Broadcast graphics and visual effects facility Concrete and Shepperton’s Axis Post, part of hire firm Axis Films, have joined together to launch the first stereoscopic HD post-production suite in Europe.

Stereoscopic 3D - the process by which visual content is captured, post-produced and viewed in 3D - is billed as a potentially important new revenue stream for UK post facilities.

Breakthroughs in technology and reduced costs have put the production of HD 3D material within the reach of feature films and corporate presentations but the impact of the format is expected to influence commercials, live sports broadcasting and specialist broadcast production.

Concrete is also the first UK facility to adopt Quantel’s Genetic Engineering networking infrastructure, which can help power stereoscopic workflows.

“After adding the 3D software to our 4K iQ grading suite, the next step was to link up with a West End post house,” explained Axis Films managing director Paul Carter. “We recognise that the lines have blurred between content acquisition and post, and that stereoscopic 3D makes close liaison between camera firms and post houses imperative.”

Concrete’s joint managing director David Cox said: “We were interested in linking with Axis to offer our clients an end-to-end digital solution. This system enhances our visual effects offering and opens up an area of great potential.”

Colourist Victor Riva has been taken on to drive the suite at the Dean Street office, where a special silver screen will be installed, along with two Projection Design Cineo 30 projectors. Clients will be required to wear polarising glasses.

“Stereoscopic post-production has been very restrictive up to now,” said Carter, “but this new 3D system will only incur an increase of between 10% and 20% of the current 2D post cost, which will inevitably attract much wider production markets.”