Role: Disguise Media Server Operator & Programmer
Client(s): High Res x Notre Dame x Riverdance
Event: Notre Dame Variety Show, 3Arena, August 2023
This was my first live entertainment show in person, and it was a big one.
Hosted by Mike Golic the night before the Notre Dame football game in Ireland, the Variety Show at Dublin’s 3Arena featured panel discussions, Riverdance performers, Imelda May, Sharon Shannon, Lyra, Tolü Makay, The High Kings, Martin Short, and the Band of the Fighting Irish.
The setup was slightly unconventional. There was no traditional single show director, and several crew members were stepping into expanded roles for the first time. It made for a collaborative but fast moving environment. I worked closely with the team at Potion, who created the custom graphics for the show.
Technically, the build was substantial. 13 LED screens ranging in sizes, two IMAG screens taking live camera feeds, VT playback, and timecoded content all running through Disguise.
Challenges & Learnings
A particular challenge came with the Riverdance content. Much of it had been created for previous setups and was not scaled for the new LED configuration in the 3Arena. The resolution, proportions, and mapping did not directly translate to the new screen layout. Rather than rebuilding everything from scratch, I used custom mapping within Disguise to adapt the existing content to the new screen architecture so it would sit correctly across the wider canvas.
The biggest challenge was timecode.
When left engaged during playback, the tracks gradually drifted and began dropping frames. Initially, we suspected system load, especially during previs when Disguise was outputting into Wysiwyg while lighting playback was also running. Individually, both systems worked well. Together, they struggled.
This continued on-site during rehearsals. The eventual fix was to use timecode purely as a trigger, then immediately disengage it in Disguise to prevent lag. Once that workflow was implemented, playback stabilised, and the show ran smoothly.
It was a steep learning curve and a baptism into large-scale live entertainment. High pressure, fast decisions, and real time problem solving, all while supporting a lineup of major performers on a live arena stage. A serious introduction to large scale live entertainment, and grateful for the women at Potion who kept me sane in that FOH box!
