Editor

What is a Night Mayor? How Can Events Own the Night?

December 15, 2022 by Editor

Meet Philadelphia’s new ‘night mayor’ Raheem Manning

You’ve heard the phrase, “own the airways,” when it comes to launching your brand, product, or services. But have you considered owning the night? There’s a movement in some of the largest cities in the world of what is called a Night Mayor. Their responsibility is simple, create an engaging and entertaining environment that lasts after dark.

In Philadelphia, for example, the Philadelphia department of commerce has appointed Raheem Manning as the city’s first nighttime economy director. He says his responsibility is everything that begins after 5. The City of New Orleans appointed Howard Kaplan, a local bar owner, who distinguished the purpose of the nighttime economy director as not focused on code enforcement but rather on programming and entertainment.

We certainly know that not all events happen at night. But how does the concept of a Night Mayor for your event after 5 impact your planning and consideration? Further, events after 5 PM create a very unique and special way to kick up the sentiment and overall experience with your patrons and attendees. And with your major events happening in the very cities with nighttime economy directors, what should you be considering?

Here are a few of our ideas.

Connect with your Nighttime Mayor. Consider a quick google search to see if a nighttime economy director exists in the location where you will be hosting your event. Is there something you can plug into? Is there something you can bring to the city? Could there be an opportunity to merge budgetary powers to create something unique?
Find out what exists after dark. Cutting your patrons loose to explore the city is almost always what most guests will do after your event is over. But imagine what you might be leaving on the table as an un-capitalized event coordination opportunity for your attendees. Further, many attendees would welcome your suggestions, invitations, or even coordinated events after dark in those destinations.
Bring the Night to your Day. Let’s face it, all-day meetings can be horrendously dull. Maybe your meeting needs a dose of an entertainment refresher mid-day like a musical guest you might only experience on the streets. It is different and will bring the house down to a point you might need to re-energize your attendees.
Tap into social apps. How can you better incorporate social feeds and the nighttime economy into your event? Consider tagging venues, locations, and other elements into your social feeds to let the local economy know you are there. They may bring the nighttime economy opportunities directly to you.
Tech-ify your venue to reflect the night feel. When the lights go down for the keynote, is that a perfect opportunity to expand a city lights scene in your content or throughout the venue? New York’s skyline by night is much more dramatic than by day. You can use lighting, projection, and great content to make that happen.

The opportunities are endless to bring the nighttime economy to your day’s event. As event planners, you need to own the airways and the timetables. Don’t forget that you are the ambassador of both. You create the vibe and event access to the venues you are selecting. With some advance planning, you will give your guests unexpected, extraordinary moments that will be unforgettable.

Want to learn more about Philadelphia and Raheem Manning? https://www.phila.gov/2022-07-21-department-of-commerce-announces-raheem-manning-as-citys-first-night-time-economy-director/

Check out what Atlanta is doing with their Night Mayor. https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/atlantas-night-mayor-will-govern-more-than-parties

Give us a call to talk about your next nighttime event!

Projection Mapping and Budgeting for Your Next Event

December 8, 2022 by Editor

Amazing 3D-Mapping, Projectors, Budgets, and Planning Tips

Projection Mapping at Dlectricity 2021 in Detroit Michigan by Mercury Sound and Light — 3D Projection Mapping in Detroit, Michigan at dLectricity 2021 done by Mercury Sound and Light

Projection Mapping Planning Challenge

There is no doubt that projection mapping creates a lasting effect on evening events. And the lasting effect, social media posts, and word-of-mouth stories they create underscore why they are both important and justified in your event toolbox. But the biggest questions we get from event planners relate to what it takes to get started and ultimately, how much will everything cost.

Outlining every aspect of projection mapping truly is dependent on several factors including how big is your canvas, how long is your story, and for what duration will it run. These elements highlight the considerations that affect timing and price. Too often teams don’t consider adequate preparation time. Or, in other cases, over anticipate how much time is required for simple effects and event amplification.

Here are a few tips that might help you in your planning for your next big event.

Telling the Story

What do you expect to say about your experience? Will it be a few words and high visuals? Will there be sound? Does the content already exist, or will it need to be created? As a general rule of thumb, high-end coordinated experiences with audio and video will run between $8,000 to $20,000+ per minute. Additionally, there are many less expensive options, but you get what you pay for. Another important consideration is how much manipulation does your content provider need to do? How much content will they need to create from scratch?

