MTV EMAs 2019
Client: MTV
Agency: Hello Charlie
For my 4th EMAs I created screen content for many of the performances including Dua Lipa, Ava Max, Becky G, Akon and NCT 127. I also did a lot of R&D and technical calculations for the screen content.
The Dua Lipa performance of ‘Don’t Start Now’ was creative directed by Es Devlin and was based around the simple concept of extending the set with additional dancers on all the screens. Technically there were several issues to overcome in terms of scale and linup of the set back stage built behind the screens. Due to the dancers only being available on site we had to create this sequence with less than 48 hours before the show. We explored two routes, the first being a green screen shoot with a series of dancers who were then keyed and played on a virtual set. The second route was to film the rehearsal and then composite this into the screens, matting out areas and extending the VT to fill frame. In the end we used the latter route, however the keyed dancers have been used multiple times as Dua did promo for the single in multiple countries.
The Ava Max medley of ‘Torn’ and ‘Cute But Psycho’ was a very graphic and audio reactive piece, with a stripped back palette of just red and white. Performing ‘Torn’ in a physical box I had to work out the lineup so that all the graphics worked around the prop.
The Becky G Medley was broken down into multiple parts and had lots of different looks throughout. I created a series of neon tunnels and neon graffiti looks that were cut into the performance.
