Technologies in Show Business: How to Shine Bright Without Getting Hurt.

Let's step away from practical advice and simply take a look around. What can help us create a memorable show or event? The modern world is overflowing with noise and chaos: events, performances, and brands are all trying to grab attention. Everyone wants to stand out. So where can we find that diamond in the rough? I'm sure your creativity is a true gem; it just needs the proper cut. And technology can help with that.

Technology surrounds us everywhere, so why not learn to use it for entertainment? Let's create a basic structure and see what we can use, with a brief description and my impressions.

- Lighting

Stage lighting is one of the fundamental technologies in show business. And while many might think it's too obvious, I want to highlight not so much the light itself but the ability to control it. Developing creative programming and using tools like Touch Designer have opened up new possibilities for creating unique and dynamic lighting. The ability to synchronize light with sound, artists' movements, or other events on stage provides limitless opportunities for creativity.

- Light Installations

Light can not only illuminate your stage or space but can also become the object itself. Giving it shape, the ability to move (kinetic installation) - you'll see how everything around comes to life and attracts the audience's attention to the event or the artist on stage.

- Laser Installations

Laser installations are not new to the industry. At events, they often just flash in time with the music. But what if we take them as a basis for creating decorations? Can we give them shape so they become part of the show, interact with the artists, and even have sound-reactive effects when the laser draws sound? Or combine it with a video convention?

- Video Content

Video content provides us with enormous opportunities for expression and style. It can be adapted to any physical size and works in symbiosis with lights/lasers, it can be the source of light itself, creating an atmosphere around it and interacting with the action on stage. The variety of video content can be divided into several types:

2D Content - Let's simply call it video footage. Here's an example: 2D graphics, a collection of video clips. Don't be scared of the word "simple". Look at many global concerts of stars, and you'll see relatively straightforward video footage in the background. Why? It expresses style and doesn't distract attention from the star itself, rather like a big lamp, flashing and illuminating your show. Why not? Simplicity here is not a disadvantage but a deliberate choice that can be essential to the audience’s overall perception.

It's important to understand that video content on stage and gadget screens plays differently. Video content on stage requires a different approach to creation and perception, considering that the audience can't see the whole picture at once and often has to turn their heads to take in all the action. While content for gadgets can be rich in fine details and animation to catch the viewer's attention, show content must be massive and occupy space over tens of meters in the real world.

3D Content - is my passion, and I could talk about it for hours. And it's pretty amusing that for many years, I just regarded it as content created in specialized 3D programs. But what is it really? What's its main essence? Why don't we call such content by the names of the programs?

It's quite simple: 3D content creates the illusion of space, gives depth to flat surfaces of screens or projections. Understanding this, you'll notice how the world behind the artist unfolds in-depth, revealing boundless spaces and worlds before you. Your content becomes flexible scenery, allowing the artist to travel through endless landscapes. The ability to create content considering the viewer's perspective allows for anamorphic effects and leaves an unforgettable impression. It's no coincidence that angular screens on building facades have conquered the world and become popular on social media. So why not similarly reveal your stage?

Generative Content - it's not just about its appearance but primarily about how it's created. Unlike the previous types of content, generative content is created in real-time. You use algorithms and formulas to create video sequences based on various initial conditions, such as sound and its frequencies, artists' movements, emotions, stage lighting, and any data from the internet or your audience.

The advantages of generative content lie in its originality within the used formulas and algorithms and its ability to react to you, your music, actions, and mood. You change the input data, and it creates new patterns and new material. However, generative content also has its drawbacks: it's less flexible in changing details and requires much computational power, especially when working with large surfaces.

I would like to highlight the role of the VJ. Unfortunately, he is often perceived as a more technical person on the stage. However, he can become just as much an artist for your show or event. Many VJs can create content on the fly, using prepared material or generative graphics, adding additional emotions to the ongoing event.

- Projection Technologies

Allow you to transform any object or surface into a video surface, opening up unique opportunities for creating enchanting worlds or the atmosphere you envision. However, it's worth noting that this technology is quite demanding and depends on factors such as the placement of projectors and the brightness of the lighting in the venue or on the stage. Nevertheless, the potential of projections often justifies all the expenses.

- Holograms

Despite all the achievements of science, genuine holograms remain a futuristic phenomenon. However, certain projection technologies can create the illusion of a hologram. Holograms demand high standards of detail and technical specifications, but their effect will linger in memory for you and your audience. Examples include Sila Sveta's show for BMW or the holographic performance of 2Pac, which are still benchmarks in the events industry and have become references for many clients.

- AR (Augmented Reality)

We spend a significant amount of time with gadgets, and they can also become part of the perception of your program. An app or webpage can introduce objects into space that don't exist, and their appearance and shape are limited only by your imagination. The technology also has its limitations in quality due to the computational power of phones, but the modern eye is accustomed to gaming graphics, so many won't even notice the difference. Personally, I appreciate the energy of live people and their direct interaction with the stage, but of course, the option with AR also has a right to exist. Especially useful for commercial events where much information needs to be conveyed in an engaging form.

- VR (Virtual Reality)

Well, if you're interested in completely distracting your audience from reality, it's time to give them a headset and immerse them in VR. Pros? You're not limited by the natural world and can create whatever you want. Cons? The weight of the headset and the fact that you're essentially isolating the viewer make the show experience strictly individual. But why not? Especially if you want to create a show for broadcasting.

This is far from an exhaustive list, but it's sufficient for reflecting on how technologies can help you create a show. And what are the advantages of technologies in the entertainment industry?

- They are stable - when correctly set up and prepared, they work like clockwork, delighting audiences and reducing your stress.

- They go beyond human capabilities - screen sizes, projections, the magical influence of light on humans... all of these are powerful tools for increasing the energy of the show.

- They are finely controllable - You can adjust your show’s “events” and triggers to details, focusing on the emotions and messages that matter to you.

- They are efficient - with proper preparation, it's not the quantity but the judicious use of technologies that bears fruit, balancing your budget and investments with the final result and goals.

I hope this journey was helpful to you, and in conclusion, I want to remind you that technology is just a tool that won't replace you, your creativity, or your product. It's you and your message - the very diamond that requires adornment.