Software and content drive so much of this. So many tools and options on how to make a show. Got questions, just ask. Tried something cool, share with the group.

I’d love to hear about everyone’s creative process, especially from those who have been projection mapping for a while. When you begin building a new show or sequence, where do you start? Do you choose the song first and let that guide the visuals, begin with a storyline or scene idea and find the music afterward, or simply wing it and see where the project takes you? How do you decide what happens throughout the sequence? Do you map it out ahead of time, develop the storyline as you work, or not really use a storyline at all? I’m also curious about how you continue learning and coming up with fresh visual ideas. Whether you use After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, Illumibot, or another program, where do you find inspiration for new effects, techniques, illusions, or ways to use the features within your software? I use After Effects. My process usually starts with the music. I choose songs that relate to that year’s Halloween theme and build the visuals around them. Since I started projection mapping, my themes have included general Halloween, witches, pirates, ancient Egypt, mad scientists, silly skeletons, and this year’s Wild West theme. I thought it would be interesting to hear more about how everyone approaches the creative side and turns an initial idea into a finished show.