SCOTLAND’S screen and performance industries are to be boosted by a new multi-million-pound research and development (R&D) lab with sites based in Dundee and Edinburgh.
The Convergent Screen Technologies and Performance in Realtime (CoSTAR) programme is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
One of five UK labs, it will be led by Abertay University in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, Interface, Chroma Developments and the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme.
The CoSTAR national network will provide researchers, companies and institutions across the UK with infrastructure to conduct world-class (R&D) in screen and performance technology.
It will specialise in virtual production – a new cinematography technique that uses computer-generated imagery (CGI), augmented reality and motion capture to create virtual film and performance sets.
Supported by £75.6 million of funding from AHRC with additional private investment, it will drive the design, development and creation of state-of-the-art facilities, resources and expertise to underpin the long-term competitiveness of the sectors. Abertay is the only institution to have been selected to work across two network sites. It will also be a key partner on the CoSTAR National Lab based at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
The primary CoSTAR Realtime Lab will be constructed at Water’s Edge in Dundee with a second CoSTAR Realtime Lab site to be based at Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh.
In addition to the core partners, CoSTAR Realtime is also supported by Scottish Enterprise, Screen Scotland and Amazon Web Services.
Professor Gregor White of Abertay University and CoSTAR Realtime Lab lead said: “With a global reputation as a leader in technology and the birthplace of the video games industry, Scotland already has a strong backbone of large businesses and SMEs working in this space and ideally placed to take advantage of growing demand.
“By working closely with our core partners and supporters, listening to the requirements of industry and linking into the future-focused work of the National Lab, CoSTAR Realtime will provide the R&D support needed to spark economic growth and innovation for this exciting new sector.”
Melissa Terras, professor of digital cultural heritage at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s arts and cultural communities are at the forefront of the creative industries.
“Our involvement in CoSTAR will ensure that a wide variety of creative practitioners have the opportunity and ability to engage with and access innovative virtual production facilities.”
