Lighting & Previs · May 7, 2026
Michael Takes Concert Lighting from Unreal Previs to the Stage
American Cinematographer · News Article
What happened
Dion Beebe and the lighting team planned four eras of Michael Jackson concerts in Unreal Engine before building the rig on Sony’s Stage 27. Lighting data went directly to the console. Period fixture housings fitted with LEDs and movable overhead rigs helped the crew change between concert looks. Image: courtesy of Lionsgate and the filmmakers, via American Cinematographer.
Why it matters
Previs becomes more useful when its decisions survive the handoff to physical production. Here, a shared lighting plan connected the digital stage to equipment, programming and changeovers.
Antique Robots take
The valuable deliverable is a plan the crew can execute. In prep, agree which lighting data will transfer to the console and which choices still need an on-stage test.