Circa 1948 facts for kids

Circa 1948 is a cool project that lets you explore Vancouver as it was way back in 1948! It's both an interactive app for iOS devices (like iPhones and iPads) and a special art exhibit you can walk through.

This amazing project was created by artist Stan Douglas and the National Film Board of Canada's Digital Studio in Vancouver. It lets you virtually visit old places like Hogan's Alley and the original Hotel Vancouver, just as they looked in 1948.

Circa 1948 shows two very different parts of Vancouver. The West End, Vancouver was a richer area where many soldiers returned home after the war. East Vancouver was a busy, diverse area where different rules applied, and people found ways to enjoy themselves.

Exploring Old Vancouver

The idea for Circa 1948 first started as a dark detective story film. But it changed into a non-linear (meaning it doesn't follow a straight story) experience. This was thanks to Stan Douglas's knowledge and the NFB's digital studio, which had made other unique projects.

Stan Douglas first thought about making art installations that would stay in specific places in Vancouver. But the NFB wanted to make sure everyone in Canada could experience the project. So, they encouraged him to create it as an app and a movable exhibit that could travel to different places.

How the Virtual World Was Made

Stan Douglas lives in Vancouver, and he did a lot of research for the project. He used old maps and photos to learn about the city in 1948. The NFB then took these maps and photos and turned them into a virtual world you can explore! They used special computer software called Autodesk Maya to build it.

A writer named Kevin Kerr wrote the narration, which is like a guided tour through the virtual world. About 20 voice actors from Vancouver helped bring the characters to life by providing their voices.

Where You Could See Circa 1948

The Circa 1948 app was launched on April 22, 2014. The interactive exhibit opened just one day later, on April 23, 2014, at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

Later, the exhibit came to the Vancouver area in the fall of 2015. It was shown at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in downtown Vancouver from September 18 to October 16. After that, it moved to SFU's Surrey campus, where it was on display from October 27 to November 13.

Helen Lawrence Play

Stan Douglas also created a play called Helen Lawrence. This play shares many things with Circa 1948, including its graphics, story, and characters. It's like a companion piece that explores the same world in a different way!