NEW YORK – The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) rolled out the red carpet at New York City’s Madison Square Garden where a d3 4x4pro fed an array of scenic video screens in the iconic sports and entertainment venue. The ceremony was shown live on multiple Viacom cable networks and through smart TV and mobile devices, MTV’s website and Facebook Live.
More details from d3 (www.d3technologies.com):
Screens producer Laura Frank of Luminous FX chose d3 to provide the signal for multiple screens: the LED wall at the back of the main stage comprised of Win9 panels, manufactured by WinVision Galaxia Electronics, with an automated opening at the center; two flanking wings and a floor made of Revolution Display’s BLADE LED strips; and the suspended “Hive” – trapezoidal panels of Huasun Technology’s Flex MESH-50 in six independently-automated sections.
d3 also provided the video signal for RGB Lights’ FlexiFlex LED String on the interior of the tunnel and handled video-to-DMX conversion for LED tape on the tunnel exterior and the Hive.
“d3 is my server of choice since the 3D feature set is a natural workflow from my content specification,” says Frank. “Our system was run off a d3 4x4po Mixed Master with a full tracking understudy. They were provided by VER and supplied with a fully engineered rack of gear for signal conversion, distribution over fiber, multi-view and genlock.”
Off-site, Frank used d3 as a previz tool to aid content production. During the show d3 tracked scenic position data to help mask content as it moved behind other scenic pieces.
Kirk Miller, server programmer with Earlybird Visual, ran the show using d3’s SockPuppet DMX control. Nick Fletcher represented Beyonce’s screen team as their timeline and Notch programmer.
“We pushed d3 hard and tested new features in d3’s r14 prior to the Gold release,” Frank reports. “Things went very well due to the fantastic support of d3’s Andy Briggs, who was on show site along with d3’s Ash Nehru. Both kept us in great shape during a challenging production.”
Rounding out the team was screens associate Trevor Burke of Visual Noise Creative and d3 engineer Zak Haywood of The Hive. Atomic Scenic provided RGB Light’s Flexi-Flex and LED Tape combo on the Tunnel. The server and rack system was provided by VER’s Marty Wickman with help from Mitch Lathrop. The VER screens were supported by Chris Peterson and his team.
