The Ganek Immersive Studio
The Ganek Immersive Studio (GIS) is a creative content studio that produces cinematic works in virtual reality and augmented reality. GIS is housed within the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, and is made possible through the generous support of the Ganek Family Foundation, as well as sponsorship by Apple.
The Ganek Immersive Studio focuses on producing cinematic experiences with an emphasis on strong storytelling and compelling interactive experiences. We aim to explore technological innovation and how it can enhance the user experience. The studio employs the use of state-of-the-art software and the latest stereoscopic filming technology with the goal of training the next generation of interactive filmmakers.
The studio serves as a hub for students of all backgrounds and majors, working with students, staff, and faculty from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, the Viterbi School of Engineering, the Marshall School of Business, the Iovine and Young Academy, the Kaufman School of Dance, the School of Dramatic Arts, and all departments within the School of Cinematic Arts.
Our goals are to produce the highest-possible quality works of immersive storytelling at the bleeding edge of technological capacities, to produce these works at high volume, and to serve as the primary training ground at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts for the upcoming generation of immersive filmmakers and storytellers.
The Ganek Immersive Studio (GIS) Sponsorship Program
Sponsorship of the Ganek Immersive Studio offers entry to an exclusive network of the leading creators in the immersive entertainment and technology industries. The GIS Sponsorship Program brings together leading practitioners of immersive (XR) technologies and storytelling, ranging from senior business executives in technology and entertainment to leading artists and developers. We pursue this with the express purpose of connecting leading figures in the XR industry in a collaborative relationship with students, faculty, and researchers at the forefront of XR’s future. Our goal with the program is to serve as a hub, bringing together a community of people who are building the future of immersive entertainment.
Within this program, we offer several tiers of membership benefits.
Tier 1 support ($25,000/year) offers:
Invitation to exclusive quarterly events bringing together the entire network around the Ganek Immersive Studio – leading technology and entertainment executives, world-class immersive media practitioners, and top USC researchers and faculty.
Comprehensive reports on learnings from immersive R&D initiatives at the School of Cinematic Arts.
Donor name on Ganek Immersive Studio website.
Tier 2 support ($50,000/year) offers:
All of the above, plus:
Always-open invitation for personalized visits to USC’s Ganek Immersive Studio for collaborative discussions with leading XR researchers and media-makers.
Technical support from the Ganek Immersive Studio on your organization’s high-priority research or production initiatives.
Invitation to an exclusive once-a-year VIP event (only open to Tier 2 donors and above) providing access to XR donors and corporate leaders, as well as leading USC faculty and administration working at the forefront of immersive media.
First access to workshops and seminars on cutting-edge immersive media production practices.
Access to promotional footage showcasing your product’s use in project production (e.g., footage of students using Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera for use by Blackmagic).
Tier 3 support ($100,000/year) offers:
All of the above, plus:
Access to direct R&D support from the Ganek studio – full access to the research, development, and consulting services of USC faculty, staff, and students working at the cutting edge of immersive technology and entertainment.
Direct project collaboration catered to the highest-priority needs of your organization (e.g., incorporating Dolby technology into a specific project where emerging Dolby spatial audio tech is deployed in a mature immersive media production).
