When Jonathan McReynolds set out to capture his next live recording in 2025, the goal was to create an emotionally immersive visual experience that felt intimate, cinematic, and timeless. Production Manager Michael Johnson called in Lumenav to help bridge the gap between creative direction, technical logistics, and real-world execution—bringing together the vision of the artist, the label, the choreographer, and the lighting team into a unified show experience.

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From our very first creative Zoom session, it became clear this was more than just a programming job. We took ownership of the full lighting system design, providing renderings, technical drawings, and visualizations to ensure alignment with the creative director’s aesthetic—described as retro-inspired, LED-minimal, and emotionally warm. Using Capture software, we delivered stage renderings that helped the label, venue, and production team visualize the final product before a single fixture was flown.

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We implemented a rig composed of Elation ACL 360i beam fixtures, German Light Tetra Tubes, and Mega-Lite Circa XL units, creating a nostalgic yet modern look that played beautifully on camera. These choices gave us linear beam textures, retro-style center bulbs, and layered visual depth—achieving the desired mood without relying on LED walls or screen content.

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Pre-production was intense. Working off-site in limited conditions, we set up a GrandMA3 programming station on the church’s loading dock, using MA3D and pre-vis software to program the entire show ahead of load-in. With no rehearsal time available before the shoot, we created timecoded lighting sequences, provided click-synced audio mixes to the musical director, and used reference mixes to finalize cues during soundcheck.

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Despite a compressed load-in schedule (beginning at midnight the day of the event), the show launched on time, fully executed with synced lighting looks, smooth transitions, and emotional pacing. The lighting received glowing feedback from the creative team, who noted how it elevated the performance, pulled focus when needed, and added drama without distraction.

This project was a perfect example of how Lumenav thrives under pressure: when the stakes are high, timelines are tight, and clarity of vision is essential. From drawings to execution, we don’t just program cues—we translate ideas into experiences.