Pearl Jam concert visuals by Rob Sheridan Productions. Here’s a closer look at the range of techniques I employed for the vibey psychedelic journey of “Upper Hand,” a transitory tentpole piece at the midway point of the abstract visual narrative I designed for @PearlJam’s current “Dark Matter” world tour. Long unbroken shots (fun fact, there is actually not a single hard cut in any of my visuals for the entire Pearl Jam show) filmed with macro lenses and ultra slow motion build to a crescendo of digitally-sculpted light.
This is one of several feature pieces in the show where I wanted to bring in some 3D particle simulations to sculpt “light sculptures” inspired by Dark Matter’s long-exposure light painting album art by @fdu4. It was crucial that the digital VFX feel organic and made of light, in order to blend seamlessly with the very analog/practical visuals I created for the rest of the show. For that task I reached out to 3D animator @imperialmonster who I had previously worked with on some pieces for the 2013-2014 NIN tours, so I knew he’d understand the analog feel I was seeking, and be able to translate my vision with taste (see more of his particle work for this show on his grid). Upper Hand is a journey through the rabbit hole of consciousness, from dark to light, from the dark deep blues of the depths to the bright orange/reds of cosmic nebulas, and from the simplest organic FX tricks to the most complex digital simulations.
One year ago we were kicking off @pearljam’s Dark Matter tour in Vancouver, following several months of intensive work filming, editing, programming, and rehearsing the visual presentation I creative directed. What a year it’s been! Steph and I will be out in Pittsburgh to see the last shows of this leg and celebrate an incredible run with a legendary band and a stellar crew. Say hi if you see me there!
Photos I took from the lighting/video desk at Vancouver night 1, 4 May 2024.
“Folding Light” practical FX visuals for @pearljam’s “Won’t Tell.” An exploration of light transforming into physical form and then releasing back into light, culminating in a physical release of light refractions out through the arena from mirrorballs on the stage and at the lighting desk. Visuals created by filming the refractions of light in slow motion as it passed through an arrangement of rotating glass.
Video footage from Las Vegas, 18 May 2024.
#pearljam #darkmattertour #concertvisuals #lightart #practicalfx #robsheridan
Steph and I had a blast in Pittsburgh closing out @pearljam’s Dark Matter tour and celebrating an inspiring year of artistic collaboration. So appreciative of the band for trusting me to bring something new to their incredible live shows, and so grateful to the crew, management, and especially the phenomenal PJ fans for welcoming me into your world. The reception to my creative direction / visuals on this tour has been above and beyond what I could have hoped for; it’s truly an honor to leave my mark on the legacy of a legendary band who was so important to my Seattle youth.
Thanks again to Steph as my producer for putting this whole project together and as my wife for staying sane alone with a toddler while I was away; to our lean studio team and our visual collaborators in producing a massive amount of video content; to Spike, Kille, and Blue for designing the production, lights, and live cameras; to the tour lighting and video crews for making it happen night after night; and to iO, for being very understanding (for a 2 year old) that “Dada has to go to work at the big office with Uncle Ed” ❤️
I still have a lot more photos from the tour to share in the coming weeks, and more inside looks at the work we did on the visuals.
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Pearl Jam concert visuals by Rob Sheridan Productions. Here’s a closer look at the range of techniques I employed for the vibey psychedelic journey of “Upper Hand,” a transitory tentpole piece at the midway point of the abstract visual narrative I designed for @PearlJam’s current “Dark Matter” world tour. Long unbroken shots (fun fact, there is actually not a single hard cut in any of my visuals for the entire Pearl Jam show) filmed with macro lenses and ultra slow motion build to a crescendo of digitally-sculpted light.
This is one of several feature pieces in the show where I wanted to bring in some 3D particle simulations to sculpt “light sculptures” inspired by Dark Matter’s long-exposure light painting album art by @fdu4. It was crucial that the digital VFX feel organic and made of light, in order to blend seamlessly with the very analog/practical visuals I created for the rest of the show. For that task I reached out to 3D animator @imperialmonster who I had previously worked with on some pieces for the 2013-2014 NIN tours, so I knew he’d understand the analog feel I was seeking, and be able to translate my vision with taste (see more of his particle work for this show on his grid). Upper Hand is a journey through the rabbit hole of consciousness, from dark to light, from the dark deep blues of the depths to the bright orange/reds of cosmic nebulas, and from the simplest organic FX tricks to the most complex digital simulations.
“Upper Hand”
Director/Editor: Rob Sheridan
Producer: @stephanie_sheridan_
Camera Operators: @donovonmedia @ilanarahaman Production Assistant: Sarah Hellen
Camera Support: @freeflysystems
Post Production: @joybirdstudios
Digital animation: @warmnfuzzy.tv
Filmed at Rob Sheridan Productions, Tacoma, WA.
Tour production design: @nimblist
Lighting director: @kkpearl66
Video programming: @mcdonaldg
Live camera director: @blueleach
#pearljam #darkmattertour #convertvisuals #robsheridan #practicaleffects #particles
Looks like a must try with various music.
directeditionpodcast
rob_sheridan
Rob Sheridan on his collaboration with the greatest live band on earth, Pearl Jam !
Rob designed stunning visuals for the Dark Matter tour which opened up a year ago, which awed everyone who got to witness it live.
Thanks again to Steph as my producer for putting this whole project together and as my wife for staying sane alone with a toddler while I was away; to our lean studio team and our visual collaborators in producing a massive amount of video content; to Spike, Kille, and Blue for designing the production, lights, and live cameras; to the tour lighting and video crews for making it happen night after night; and to iO, for being very understanding (for a 2 year old) that “Dada has to go to work at the big office with Uncle Ed” ❤️