A £9m virtual production studio has opened in Dundee, with the goal of promoting research, innovation and economic growth across the sector.
The CoSTAR Realtime Lab is based at Abertay University in Dundee and forms part of a major infrastructure project to boost the country’s screen industries.
“The CoSTAR Realtime Lab will build on the strong foundations of Scotland’s gaming cluster, bringing together next generation production technologies, the latest in video game development, and AI and machine learning, to support innovators in the creation of new technologies, experiences, and markets,” said Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Executive Chair, Professor Christopher Smith.
“As part of the CoSTAR network it will play a key role in ensuring that the UK’s creative industries act as a key driver of growth as identified in the government’s industrial strategy. It is by strategically investing in the industries of the future that AHRC shows how arts and humanities research drives innovation and growth in a 21st century economy.”
AHRC is delivering the CoSTAR Network, which represents the largest investment in Creative Industries R&D to date with a £75.6m grant awarded by the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
The network includes the previously announced CoSTAR Lab investment at Production Park investment in Wakefield, plus basis in Pinewood and Belfast.
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The CoSTAR Realtime Lab will be operated in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, CodeBase, Interface and Chroma Developments.
The studio at Chroma Developments’ Water’s Edge in Dundee will be supported with a further studio led by the University of Edinburgh to open at First Stage Studios in the city next month.
The facilities will be connected through the Realtime Cloud Lab supporting remote access and collaboration.
“With the technologies that power our screen-based experiences in film, games and performance rapidly converging there’s an opportunity for companies working in these sectors to diversify their offer, explore new markets and push the boundaries of what was previously thought possible in their sectors,” said Professor Gregor White, Director of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab.
“Bringing together international-quality academic researchers with industry experience and enterprise support, CoSTAR Realtime Lab is a truly collaborative project which will break down barriers for the Scottish creative industries, encourage entrepreneurship and experimentation, and provide a space where innovation can flourish.”
The partnership with researchers will support industry-led projects to generate new products and processes to improve production pipelines including, 3D environments and video processing, performance and motion capture, facial animation, automated speech and dynamic generation of hyper-realistic digital film sets.
It will also examine ways to enhance spectator experiences at concerts, live events and museums and how immersive technologies like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality can be better used and integrated.
“Scotland has vibrant creative industries, with world-leading activity in festivals, film/TV, music, heritage, and games in particular,” added Professor Melissa Terras MBE, Edinburgh College of Art, Co-director of the CoSTAR Realtime Lab.
“Building a bridge between creatives and technologists will allow us to support the development of new products and services, while also ensuring that we are encouraging diverse access to cutting edge facilities, which will then produce diverse outputs. The partnership behind CoSTAR Realtime Lab is expertly placed to deliver this exciting innovation vehicle to support our creative communities.”
