Stimulated, Inc.

Stimulated recently contributed to HOPE FOR HAITI NOW, a global media event viewed by more than 83 million viewers in the US alone. Inspired performances were turned in by a list of chart-topping artists that included Coldplay, Sting, Beyonce, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Dave Matthews, Wyclef Jean and Rihanna. The event raised over $60 million dollars for Haiti Earthquake relief. Stimulated’s creative and technical teams worked around the clock creating visual content for 21 performances on three continents. Stimulated’s Robb Wagner collaborated with Producers and performing artists in Los Angeles, New York and London, while the Stimulated production team worked tirelessly to refine content up to the last minute before the global telecast.

“The slickest parts of ‘This Is It’ are the filmed sequences that were intended to be part of the stage show…”
— MSNBC

“Director Kenny Ortega’s ultimate vision for the show is fleshed out further with glimpses of interstitial video—the intro into ‘Smooth Criminal,’ which splices a fedora’d Jackson onto vintage footage of Rita Hayworth and Edward G. Robinson, is particularly inspired…”
— Variety

“…it looks like it would’ve been a helluva show, complete with eco-consciousness-raising, an onstage bulldozer and 3-D ‘Thriller’ footage, newly created to dazzle audiences…”
— Chicago Tribune

There’s been much talk and praise surrounding the Sony film title, “Michael Jackson’s This Is It”, as it gives audiences a glimpse of the Michael Jackson tour that never was. The film also provides audiences a look at the only completed portion of Michael Jackson’s creative vision for the tour, a series of short films and visual effects segments produced by acclaimed media creator and founder of Stimulated, Inc., Robb Wagner.

In the days following the untimely death of Michael Jackson, rumors swirled about a clandestine film operation headed by Michael Jackson known as “The Dome Project.” The Dome Project was a working title coined by Wagner for a series of short films and visual effects segments intended to be part of Jackson’s “This Is It” concert tour. The tour was to commence with a 50-show run at London’s O2 Dome, which led Wagner to come up with the title.

Stimulated, Inc., Wagner’s Burbank, CA media production company, was handpicked by Kenny Ortega, AEG and Jackson to produce the film and video elements for the tour. Wagner was appointed as Producer of The Dome Project, with Jackson and Ortega serving as Executive Producers.

“Our first face-to-face meeting lasted eleven hours,” said Wagner. “We watched DVDs of MJ’s past work and Kenny was quick to point out that our current work would need to tribute MJ’s legacy as a pioneering video artist. Kenny and MJ considered each other ‘co-directors’, and together they described Michael’s vision for the concerts. Face to face meetings were an integral function of the production. If MJ came up with a new idea, Kenny would tell me ‘he wants to see you’. I would go into wherever MJ was at the time to hear his idea in person. This comeback was MJ’s dream , , and his passion was contagious. Those meetings inspired me, and I wanted to help Michael see his dream come true.”

The Dome Project production faced unique challenges due to the relationship of the films and videos to the live concerts. Everything that was planned for the films had to blend in seamlessly with the live shows. Key creative decisions had to be made with the concerts in mind. Wagner is a specialist in creating visual media and bringing it together with larger than life performances. As Producer of The Dome Project, Wagner knew he faced an even bigger challenge. “The project was extremely complicated, but my most important responsibility was to make sure everything we produced was true to Michael Jackson’s vision. He had expectations, and he made them clear.”

Wagner called on veteran Visual Effects Supervisor Bruce Jones to direct. Of the planned 25 song set list for the show, 16 songs were to have a film or video element. “Thriller”, “Earth Song” and “Smooth Criminal”, were each to have highly developed short films produced for use in conjunction with the live performances. Two of those three were to be produced in stereographic 3D, a groundbreaking effort.

The films were to be presented on a 90 foot by 30 foot LED screen directly behind the concert stage. The screen was innovative, and would have been the first of its kind, treating concert audiences to a 3D experience.

Wagner explains the creative concept for how the films were to work in the concerts: “MJ’s plan for the shows was to present short films in 3D. The audience would be cued to put on 3D glasses. Then, at a certain point in each film, live action would unfold on the stage. All of the characters in the film, even the props, would leave the screen and emerge onstage. The story in the film would continue as a theatrical concert performance. MJ called that the ‘4th’ dimension.”

Decoy song titles were adopted to preserve the secrecy of the production. On paperwork and in conversation, “Thriller” was referred to as “Graveyard”, “Earth Song” became “Nature”, and “Smooth Criminal” was known as “Crime Scene”.

The secretive production overtook three entire stages at Culver Studios, where Jackson had previously filmed many of his earlier videos, including the original “Smooth Criminal”. On the morning of June 1, 2009, eight days of “marathon” filming began on the three sound stages. Michael Jackson attended the filming, keeping a watchful eye on the details. Jackson also starred in one of the films.

The production wrapped in the wee hours of June 11, 2009. During the post-production phase of The Dome Project, the live concert team, including Wagner, moved into The Staples Center for two weeks of full-scale rehearsals prior to the planned relocation to London. It was during that time that tragedy struck, and the entire production came to a sudden and unforeseeable halt.

