Photojournalist Steve Jennings spoke with Sam Pattinson of Treatment Studio on the layered video looks deployed for John Mayer’s 2019 world tour. “The set includes a series of flats, which are framed within an LED portal covered by a gauze. Nate [Alves, LD, lighting programmer and lighting director] can project silhouettes on the flats through the gauze, which means we can gradually reveal the set. The gauze eventually flies out so Nate can light the front of the flats and play with the depth of the set and palettes. We wanted to combine the physical elements, the lighting and the LED so that the people in the audience aren’t entirely sure what they are looking at, as it evolves/changes. Nate was absolutely key to this idea happening. From his CAD work and liaison with Upstaging and the other vendors, to his ability to light the set and combine with video, making the whole thing work.”
-Steve Jennings, from “Designer Insights,” PLSN, Nov. 2019 page 58