Festival Season...

What makes a great supplier? Is it the kit they bring, the price they quote, or something far harder to define — like trust, instinct, and knowing they’ll deliver when the stakes are sky-high? Few people understand this better than Stephen Maddox, our Creative & Development Director at iMAG. Before joining us, Stephen spent years on the front lines of live events, managing and producing shows that filled arenas across the UK and US, from the dazzling stages of the West End to the electric energy of the O2 and Wembley Arena. In this blog, Stephen opens the curtain on what really goes into choosing the right suppliers. If you’ve ever wondered how professionals build teams that can turn a vision into reality, you’ll want to read on. While production managing and producing live events and shows across U.S. arenas and U.K. venues, from West End theatres to the O2 and Wembley Arena, a common question outsiders often asked me was: How do you choose your suppliers? In both cases, my starting point was simple: I used the suppliers the previous team had worked with. Why rock the boat when things are sailing smoothly? But inevitably, situations arose—on both sides of the Atlantic—where alternative suppliers had to be sourced. Sometimes it was due to availability. Other times, a long-standing supplier had let the team down once too often. And then there were moments when budget constraints meant dusting off the age-old “three quotes” process (and let’s spare a thought for the poor third-quoter, who was never really in the running). So, how did I go about finding and choosing new suppliers? Ask Those in the Know I turned to respected production managers and producers. We’re all in the same game, and we all know that recommendations carry weight. I’d usually ask for a few options, not just their go-to supplier, but also others they trusted. Their referrals were a starting point, a direction to head in.

iMAG is proud to be a Patron of the British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), supporting the cinematography community and pushing creative boundaries with LED and virtual production solutions.

When it comes to virtual production, speed and efficiency are often what get noticed. But what’s really happening behind the scenes? In this thoughtful reflection, Stephen Maddox, iMAG’s Creative & Development Director and an award-winning writer, director, and producer, shares a real-world moment that revealed just how nuanced virtual production workflows can be. From studio resets to spontaneous creativity, Stephen takes us inside the practical and philosophical lessons learned on set, reminding us that in this fast-moving space, innovation is essential, but collaboration is everything. On a recent project, the director asked how long it would take us to change between scenes while filming. Some of the crew looked a bit puzzled. The director then explained that, on a previous shoot in a purpose-built studio, they had to wait 20 to 30 minutes between scene changes. The entire content system had to be shut down, reloaded, and tested before moving on. Everyone at the brain bar smiled. In our case, it would take around 20 to 30 seconds. Of course, we could have sat there feeling smug, but the reality is more nuanced. On reflection, the key difference was that we were using pre-recorded plates for travel simulation, while they were most likely working in real-time Unreal Engine environments, which typically take longer to reset. We’re not about to call that team, in another country, to ask why their process was slower. But the moment did spark a few useful reflections: Assume the Best. It’s easy to believe we know better, but in most situations—once we understand the full context—there’s usually a valid reason behind how something is done.

Delivering Visual Impact for Snap Inc.’s Flagship Event at Soho Farmhouse.

Discover how Graymatter Video brought science to life at the British Science Festival with The Compass—a fully immersive, 360-degree projection-mapped installation.

Discover how iMAG delivered a stunning curved LED wall for Hillsong’s Colour Conference at London’s O2 Arena, creating an immersive, 135sqm visual experience in just five hours.

Discover how Graymatter Video worked with Novak to transform Bolton Town Hall with YARN — a breathtaking, large-scale projection mapping and audio experience celebrating Bolton’s industrial heritage, cultural identity, and creative future.

Experience how iMAG helped transform AVOIR’s Selfridges Corner Shop pop-up for On into an unforgettable immersive brand moment, blending bold visuals, interactive design, and cutting-edge media to captivate visitors on Oxford Street.

Discover how iMAG transformed Bournemouth 7s Festival with an immersive LED screen setup, delivering flawless live video and control across the entire event site.