could easily make SA a creative centre for content creation for the big screens, television and the Internet.
He says this is part of a pilot project to test the effectiveness of delivering upgraded content, including 3D content, via affordable South African branded set-top boxes, netbook and tablet computers, to help bring educational messages to life.
“I am excited about the venture we are undertaking because it will have a huge impact on young people who want to make careers out of movie-making,” Sisulu adds.
Matla CEO Chia-Chao Wu says: “We often found at a 3D movie that we were only asked to wear our glasses after all the advertisements had been played in 2D.“
Now the local advertising industry can easily access new techniques and equipment, which will allow them to expand their creative capabilities, he adds.
Professor Pete Burnett, head of the video technology department at DUT, says: “3D is the future of television and film. We are very pleased to be involved in these cutting-edge technologies as the equipment is so costly and the opportunity to receive training is rare.”
Once the training is complete, DUT video technology staff and students will begin work on five 3D television programmes, which can be beamed into schools around SA, Matla says.
The company says beyond its impact for education and filmmaking, Matla's partners believe the local advertising industry can also benefit. “The access to 3D production can mitigate the current absence of 3D commercial adverts.”
The innovation company aims to further develop these technologies by equipping studios, production houses and other universities around the country, it adds.
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