Something is happening to our communications media. More and more we are attempting to represent a "real" view of the world through film, sound and television. New technological advances such as HDTV, IMAX, 3D computer graphics and increased spatial sound rendition all paint a clearer psychological impression of reality for the viewer or participant. These changes in technology have established the building blocks which will enable a move toward a greater three dimensional quality for both sound and image. Therefore, 3D media technologies are the next logical step in our search for true "mediated reality".
Work in 3D media is going on the world over. The technological challenge for Canada is to gain a competitive edge by understanding, applying, using and rapidly diffusing this information to our communications industry. Concerned professionals will be converging on Montreal this spring to explore the implications of advances in 3D media technologies. Our communications and entertainment industries will evolve in directions that we are now only just begining to understand.
Flashback. One of the authors of this article grew up in a small village in Scotland. As a child, he used to be very impressed by Johnny Manders, who ran the local cinema single-handed. Johnny would stand out in the street as a barker. Roll up, roll up, only a few seats left! When he lured in some customers, he would interrupt his spiel to be ticket collector and usher. After capturing a large enough audience, he would become the film projectionist. The movie would be interrupted halfway through while he sold popcorn and soft drinks. (It always seemed to stop at an exciting part but now the author realizes that there was only one projector and it was necessary to change reels.) After the audience had bought enough to bribe him to get back to being projectionist, the movie would continue.
