The Tony Award-winning Alley Theatre has integrated Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve Studio and a suite of related tools into its production pipeline to deliver high-quality digital performances. This move allows the theatre to engage audiences remotely while maintaining the live experience.
Alley Theatre Expands Digital Offerings
Based in Houston, TX, the Alley Theatre is one of America’s leading nonprofit theatres, known for producing up to 16 plays each year with nearly 500 performances. During the pandemic, the theatre shifted its focus to digital programming, a necessity that led to the creation of an in-house video production department.
Director of Video Production Victoria B. Sagady explained, “Our goal was to bring the live experience to our patrons in the comfort of their homes. DaVinci Resolve Studio has been crucial for this process, from initial edits to final exports.”
Leveraging Blackmagic Design’s Suite of Tools
The theatre used DaVinci Resolve Studio’s multicam interface during post-production, allowing staff to choose camera angles effortlessly and make necessary adjustments. The Fairlight Desktop Console was essential for syncing audio with timecode and applying EQ to ensure sound quality matched live performances.
For visual effects and grading, the team utilized DaVinci Resolve’s Fusion page and Micro Panel. Additionally, the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K was used for shooting projects due to its ease of use and high-quality footage.
Hybrid Model and Future Plans
The Alley Theatre operated on a hybrid model during the 2021-2022 season, offering digital versions of live shows available for remote viewing shortly after performances. The theatre’s video team continues to produce content that enhances both digital and live experiences.
Sagady stated, “DaVinci Resolve Studio’s built-in functionality makes it easy to handle various projects. We make heavy use of its multi-camera editing feature, which has streamlined our workflow.”
The addition of other Blackmagic Design products like the SmartView 4K monitor and SmartView Duo panels further enhances the production process by providing color-accurate camera previews and supporting multicamera shoots.