Epic FX = lasers + art + love

Missy Elliot is a legend. We had the pleasure of working with her and creating underwater laser effects for her new video “I’m Better”. I really like this song – long live the queen! Check out the video clip of our work:

Greetings friends!

Recently, we had the pleasure of working with Unispace, a premier international design and architecture firm, to create an interactive laser based installation for Brookfield’s DesignHive project in downtown Los Angeles. The installation enables the user to project various furniture configurations in a large space at the touch of an iPad. This project allowed us to make inroads in custom iOS app development and non-traditional uses of lasers – both of which are key components of our future strategies. I look forward to collaborating with Unispace again in the near future!

THE COVER OF PHOENIX MAGAZINE???

Wow.

I am extremely humbled by this opportunity and consider it a great honor to be asked to speak on the topic of the future of Phoenix. Thank you so much Phoenix Magazine, Niki D’Andrea and the entire team of incredible people who came together to make this happen. You can read the entire article and interview HERE.

Greetings, Epic friends. It’s been a bit since our last update – so I’ll briefly cover a few things.

First, I’m thrilled to announce that we’re collaborating with The Acid, an incredible new eclectic electronic act on Mute records. We’re designing live minimal geometric lasers to add to their already captivating visuals. As of today, tickets are still available for the May 8th show at the El Rey theater in Los Angeles. Expect nothing less than a dark, sensual and all encompassing psychedelic experience. The Acid vs. Epic FX will be mind-meltingly good.

Here’s a video for “Fame” off their debut album Liminal:

Second, Epic FX is moving into the realm of art therapy, EEG systems, BCI (brain computer interfaces), neuroregeneration and real-time neurofeedback. The goal is to merge our existing audio-visual tech with cutting edge brain tech to bring tangible, measurable healing to those with Autism, PTSD, anxiety and other psychological and neurological conditions. We’re in the very beginning stages of setting up our laboratory in downtown Phoenix in collaboration with Unexpected Gallery. Stay tuned for more exciting info on that front!

Hello all.

For the last couple months we at Epic FX have been working on L.I.V.I.D. (Laser Integrated Video Interactive Display). It’s a piece of software that lets us integrate laser and video projections in a whole new way. Check out a quick sample and open house promo video here:

We need to document the capabilities of our new creation, so we decided to open up the studio for friends and colleagues to see our progress and give us some feedback. This project will be the foundation for many of our art installation projects in the next year, so your input and ideas are appreciated. A big thank you to the Walter Studio crew for hosting us!

The demo will be open from 8pm-10pm on Friday the 30th and 8pm-10pm on Saturday the 31st.

Drinks and appetizers will be provided.

The Walter Show Studios 834 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

This is an open invite, so feel free to invite your friends.

The Nosaj Thing video is finally out! Our collaboration at Decibel Festival was obviously best seen live, but this video highlights a unique perspective. I’m sure you know people that would enjoy this – please pass it along.

Here’s the official press release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/03/prweb11632063.htm

Despite our lack of posts over the last few months, we’ve been hard at work on several projects that we can share with you now, so let’s catch up.

Before the holidays, Epic FX was commissioned with creating Grand Canyon University’s new men’s basketball team introduction.  With the recent admission of the school into Division I and the acquisition of “Thunder” Dan Majerle as their head coach, GCU was looking to make their team introduction video more dynamic.  What better way to highlight your new roster than with a laser aesthetic!  Check out the final product here:

  Not fans of idle hands, we also prepared a piece for one of Phoenix’s newest pop-up galleries, ArtelPHX, which took over The Clarendon as a two night home to many Arizona artists.  We transformed our space with an algorithm driven audio-visual laser installation.  Using heavy haze and 2 RGB lasers, we were able to visually divide the space, while creating an evolving, emersive sound-scape.  Here’s a glimpse of the results:

  Also, last fall we migrated north to take part in Decibel Fest in Seattle, WA, an electronic music and visual art festival in it’s tenth year running.  Within the span of 5 days, we were able to collaborate and contribute to the performances of 12 diverse artists including: Moby, Flosstradamus, Nosaj Thing, Mount Kimbie and more. Our use of live, improvisational 3D visuals and lasers created a unique aesthetic to some of the festival’s most memorable performances.  Take a look at our quick recap here:

  Don’t forget: the fully produced video of our live collaboration with Nosaj Thing is right around the corner!

Things are churning along nicely on the live Nosaj Thing videos – expect something from us within the week. Until that moment arrives, here’s some interesting Decibel Festival tidbits to tide you over…

First off, Decibel Festival assembled their official 2013 photo gallery. For those of you who missed this year’s event, (the 10 year anniversary, no less) this will give you a glimpse into one of the nation’s premier electronic music and visual art festivals. I highly recommend you putting DB fest on your bucket list, if it’s not already.

Today’s theme is bloggers who seem to have a bitter-sweet love-hate relationship with lasers. Enough said. “Brilliant lasers (from what I am sure were very expensive flashlights) cast neon shadow-play with the oppressive artificial fog as fists pumped, heels stomped, floorboard bowed, and whoops rang out loud and jubilant”, writes Kiva Ramundo from SSG music.

Potholesinmyblog.com had this to say of our visuals for Blockhead’s set: “I have to tip my hat off to Epic Lasers on the visuals because the dub/psychedelic parts of Blockhead’s set were matched to a trippy looking live-feed kaleidoscope image.”   Well, the credit goes to David, who manned the video projections all festival long and did an outstanding job.

Nosaj Thing vs. Epic FX

Possibly my favorite – Kyle Young of okayfuture.com proclaimed “…ultimately Nosaj Thing who put together one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen done with lasers. Which is to say anything cool with lasers.” We’ll take that as a compliment, Kyle.

Last but not least, our favorite Seattle radio station, KEXP brought out Philip Larose to review “… to find Nosaj Thing in full swing, with both the music and laser show having reached epic heights. It was a study in contrasts: just as he was in shadow between the bright video screen and lasers washing over the crowd…” KEXP also posted some great photos with the caption “Everyone loves lasers”. Apparently not everyone, Philip, but thanks for the positivity. Do you think we can get high-res versions of those photos?

So, are people just used to really bad laser shows? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

It’s official.