Sci Fi series is green screened

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — The Sci Fi Channel has a new series that goes where no TV series has gone before — and it has absolutely nothing to do with "Star Trek."

It's not that the content of "Sanctuary" is so different, but how it's made is a major leap. It's the first North American TV series produced primarily on virtual sets. Other than the actors, most of what you see on the screen isn't real. It's created inside computers.

When executive producer Damian Kindler created the show about eight years ago, it would have been prohibitively expensive to produce. But, thanks to advances in technology, it can be done on a budget that makes sense.

"Technologically we felt there was a new way to do this," Kindler said. "And that's actually one of the cool things. When Sci Fi got involved, they weren't like, 'Well, now just build a lot of stages and shoot it with these usual HD cameras.' They totally embraced the really kind of new and innovative way we wanted to do it."

("Sanctuary" actually began as an Internet-only movie in 2007; it's been adapted for the new series.)

The technolog has been used in films like "300" and "Sin City." And in TV productions to a lesser extent.

"Sanctuary" is shot in a former bicycle factory outside Vancouver using the new RED camera, a digital system that captures images at more than double the resolution of a high definition camera. It provides the "ability to (use) high-definition stills and focus them so it looks like they gave incredible depth," Kindler said.

"We're not shooting on film or even HD. ... It's way, way beyond that. We shoot on, like, a computer with a crazy lens," Kindler said.

"It's really going to be startlingly amazing when it hits the screens," said executive producer Sam Egan. "And no matter what size screen, audiences are going to know that it's something they've never seen before."

"Analog or digital, it will look better than regular TV," Kindler said.

But the difference is particularly noticeable on digital televisions.

"We're making TV for big-screen TVs," said producer/director Martin Wood.

From the producers of "Stargate SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis," "Sanctuary" revolves around Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping of "Stargate SG-1"), an enigmatic scientist. Magnus and her team track down, capture and protect "abnormals" — humans and animals that appear monstrous but are often just misunderstood.

Magnus gives them sanctuary at her castlelike headquarters. Her team includes forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne of "Dawson's Creek"); and Magnus' kick-butt daughter, Ashley (Emilie Ullerup).