Videos of Interest

New York City’s new Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) has been praised for its design since it opened this fall. Lower Manhattan’s dynamic new 129,000 sq.ft. home for the arts has the flexibility to rearrange its three theater spaces such that they can transform into 10 different proportions that collectively reconfigure into more than 60 stage-audience arrangements with capacities ranging from 90 to 950 seats.

The Sphere Experience, the next-generation of live entertainment, has opened in Las Vegas, offering stunning visual displays and immersive technologies. The approximately two-hour program begins in the Atrium with one-of-a-kind immersive experiences created specifically for Sphere, here guests will gain a better understanding of how technology amplifies our human potential. The atrium is curated by five humanoid robots – named Aura – that serve as interactive guides to Sphere. Aura was developed using next-generation technology in robotic mechanics and artificial intelligence. The Sphere Experience then continues in the main venue bowl for a muti-sensory cinematic experience at an unparalleled scale as audiences experience Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth. A visuals-only video is provided here.

In this video from England’s National Theatre, they explore the staging of Lucy Prebble’s critically acclaimed play The Effect, a bold new production directed by Jamie Lloyd. Scenic Designer Soutra Gilmour and Production Manager Heather Doole, along with Prebble’s take us through the reconfiguration of the space to create the unique stage space.

Achieving an even canvas of haze can be daunting, but the fx specialists at Master FX offer some advice in one of their FX Forum videos. Vince and Ryan cover the essential steps, tips, and techniques to create the perfect haze effect.

Sadly, Jimmy Buffett died Friday at the age of 76. All of us at PLSN offer our condolences to the production teams, crews and industry friends of Buffett who worked with him throughout the years helping to share the joy his music brought to the world. We share this CBS Sunday Morning video with contributor Bill Flanagan offering an appreciation of the “Margaritaville” singer-songwriter, a friend for whom everything was an adventure, and whose positive life force was directed towards giving his music fans a two-hour vacation at every concert. 

PRG was trusted by Live Nation to support NYC Pride’s Pride Island and seven-time Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera’s headlining performance. As production partner for the event, PRG provided audio, lighting, video, and rigging. Here some of the team behind the event talk about the design and realization of the successful event, including Aquilera’s Lighting Designer/Programmer Cat West and Pride Island’s Lighting Designer Teddy Sosna.

Here is a behind-the-scenes conversation with Burna Boy Lighting Designer Anthony Hazelden discussing the design and CHAUVET gear choices to realize that design. Hazelden takes us through the setup for the concert at New York’s Citi Field. Burna Boy is an Afrobeats artist and as the designer notes, “the stage is a circus theme, so we’re trying to keep the colors to really rich reds, a lot of whites, yellows, trying to keep it all very vibrant with everything we do, all meant to be nice and bright…” Plus, there is also a bonus video looking at Hazelden’s use of Chamsys for control, specifically the ChamSys Stadium series.

Here Lies Love is a revolutionary new musical from David Byrne, Fatboy Slim, and Alex Timbers. In a Broadway first, this tale is illuminated by the talents of an all-Filipino cast. PRG provided audio, video, scenic, and automation solutions for the show that shatters traditional theater boundaries. The Broadway Theatre has been transformed into an intimate, 360° immersive dance club. This PRG Behind the Scenes video with Co-Sound Designer Cody Spencer and Production Video Engineer Asher Robinson looks at some of the craft and innovation of the production.

The entertainment technology and production industry is absolutely a team effort and concert touring is a segment that exemplifies this night after night, city after city. So, it is always nice to hear about the numerous artists that take care of, and show appreciation for the efforts of, their entire production team and crew. That said, Taylor Swift this past week truly putting her money where her mouth is to say thank you to her entire touring team. She gave out unprecedented bonuses. Her Eras Tour, which just wrapped its North American leg, has not only been lucrative for the artist, and her touring ‘family’, but has recorded massive economic benefits to every city it has played, breaking hotel occupancy records and packing restaurants across the country. That is certainly nothing to shake it off.