Summary: XSI software used to create 3D virtual sets and Gothic environments for new Web-based episodic—Sanctuary

SOFTIMAGE|XSI Provides a ‘Sanctuary’ for Story Tellers

The popular trend of shooting live action footage against a green screen (think Zack Snyder’s 300 from author Frank Miller’s graphic novel – this year’s blockbuster hit about 300 Spartan warriors who fight to the death defending Greece from a Persian invasion) continues to grow and evolve in interesting avenues of distribution, intellectual property management (IP) and of course, telling a great story that generates a fan base—and with luck, positive revenue opportunities.

Filmmakers and independent artists from large to small studios are saving a ton of money by creating 3D sets that are just as good, and in may respects, better and more imaginative than expensive sound-stage creations and exotic locations. With a good 3D  set or environment, lavish backgrounds and environments make any story much more engaging and fantastic—and much easier on set and location budgets.

One small studio called Stage 3 Media, based in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, is taking the 3D set /environment approach and applying an even more interesting business model, a web-based delivery serial, expected to be delivered in 15 minute episodes every two weeks.

The series,  Sanctuary, that premiered on May 14th  2007, is a web-based science fiction cliff-hanger-style story starring Amanda Tapping (Stargate), Robin Dunne (Dawson’s Creek) , Emilie Ullerup & Chris Heyerdahl. Fusing stunning visual effects, video game technology and cutting edge web design, Sanctuary takes the viewer into a thrilling world where science meets the supernatural. This fictional online universe fills the void left by traditional network television and provides Web-based High Definition resolutions, immersive interaction, and direct communication between the viewer and the Sanctuary creative team. 

Shot 95% on green screen, Stage 3 Media used SOFTIMAGE|XSI 3D software to create all the virtual sets and backgrounds. Visual effects producer Ron Martin said "By using Softimage XSI 3D software for the myriad 3D sets and environments, we ensure that the goal of imagining the fantasy world of Sanctuary can be realized by our artists.

We chose the tool that best suited our production and creative needs. Softimage XSI allows our writers and artists to be versatile, flexible and highly productive."

The first episodes are delivered to the public on aggregators' sites, in low-res. Standard definition and HD versions of the episodes can be downloaded or viewed on-demand by subscribers for only USD $1.99 per episode.

The episodes of Sanctuary are provided in high-definition, in a quality that can easily be projected in a home theatre or on a plasma display monitor.

* Check out Sanctuary, the new series by visiting www.sanctuaryforall.com

* Watch an AVID interview with Sanctuary Visual Effects Director, Ron Martin