Underneath Portage Avenue, dreams of spaceships, haunted mansions and 1920s Europe are being brought to life.
“We could do old West here. We could do a McDonald’s commercial here,” said Jonathan Phu Son Le, senior manager of StudioLab xR in Winnipeg.
The 3.3-metre by 7.3-m LED wall near him displayed the entrance to a spaceship. He looked to Matt McMahon, an instructor at StudioLab xR, and asked him to change the lighting — perhaps a “more ominous red?”
Red light soon emanated from the spaceship, which was being filmed by a special camera. On another screen, the spaceship blended into a scene with the studio’s physical props.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Senior manager Jonathan Ph Son L (left), executive director Louie Ghiz, and instructor and technology lead Matt McMahon at StudioLab xR, a training station on extended reality for film-making, in Winnipeg.
“You can see why directors would like this,” Le said. “They can basically play God and move worlds around.”
Nearly everything can move within StudioLab xR’s filming space. The desks, the cameras, the props all have wheels.
A group of filmmakers undergoing virtual production training have different needs than a cluster of engineering students taking a tour, Le noted. Putting things on wheels “saves the back.”
StudioLab xR officially opened in the basement of 201 Portage last month. Now, it might see 100 people enter through its doors in a busy week.
The provincial and federal governments gave New Media Manitoba a total $3.5 million to establish StudioLab xR, an extended reality training site. Industry contributed upwards of $1 million.
Since opening, every day has been different, Le relayed.
“It’s technology of the now,” stated Nicolas Phillips, president of IATSE Local 856, which represents members of Manitoba’s motion picture industry.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
StudioLab xR opened its location below 201 Portage last month.
Phillips has taken virtual production training at the downtown site. The increasingly popular mode of filmmaking will affect departments from props to costumes and lighting, he said.
So far, 20 IATSE members have undergone training. More sessions are to come; the union counts some 700 members and has another 100 working towards membership.
Membership has doubled over the past eight years, stalling briefly during the writers strike in the United States last year. The growth is reflective of the province’s film industry, Phillips noted.
“We’re getting bigger shows all the time,” he said. “To have that exposure (to virtual production) in Manitoba is great for us.”
StudioLab xR is one of four sites in Canada — and the only Prairies location — with an Unreal Engine training designation. The Fortnite video game and Star Wars TV series The Mandalorian helped popularize Unreal Engine and virtual production.
McMahon is among a small group of certified Unreal Engine instructors. He’s often in StudioLab xR’s classroom, teaching clusters of 10 how to use the software.
“I’ve seen people create immense worlds,” McMahon said. “Anything under the sun.”
Worlds to be used in a movie background or video game — or, perhaps, in a construction or architectural firm. Unreal Engine works for anything requiring visualization, McMahon explained.
New Media Manitoba has discussed potential training and collaboration with a number of industries, including engineers and high schools, Le added. He called StudioLab xR a “collision space” for different sectors.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Senior manager Jonathan Phu Son Le (from left), executive director Louie Ghiz and instructor and technology lead Matt McMahon in the StudioLab xR training space in Winnipeg.
Tyson Caron was one of five directors to undergo training while making a short film in March. He and a crew created 2041, a roughly three-minute sci-fi love triangle story, in a day.
“This industry moves fast,” Caron said. “It’s always evolving, you always have to learn new technologies.”
The 24-year film industry veteran believes both virtual and traditional production — filming on location, or in movie sets without the new equipment — will have a place in the movie industry.
There’s limited space for filming with New Media Manitoba’s screen, noted local cinematographer Vince Tang. Even so, he expressed appreciation for the studio and called it “a very necessary thing.”
New Media Manitoba staff, including executive director Louie Ghiz, hope to see a larger virtual production studio in Manitoba.
StudioLab xR aims to train Manitobans for “these jobs of the future,” Ghiz stated. The 5,500-square-feet facility also books commercial work for a fee.
Prices depend on the project and can vary greatly, Le said, adding it’s hard to give a price range.
“Part of our goal is to make it affordable so that people don’t have to leave the province and pay expensive rates to go to a larger market,” Ghiz added.
StudioLab xR now contains motion capture suits and acoustic curtains for filming, but once, it was a bank filled with vaults and tellers.
The 20-foot ceilings and the location — near the Exchange District, a movie-making hub — are the reasons for planting StudioLab xR underneath 201 Portage, Ghiz said.
“We don’t want to just be doing the same curriculum in five years from now,” he added. “We want to keep iterating with the market, with the industry needs.”
He ballparked the annual cost of upkeeping StudioLab xR at $500,000. The number will change as New Media Manitoba continues through the studio’s first year, he said.
Kelly Fournel, Tech Manitoba’s chief executive, called StudioLab xR a “value add.”
Steven Foster, a business agent for the Directors Guild of Canada, described it as a “tool in our filmmakers’ tool kits.”
gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com
Gabrielle Piché Reporter
Gabby is a big fan of people, writing and learning. She graduated from Red River College’s Creative Communications program in the spring of 2020.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
