From Vision to Reality.

When Snapback Productions, a leading creative solutions provider, joined forces with the creative team for Bad Omens' tour, the stage was set for a remarkable collaboration. The project had its origins in late 2023 when Snapback was first contacted to resolve issues with an alternative media platform. This initial connection blossomed into a larger opportunity when the band reached out again in 2024, requesting a media server operator for their ambitious lineup of events, including the Mayhem Festival, Slipknot Fest, and Lincoln Park's tour at Globe Life Field.

The creative team, led by the Los Angeles-based agency 1826, envisioned a visually stunning experience for the audience. Known for their work with artists like Charlie XCX and Troye Sivan (whose recent tour also ran on PIXERA), the agency's aspirations required a media server that could handle complex visual effects without disrupting the creative pipeline. Snapback knew just the solution: PIXERA.

The creative vision for the tour was spearheaded by 1826 Studio (@eighteentwentysix_studio), with Drew Best (@drewsmog) serving as the content director and Tara LaPlante (@taralaplante_) producing. A team of skilled animators and artists, including Cameron Leahy (@cameron_leahy), Colin Strang (@strangCG), Ofer Zmora (@ozvisualdesign), Jon Narmour (@j.d._nolove), Jeroen Snik (@icicle_music), and Brenton March(@ctrldchaos), contributed to the immersive content that captured audiences' imaginations.

Visual content creation was led by Immanent (@immanent_vj), with Romario Rivera (@rauxrauxvj) serving as editor and producer. Together, these teams produced intricate Notch effects and 3D animations that set the tone for the show.

PIXERA's Seamless Integration

Snapback's deployment of AV Stumpfl'sPIXERA software was championed by Snapback'sMichael Ferris (@michaelferris_), who served as the project's server programmer and lead media server operator. When approached with the challenge of implementing PIXERA, Ferris ensured the creative team that the transition would not disrupt their content pipeline.

"This changes absolutely nothing on your side," Ferris reassured them. "Anything we were looking to do content-wise already, there were no changes on their side. It was just, 'Alright, cool.'"

Ferris's confidence in PIXERA's compatibility and the system's ability to natively incorperate complex Notch effects with both pre-rendered visuals, as well as live video sources made it a natural choice. The creative team quickly embraced the technology, paving the way for seamless integration.

The tour's production design was overseen byPaul McAdams (@pmcadams), whose lighting and stage design complemented Snapback's media expertise. Snapback utilized two custom-built servers originally designed for esports, housed in a 12U rack for stage operations and a 4U rack for front-of-house.

"It's two of the servers we built," Ferris explained. "Being able to shove the server wherever on stage and still land at front-of-house for show operation has been phenomenal."

The system included a primary/backup configuration to ensure reliability and seamless transitions. For Lincoln Park's leg of the tour, PIXERA also integrated with a BARCO E2, showcasing its versatility in handling diverse technical needs.

To streamline rehearsals and enhance live performance operations, Ferris developed a custom control UI tailored for the tour. This intuitive interface allowed the team to jump between timeline sections effortlessly and monitor real-time visual feedback.

"It's largely helped for rehearsals," Ferris said. "Being able to quickly jump around and, if they start rolling timecode for audio checks, just reach over, tap a button, and timecode goes away."

This tool also provided visual confirmation of timeline status, ensuring smooth show execution.

The logistical and operational excellence of the tour was guided by Matt Dierkes (@mattxdierkes), who served as the tour and production manager, alongside stage manager Brandon Quisberg (@ld_quiz) and production coordinator Alana Lopez (@lanalion). The team worked in harmony to ensure every element of the production, from stage placement to LED mapping, functioned flawlessly.

Tour photographer Bryan Kirks (@brybarian) captured the magic behind the scenes, documenting the vibrant collaboration that brought the shows to life.

Snapback Productions' use of PIXERA on Bad Omens' 2024 tour exemplified the potential of technology to transform live entertainment. Through seamless collaboration with top-tier creative teams and meticulous technical execution, PIXERA became the backbone of an awe-inspiring visual journey. This project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation, showcasing the artistry and expertise of everyone involved.