Fremont Street Experience
Show Control Systems
Immersive • Real-Time Sync • Large-Scale LED Operations
When Fremont Street Experience transitioned to Pandoras Box in 2013, I led the design and programming of a new show control system supporting the Viva Vision canopy and surrounding stages. Drawing on years of experience with the venue’s technical environment, I built a flexible, operator-friendly ecosystem that improved reliability, introduced real-time automation, and expanded what was creatively possible across the 1,500-foot LED display.
System Architecture
The control ecosystem included:
-
1 system manager and 1 backup system manager
-
5 canopy media servers
-
3 stage media servers
-
2 touchscreen control PCs
I designed the layouts, logic, and workflow behind this environment—ensuring the system remained powerful enough for complex events yet simple for operators to manage daily.
Core Contributions
Show Control Programming
Developed an intuitive, Pandoras Box–based control system with custom widgets, automation logic, and real-time event tools.
Operator Experience Design
Created custom widgets, UI layouts, and scheduling workflows that streamlined daily operations and reduced touchpoints for operators.
System Optimization
Refined deployment, testing, and content management processes to support long-term reliability and rapid updates.
Key Features
Instagram Wall for Viva Vision
Built the world’s largest Instagram wall, designed specifically for the extreme size of the Viva Vision canopy. Operators could filter audience submissions and instantly publish approved content.
Stage Control & Multi-Server Sync
Developed controls linking stage media servers with the canopy system, enabling coordinated visuals across three stages.
Used for events like the Golden Knights goal-score spectacular, where operators updated scores in real time and triggered synced visuals street-wide.
SlotZilla Zipline Trigger Integration
Programmed the trigger system that launched synced visuals when riders departed from the SlotZilla tower. Media played down the canopy in a timed sequence that mirrored rider movement.
Technical Summary
-
Pandoras Box programming & interface design
-
Custom widgets for automation and operator control
-
Multi-server sync (canopy + stages)
-
Real-time event logic & signal integration
-
Show scheduling and deployment workflows
-
LED resolution mapping & QC
-
Long-term refinement and operational support
Credits & Tools
Role: Lead Show Control Programmer & Media Systems Designer
Contributions:
-
Designed and maintained the overall show control system architecture
-
Programmed automation logic for scheduled, triggered, and event-based playback
-
Developed custom operator UI/UX tools for live event control and rapid content changes
-
Implemented multi-server synchronization across the Fremont Street LED canopy
-
Built modular playback tools supporting concerts, seasonal events, and special programming
-
Provided ongoing system refinement, troubleshooting, and long-term support
Tools:
-
Pandoras Box
-
Widget Designer
-
Photoshop
Scope: Multi-year development, deployment, and refinement of the Fremont Street Experience show control ecosystem