Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and quarantine began, demand for online content/video production and streaming has skyrocketed. As the studios transition to remote working, their productivity has been impacted; it is becoming difficult for them to keep up with the demand. Embreate Inc. is an award-winning full-service production studio with expertise in 2D animation. They are collaborating with the Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) Studio at Durham College (DC) to develop assisted digital illustration using 3D graphics technology for their web series-Future Now. This is an original storytelling series based on their hit science web series What If. With over 35 million subscribers and a 2020 Webby Award, What If is ranked the world's most-watched technology and science web series on the globe by Tubular Labs. With a more technologically evolved web series, they will be able to provide an innovative experience to their clients. Hence this will help them generate more revenues. As all of Canada's creative industries cope with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing innovation and efficiencies will positively impact the future success of the Canadian economy. The product developed after this collaboration will be a popular web series. This will enable the Canadian media market to continue the new technology-enabled productions and hence there will be more jobs generated.