Community spotlight: Danny Purdue

Danny Purdue has spent two decades shaping the visual experiences of live concerts and events around the world. As a freelance Screens Producer and Programmer based in the United States, Danny’s journey has been one of passion, evolution, and creativity. From the foundational stages of production to programming cutting-edge systems, his expertise lies in transforming creative ideas into technical realities.

Finding Inspiration: A Blend of Passion and Mentorship

Danny’s journey into live events started with an early love for video and photography. “I developed an interest at a young age, making music videos with my friends, which turned into a serious pursuit of those skills,” he shares.

At Purdue University, Danny crossed paths with Bill Callison, a seasoned video director who believed in hands-on, experiential learning. “He put gear in our hands and assigned real-world production tasks,” Danny recalls. That experience ignited his passion for video production in the dynamic world of live music, setting the course for his future.

The Journey to Screens Producer

After several years touring as a camera operator, Danny’s career took a pivotal turn in 2012 when he became the video director for Swedish House Mafia’s One Last Tour. “The show was heavy on visuals, which pushed us to deploy servers for live IMAG effects,” he explains. That experience sparked his interest in media server programming, and Danny began working as a VJ, honing his skills in content workflows and visual sequencing.

Danny’s introduction to Disguise came in 2017 during John Mayer’s Search for Everything tour with Screenworks NEP. “I immediately felt comfortable with the timeline-based interface and loved the Notch integration for real-time graphics,” he says. Over time, he expanded his skills through collaboration, self-learning, and courses like Disguise’s Virtual Production Accelerator, enabling him to seamlessly connect creative producers, content teams, and production vendors.

“I enjoy taking creative visions and building the technical frameworks to bring them to life,” he adds, reflecting on his growing role as a screen producer.

Highlight Projects: Creativity Meets Cutting-Edge Tech

Two recent projects highlight Danny’s mastery of Disguise systems and his ability to tackle complex creative challenges.

DEAD & COMPANY at SPHERE LAS VEGAS

For Dead & Company’s Dead Forever residency at Sphere Las Vegas in 2024, Danny led the programming and operation of a show that demanded precision and flexibility to match the band’s fluid, improvised music sets. Collaborating with Treatment Studio’s Sam Pattinson and Brandon Kraemer, co-programmers Andréanne Lafrance and Sean Green, and Notch Designer Brett Bolton, Danny helped build visuals that could expand and contract dynamically, aligning with the band’s pacing.

“Sphere’s unique technology pushed us to retool standard workflows,” Danny says. He highlights Disguise’s advanced tools, like timeline programming and multi-transport systems, which enabled adaptability and real-time control. “Every time we unlocked more performance overhead, new creative ideas emerged,” he adds.

CHILDISH GAMBINO: THE NEW WORLD TOUR

For Childish Gambino’s The New World Tour in 2024, Danny worked alongside Chad “Wolf” Taylor, Tobias Rylander, and Cory FitzGerald to deliver a production that redefined traditional video usage.

The stage centerpiece, a volumetric pixel array dubbed the “Light Binder,” required seamless integration of video content into a three-dimensional space. “We used Disguise GX3 for its NVIDIA GPU performance, Notch capabilities, and control flexibility,” Danny explains. Collaborating with Amish Dani (Frameworx), Brandon Epperson and GlowMotion, they used Disguise’s advanced mapping tools to drive color, shape, and movement across the array.

“It was an infinite playground,” Danny says. “By combining Disguise’s tools with custom solutions, we found new ways to tell visual stories.”

Proudest Moments and Industry Lessons

For Danny, opening nights hold a special place. “They’re the first chance to surprise an audience. After months of planning, there’s nothing like seeing it all come together,” he shares. However, he credits the human element—good leadership, supportive teams, and strong friendships—as the cornerstone of a successful career.

“Early on, my mentor Kibru Senbetta taught me that while technology changes, relationships are what hold this industry together,” Danny says.

Advice for the Next Generation

Danny’s advice to aspiring professionals is simple: “Show up on time, ask questions, and work hard. Technical skills are important, but reliability and a strong work ethic will take you further.”

Looking Ahead: Pushing Boundaries and Mentoring New Talent

As Danny looks to the future, he hopes to focus more on screen producing and programming, creating space for fresh talent to step into operational roles. “I’ve been fortunate to learn from great people, and I want to pay that forward,” he says.

He remains excited about innovations like immersive venues and volumetric LEDs, which are redefining the boundaries of in-person experiences. “These technologies open up new ways to surround audiences with pixels and tell visual stories like never before,” he concludes.