A SHORT HISTORYThe 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 managed by Project Director Juana Awad, this unique cross-disciplinary, cross-sector partnership, bridges fundamental research in stereoscopic perception with the development of stereoscopic 3D film language and production, while building the capacity for stereoscopic 3D cinema in Toronto. 3D FLIC is an example of York University’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovation.

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

The wider GTA/southern Ontario film production and service clusters will benefit directly from the work of the consortium through: hands-on training, best practices workshops, academic/industry symposia and the upcoming S3D Ontario web portal.

3D FLIC envisions the GTA as a hub for the best quality and most original stereoscopic film production.

The current 3D FLIC Steering Committee members are

3D FLIC Partners (Phase 2)

Funded by