Our recommendation is to pick competent and experienced content creators. They will know how to quote your story’s creation effectively. Your price will be driven by the complexity of the story. If you need to create assets (and you likely will) there is creative time and animation expertise that will be required. Just as you don’t want to ask the chef to speed up your meal, recognize that projection mapping is a creative process. Give content the opportunity to run the creative course and will be amazed at the final outcome.

Projection mapping at Detroit Train Station now the Ford Motor Company World Headquarters.

Projection Mapping at the Detroit Train Station

Consider the Space

The canvas you choose dictates two important characteristics. First, the extent of content needed. How much content will be required to cover this surface? How intricate and detailed will it need to be? Second, how much tech will be required to properly cover the space? Sometimes we think movie theater approach. How many projectors are required for that awesome film and your local cinema? The answer will surprise you…it’s a really, really expensive, and ultra-bright projector in a totally controlled space. Projection mapping is much rawer, but the tech has come a long way to kick great images on surfaces. Remember, you will be likely dealing with ambient lighting that you can’t control.

Our recommendation that many overlook here is to consider whether there are local restrictions in your space that might prevent you from projecting. A qualified event planning or production company will be able to guide you straight on this. Again, you get what you pay for.

Planning the Tech

Naturally, your mind goes here when you see a “tech-fueled” experience. The biggest considerations here begin with full consideration of all the aspects of an experience. Will your experience also include audio? Will the experience wrap a space or run synchronized across multiple canvases? How intricate and complex is your content?

Our recommendation for planning begins with being able to answer these questions. The best projection mapping projects utilize several projects which blend together to provide better canvas coverage while maintaining the luminosity of the content. Whether you need 2, 4, or 10 projectors will impact the project greatly. If you need audio, placement at the front, mid, and rear of the space will create exceptional experiences but also increase the cost. We also recommend working with great projection manufacturers like Christie Digital, Panasonic, and Barco. For more insight into our live event portfolio, you can visit https://mercurysl.wpengine.com/services/live-events/.

Projection Mapping edge blending example.

The key here is to plan accordingly. Your dollars can stretch when you do more integrative planning. When you parse piecemeal, you create a difficult situation for both your content creator and your technology company. Try to bring these two entities together from the onset and this simplifies your life and amazes your guests.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, we love projection mapping projects. We’ve navigated some of the best. Start early, plan well, and consider all the sides of the content, the venue, and the tech and you won’t go wrong. And if you’re not sure, find a qualified pro to help you out! You won’t overpay and be disappointed by scoping your project too low. A big impact takes time and effort, and the results will speak for themselves.

Check out our top 25 Projection Mapping Picks for 2022

We would love to talk to you about your next project!

Projection Mapping Insider Tips for Live Event Planners

November 1, 2022 by Editor

You know it when you see it! That’s right, without a doubt, projection mapping stops people in their tracks. Every time you roll into an event that took the time to take a big, blank canvas and express a larger-than-life story, the effect is one of awe and wonder. Originally called “spatial augmented reality” this category has gained much steam and notoriety with advances in technology and multi-media visualization.

But as an event planner, the pressing questions on the back of your mind are, “amazing…how difficult is that to do, how did they get started, and how much did that cost? The answer may surprise you, in both directions. Here are a few ideas from our time in the trenches that we think might help you through the decision-making.

First, the projection mapping market is not as niche as you might think. 2021 revenues totaled $652M when you consider that the market is basically comprised of projectors, projection surfaces, and corresponding services. What you need to know is that projection technology is in plentiful supply and readily available. LED technology has allowed projectors to be brighter and last longer. This tech shift has accelerated in the last 5 years. What does this mean for you? Current supply can match demand and get started may be easier than you think. Not all projects are the same and budgets follow. But if you consider these tips, your path to adding a serious wow factor to your event is within reach.

Plan the “Big” Content Story

Projection Mapping is a pretty basic concept. Take content, push it to a projector, and place it on another surface. Sometimes, event planners get distracted by a complex projection story and the intricacies of the mapping surface. We recommend getting started with a simple story prioritization process. This can help you decide how big or small you might want to go. Your audience needs the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Complex stories in this world are best expressed in multi-media and digital art imagery over words. You have a massive canvas in mapping that will provide lots of opportunities for delivering the goods.

Event Insider Tip

Here’s an exercise you might employ. Start by asking yourself what your event or brand’s top 3 attributes are. Are they words or pictures? Do they need to be animated or can they more easily be expressed in a few words or colors? The easiest content may sometimes simply be an amplified word. Imagine a 100ft tall, “JUST DO IT,” in Nike’s Futura Condensed Extra Black. There would be no question about what the story is and how it trying to be conveyed. Go big with your simple story.

