A 3D film production laboratory has opened at Durban University of Technology (DUT) in partnership with technology company Matla Innovation.

Said to be the first such workshop in South Africa, the new facility is equipped to produce both 3D films and to convert existing 2D content to a 3D equivalent, the laboratory will provide a 3D training facility for production companies, studios and TV stations – as well for as the college’s own video technology students.

“The technology that the institute is providing could easily make South Africa a creative centre for content creation for the big screen, television and the Internet,” said Zwelakhe Sisulu, Matla executive chairperson to Engineering News.

The initiative, funded by South Africa’s Technology Innovation Agency, utilises equipment and know-how from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) in Taiwan. As part of the collaboration, Dr Kuo-Zui Wu and Ji-Da Chen from the ITR will train 20 staff and senior students from the DUT video technology unit on 3D content production – encompassing 3D cameras, recorders, viewing hardware and content management software.

Once trained, the DUT will reportedly embark on producing five 3D television programmes for schools across South Africa as part of a pilot project to provide upgraded educational content through indigenous affordable set top boxes, netbook and tablets.

“I am excited about the venture we are under- taking because it will have a great impact on young people who want to make careers in the movie-making industry,” Ms Sisulu told Engineering News.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and the Department of Science and Technology are also involved in the project, which Matla reportedly hopes will be replicated at other Universities across South Africa.