Stage 3 Media Inc., a new media production company based in Vancouver, released the first installment of Sanctuary, an online science-fiction series running two hours in total, earlier this month.

The company describes Sanctuary as the "first broadcast-quality, high definition dramatic series designed specifically for the Web." As such, it incorporates not just a series of eight 15-minute-long webisodes but also fan engagement tools as well as a proprietary media player.

Stage 3 Media drew heavily on cast and technical personnel from Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.'s Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis series to craft Sanctuary, including the talents of actor Amanda Tapping, director Martin Wood, and writer/producer Damian Kindler.

"Sanctuary is the first series developed exclusively for an online audience that offers both standard and high-definition resolutions, plus direct communication between the fans and the Sanctuary creative team," said Kindler in a press release.

The webisodes can be purchased individually, or in packages for a discount on the per-unit price.