Establish an Immersive Experience Budget Early

As was previously referenced, the complexity of your story will establish the cost of content. Projection Mapping artists plan in, “minutes,” of animated content. The average projection show will last between 5-15 minutes. Starting as low as $500 to as much as $100,000, we recommend setting a budgetary target in the $8,000 to $10,000 per minute range for the kind of content you would expect at a 1^st class event. Impactful experiences range accordingly.

Event Insider Tip

To help guide you in planning your show, consider how long you would expect an event patron to stay engaged in your story. One big mistake many event planners make relates directly to not planning enough or over-planning because they lacked a realistic budgetary line of site.

Match the Right Video Technology for the Job

Here’s where things get interesting for many event planners. You are bought off on the idea of projection mapping but just don’t have a sense of how much or what tech is required. Indoors vs. outdoor settings will affect what tech is used. The size of the projection canvas being a wall or side of the building will also dictate how many projectors are used. The adage holds true…anything is possible. But beware of the extremes of under and overdoing the tech.

Event Insider Tip

Our suggestion here is to pick a qualified and experienced tech partner to help you scope it. Something to consider is to get a 2^nd and 3^rd quote, if necessary, on your idea. Better yet, when you can plan the content at the same time as considering the tech to be used, you will be sure to maximize and extend your event dollar. Projection Mapping is an art form. When you use an artist’s eye in the process you will definitely hit the mark.

We hope these suggestions have you set in the right direction. There is no doubt that projection mapping is a cool way to express a big story in a highly effective way. Getting started is easier than you think. Because this form of event communication can be used indoors as well as outdoors, your possibilities are endless.

Want to get inspired? Check out https://skullmapping.com/ for some of the coolest projects on the planet.

Ready to talk about your next event? Looking for some insider tips on projection mapping? Give us a call.

Michigan Sound System Installation

April 21, 2013 by Editor

Professional audio system’s are used today in a variety of applications. Some of these applications include Houses of Worship, Schools, Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, and Corporate Environments. Whichever your application, it is important to choose the right audio solution and products to fit your environment. A professional sound company assists in customizing an audio system to meet these needs. Mercury Sound & Lighting provides its clients with a professional design unique to their situation as we have worked within Michigan sound system installation service. It is not as simple as throwing a couple of speakers on the wall and calling it a day. It is important for an audio company to take the time to measure the space and design a system that will create even coverage and an SPL that is sufficient for the type of application the system is being designed for.

Often times, we find that our clients have had previous experiences where the end result and needs of the system were not researched well enough by the “installer” (specifically Houses of Worship). We have a saying here that most House’s of Worship will experience 4 audio systems for their auditorium, gospel choir, and band. The first system always goes to the lowest bidder. Of course, this is understandable. While we breath and live audio, it is not always the most important factor when a new House of Worship is going up and we understand that.

Worship Audio – 5 Ways to Evaluate Your Mix

April 2, 2013 by Editor

An audio engineer should constantly be critiquing his mix. A mix may be perfect, but worship is constantly ﬂowing and a simple changing of songs could require your mix to change. It is important that you take these factors into account when you are on your instrument, the sound board!

1. Can you hear all of the instruments and singers?

I often ﬁnd worship services tobe a bit frustrating when I’m visiting, helping the audio team, and I cannot hear all ofthe different elements that I see on the stage. As a worship leader myself, Iunderstand how hard our team works to get everything right and the last thing I’dwant is for one of our team members to not be heard. The best way for you tocritique your mix is to close your eyes and see if you can point out each instrumentand singer in the mix. If you can’t hear a certain piece, is it because the level is toolow or is it competing with another instrument or singer?

2. Can you hear the Worship Leader or is he buried in the mix?

The Worship Leader is the most important piece to your puzzle. It is absolutely essential that hestands out in your mix and that his voice is clear and intelligible. The congregation is listening for the lead and this is what they follow. A good trick that I like to use is tweaking the treble a bit on this channel. You won’t have to turn him/her up too loud toget it to punch through. Brightening up the lead vocal will help it cut through andstand out in the mix.

3. Do I hear more sound coming from the House or from the Stage?

Stage volumeis a constant problem in many churches. Personal Monitor Mixing and In-Ears havehelped this quite a bit, but not every house of worship is using in-ears as their monitoring solution. If your stage volume is louder than your house volume then youmight as well kiss that great mix good-bye! Often, churches do not want the soundpassing a certain decibel rating. If this is the case, then you and your worship bandhave to ﬁnd that middle ground that will create balance in your mix. There are severalways to help keep your stage volume down, but we’ll save that for another blog.

