SANGEETA PATEL
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

Although new 3-D televisions are now available on the consumer market, Humber will hold off on teaching the technology in its computer animation and video game programs for now, said Terry Posthumus, 3-D animation program co-ordinator.
“I’m still apprehensive about it,” said Posthumus. “And that’s not because I don’t think it’s good, but it’s about whether it will take or not. There’s always something new out there.”  
He compared it to HD, which developed enough of a consumer base that it was implemented into the programs at Humber.
“This isn’t the first appearance of 3-D,” said Posthumus, “although it’s come along farther than it ever has. They’ve been doing 3-D movies since the 50s or 60s.”

Panasonic’s 3-D TV glasses which use circular polarization. (Sangeeta Patel)

Panasonic’s version of 3-D television technology involves circular polarization rather than linear polarization, so the viewer is able to see the 3-D image from any angle, said Kevin Moran of Panasonic Canada Inc. “This fits in with how most people view their television at home. They can lie on their couch or on the floor and still have that three-dimensional effect.”
Posthumus said the addition of 3-D to a film shouldn’t be the main selling point.
“Animation is about story-telling,” said Posthumus. “3-D doesn’t improve the story, it just changes the way it looks.”
Jeremy Thornhill, a second-year 3-D computer animation student, agrees with Posthumus.
“I think it’s heading in the wrong direction,” said Thornhill, who has a film and TV background. “I think they’re spending more money on products that are typically the same rather than think up innovative ways to display stories to people and make it interactive.”