We’re seeing an increasing number of events with compressed load-in schedules – some down from four days in past years to one or two days this year. In response, we’ve been implementing new gear and workflows to perform as much pre-visualization and programming as possible ahead of load-in.
This pre-programming process gives us the ability to combine lighting in the virtual world with video coming from our services in the same space, so now we’re able to manage the majority of programming before we set foot in the room for the event. With reductions in rehearsal time on site and overtime for staff, this workflow can save time, money and energy.
Using our new flex servers, we recently collaborated with Jack Morton Worldwide and UVLD on Google Cloud Next 2025, where we placed an emphasis on pre-programming not only for live visualization but also for initial design renderings for the client. While we’ve utilized some of these workflows for past shows, with this event we were able to implement it in a more comprehensive way for the client.
UVLD leveraged Depence software from Syncronorm to create true 3D renderings and pre-visualization of lighting design months in advance, allowing feedback to be collected in the system design phase. UVLD was able to take in all of the server outputs through NDI to the software, generating an overall raster for all video surfaces, with photorealistic cameras in different show positions, which allows toggling between different angles to see how lighting and media would be seen around the room and in the broadcast.
The show was programmed with grandMA3 running Mode 3 using the grandMA3 Vizkey and Thrasos Media custom hardware running Pixera. These two combinations allow us to program in a lightweight capacity with minimum gear requirements. This is a game-changer, providing a significant cost savings both in terms of time and space in the room with this simplified gear setup.
We utilized Creative Technology Las Vegas’ LED Volume to present the virtual world as large and high-quality as possible. Instead of huddling around an 80-inch monitor, clients were able to view it in a large-scale presentation.
Looking forward to future shows, we’re excited to add our new high-res switcher to this workflow, combining into an overall project. Doing so could translate to having shows 100% programmed with media and lighting cues along with screen presets. If the client can conceptualize it all, we could show up, plug everything in, engineer it, and we are ready to go.