4. Does the mix sound like it has layers?

Many churches suffer from a mediocre mix caused by all of the inputs being run at a similar level. If it sounds like your inputs are running at the same level then you need to create layers to your mix. This will create depth and energy to your mix. The best way for you to create a mix with energy and layers is to start out piece by piece and work your way to it. Start with your drum mix.Set the levels to a point that are comfortable for the room you are in. Then you can add in each instrument one at a time, allowing the lead instruments to be last and a bit louder than the others. Mix the vocals the same way. Mix each vocal and then add one at a time to make them sound like one large voice singing together. Finally, add in the lead vocal last. This vocal should be a bit louder and cut through the rest of the mix. Do not let your mix lack energy!

5. Are you playing your instrument!?

So many volunteer technicians ﬁnd a mix that sounds “ok” and then leave it. I cannot express this last point enough. The audio engineer is as much a part of the band as the lead guitar player or even the worship leader. The sound board is your instrument! Imagine what worship would sound like if the guitar player played one chord through an entire song or set?! It is important that you learn the songs as a member of the worship team. Learn what the lead instruments, who the lead vocal is, if there is a guitar solo or an instrument that comes in with a key part during the song. There is nothing worse than a guitar solo buried in the mix.Turn that guitar up! I always joke with my musician and worship leader friends telling them that they really aren’t that important and the audio engineer really hands out the solo’s. This is very true. The band will learn to follow your mix and you will learn to follow them. Make sure you serve them well.

Overall, I hope you’ve learn how important your role is to the worship experience and what an effect you have. The worship leader depends on you to make sure the mix is providing energy and emotion. Keep following our Blogs. I’m optimistic they will help you. You can always email or call us here at Mercury if you have any questions or need some advice with your mix. We do offer on-site training as well.

Lear Headquarter’s Client Showroom Audio Visual Installation

February 28, 2013 by Editor

Mercury Sound & Lighting was asked to design a lighting system for Lear Corporation that would create a trade show like atmosphere at their headquarters in Southfield, MI. A truss system was requested to imitate that of a an auto show display that would allow for lighting fixtures to be suspended for overhead lighting on display’s. The team at Mercury worked closely alongside Sr. Creative Lead, Assi Grossman, to insure a quality outcome in this new space.

A total of 800’ of Thomas Engineering 12” x 12” Black Power Coated Truss was installed as the framework of the lighting design. Mercury riggers did an outstanding job using existing rigging points as well as creating a few of their own to suspend the truss. 36 connector strips were then installed and mounted to the truss allowing for dimmer access anywhere along this 800’ suspension.

MSL brought on Leprecon, a Michigan based lighting company, to build a custom dimmer rack for the Southfield Lear Corporation. Leprecon designed a 60 channel install rack with five MX-2400 Dimmers and a TMB 500 power distribution. A LPC-96V DMX controller with a 15” touch screen and built-in-W-DMX transmitter was also included. This dimming system designed by Leprecon and Mercury would create a fully controllable lighting system.

80 ETC Source Four Pars and Source Four Zoom Jr.’s were the lighting fixtures of choice. With 750W Osram lamps, the Source Fours would create the color temperature desired by Lear. Each fixture was installed along the truss to meet the angles needed to light the product displays.

Lear also requested an 80’ Video Wall to be installed towards the rear of the new showroom. Mercury S & L was teamed up with Howard Luby of Mediascape to create this 80’ seamless projection. Mercury installed a total of 7 Eiki LC-WUL100 projectors. Four of these projectors were used for the projection wall. Mediascape designed a software program that would allow all of the content to be viewed as one seamless image across the 80’ wall.

No audio visual system would be complete without audio! A four zone audio system was also installed by Mercury to allow for optimal sound throughout the showroom. Mercury chose 8 JBL Control Speakers to be the loudspeaker choice for the sound system installation. Crown CDi amps and DBX processing were also used for the audio system.

The overall project included a total renovation of the Lear Corporation Headquarters. These renovations included everything from a raised floor, electrical, product displays, and signage to the audio visual elements discussed. The overall outcome was a huge hit for Lear and is expected to increase the visual experience of its clients.

What is a Night Mayor? How Can Events Own the Night?

Projection Mapping and Budgeting for Your Next Event

Amazing 3D-Mapping, Projectors, Budgets, and Planning Tips