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Digital Catapult – the UK’s authority on advanced digital technologies – has teamed up with Target3D in order to launch the UK’s first network for Advanced Media Production Studios. The initiative is a groundbreaking one that will revolutionise media and entertainment, and will democratise access to cutting edge screen production technologies.
The collaboration, which draws on Digital Catapult’s decade-long experience in supporting creative industries, and Target3D’s expertise in mocap, immersive experiences, and cinematics for household names will allow high quality media content to be produced at scale. The studio network will use innovative technologies such as virtual production, 5G, XR, and photogrammetry to create compelling content.
The new studio network connecting London and the North East will offer unprecedented opportunities for creativity and innovation across multiple media formats including music videos and video games as well as films, TV series, and immersive content. The launch of Advanced Media Production Studios marks the beginning of a new age in entertainment and media production. With LED screens, GPU and rendering compute power and 360 live-action videography facilities, as well as photogrammetry and 4D Videogrammetry stages, these studios offer unprecedented opportunities for creativity, innovation, and collaboration across various media formats, including music videos, video games, films, TV shows, and immersive content.
The new innovative project will push boundaries in storytelling and visual communication, while also supporting British talent who are emerging into the virtual production world. Digital Catapult and Target3D have already formed partnerships with educational institutions like ScreenSkills and Goldsmiths University of London. They also work closely with Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Gateshead College to accelerate research and innovation.
The Advanced Media Production studios, which leverage cutting-edge technology, offer a suite of capabilities that allows creators to realize their visions with unmatched precision and creativity. The UK’s first 5G enabled studio, which uses a private 5G network to create media content, is a permanent facility. It allows for the creation of different types of content at the same.
Dock Street’s studio has two volume spaces that allow motion capture for up to 10 performers at once. It includes facial, finger and full-body expressions, as well intricate performance sequencing, to enhance media production. Use-cases range from virtual and enhanced reality applications, visual effect, and animation. The crown jewel at PROTO Gateshead, AMP is a curved LCD screen that provides crystal-clear and seamless visuals across a large 8×3.5m volume of LED. The North East can now access the same technology used in Disney’s The Mandalorian and other global productions. Digital Catapult has 20 facilities in the UK. The studio network will add to that. It will leverage emerging technologies to solve industrial challenges and drive economic growth.
Jeremy Silver, CEO at Digital Catapult, said: “For over a decade, Digital Catapult was a pioneer in investing in digital entertainment. We focused our efforts on UK’s creative industry and strengthened the relationship between technology, arts, and culture. In collaboration with Target3D, we are proud to announce the UK’s very first network of Advanced Media Production Studios.
Digital Catapult, through its concerted effort, including years of direct engagement with industry and the support from InnovateUK has made the case for new investments, such as the AHRC CoSTAR program to secure funding, in order to further advance UK’s creative industries. Our vision is for us to continue pushing the boundaries ahead of mainstream adoption, so that UK expertise can lead the world into a new age of entertainment that combines creativity and sustainability, and redefines the way media is produced, experienced, and shared.
Allan Rankin is the Managing Director at Target3D. He commented, “A new dawn has come in Advanced Media Production. The ever-closer merger of digital and real world means that new exciting outputs are possible, thanks to new skills and techniques, for ever-expanding mediums and discerning content consumers. The puzzle of how to make better, faster, smarter and with less impact is never ending.
The Target3D team at the AMP Dock Street Studio has worked on projects with world-renowned artists, and played a key role in video game development, cinematics, and immersive experiences, for Sky Sports, among others. We can answer these questions by leveraging the most advanced technologies in Advanced Media Production. We are able, through real-world work and Research & Development, to provide the UK with the best in class workflows and equipment.”
Businesses and educational institutions can now access the Advanced Media Production Network to use technology and creativity in order to inspire, entertain and inform audiences, while also reimagining storytelling and visual communication. This transformational venture by Digital Catapult & Target3D will shape the future media production, and elevate the UK as a leader in entertainment innovation.
Visit this website if you are interested in booking facilities, R&D or joining the Advanced Media Production Studio Network.