In the weeks following the death of Michael Jackson plans were laid for tribute concerts and television specials, none of which came to fruition. Wagner helped put Jackson’s globally televised memorial service together, working with Ortega who remained committed to finish the work that had been started.

Then, Sony Pictures Co-Chairman Amy Pascal called Kenny Ortega and told him that Sony wanted to let him tell the story of the planned concert tour in a film release. Ortega set out on his mission still feeling strongly that the Dome Project should be completed. Sony recruited Wagner and the Stimulated team to complete its assignment and finish the work that Michael Jackson had started.

Moviegoers have now been treated to excerpts and behind the scenes footage from The Dome Project thanks to ‘This Is It.’ How fans will be able to view the state of the art films in their entirety is still unknown. “This work was intended to be part of one of the most exciting entertainment events possible, a Michael Jackson concert,” said Wagner. “The fans deserve their chance to appreciate The Dome Project, and I have no doubt that time will come.”

(Burbank, CA) – Recognized and respected for its creativity, innovation and reliability, Stimulated was handpicked for “Michael Jackson’s, This Is It” concert tour in 2009. Robb Wagner worked closely with Jackson and his Co-Director, Kenny Ortega, helping Jackson realize his dream for the tour. Jackson’s vision included state-of-the-art short films and visual effects sequences, which Stimulated produced in the months prior to Jackson’s untimely passing. Much of the work Stimulated produced with Jackson is featured in “Michael Jackson’s This Is It”.

Stimulated recently completed work on its second consecutive “MTV Movie Awards”. Robb Wagner collaborated with show producers and artists including Eminem, on ideas to make the performances unforgettable. Wagner’s ability to work in tandem with talent, earn their respect, and quench their thirst for originality, is the unique, unmatched contribution he brings to every production.
“Robb, Please pass onto your team how impressed I was with this year’s show. You guys put so much work in and your artists are so talented. I honestly love your work. -M”
Executive Producer, Mark Burnett

"Celluloid Landscape" screen look frames, 2009 MTV Movie Awards

(Los Angeles, CA) – Stimulated recently completed work on “VH1 Storytellers, Kanye West.” Stimulated designed and animated the material that played in the 120-foot wide video ribbon that surrounded the Storytellers stage. During the original design and conception stage of the animation work, Stimulated worked out of its studio in Burbank. Days before show night, Stimulated relocated its design, animation and editing operation to Sony Studios in Culver City, for the taping. Stimulated deployed its remote unit to house the facilities and creative staff. The 32-foot, custom production trailer served a dual role, as a screens control room and as a remote design, animation and editing facility. Stimulated is known as the company that can take an artist’s creative vision and execute it anywhere in the world. The ability to be on-site at the venue enhances the creative process for the talent and facilitates any last minute changes.

(Leeds, UK) – In their latest collaboration the Pussycat Dolls and Stimulated brought to fruition the creative vision for the opening video sequence on the Doll Domination world tour. The kick off took place in November at a sound stage in Hollywood where the Dolls first shot live-action green screen segments. Stimulated then spent the next two months working at its Burbank studio producing the visual content for the tour. The versatile Stimulated team traveled with the tour from Burbank to Leeds UK. Once in Leeds, polishing work began and was completed during production rehearsals. The final culmination included a one-minute opening fantasy film in which the Dolls, in full Pussycat Dolls glamour, visit various locales all around the world. Through visual effects sequences created by Stimulated, the Dolls appeared to be at famous world landmarks and bedazzled each one as they rode past on their motorcycles. Additionally, Stimulated created original video looks for 25 songs, through a mix of picture editing, 2D & 3D design and animation. Stimulated first worked with the Pussycat Dolls on their “Buttons” performance at the 2006 American Music Awards and further impressed the Dolls when working on “When I Grow Up”, at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards.

Frames from Pussycat Dolls, Opening Fantasy Film

Pussycat Dolls perform "Buttons", Glasgow, Scotland 2009

Pussycat Dolls perform "Elevator", Glasgow, Scotland 2009

(Los Angeles, CA) – Stimulated continues to impress at major broadcast events, with their advanced and evolving production techniques and inspired content. The company recently introduced a custom production trailer to add to its ever-growing list of innovative production tools. This sleek, mobile 8’ x 32’ workspace serves as Stimulated screens control room. The trailer was debuted at the “60th Prime-time Emmy Awards”. Stimulated’s talented team of designers created original content for the award show. Stimulated’s screens control room included a 30-layer HD Spyder video processor. Robb Wagner acted as Screens Producer and Director, leading the team to another flawless performance.

Stimulated's Screens Control Room, "60th Primetime Emmy Awards"

(Hollywood, CA) – Stimulated is a one-stop-shop for visual content and technology. ABC’s “Duel”, NBC’s “1 VS 100” and FOX’s “Moment of Truth” have all employed Stimulated’s multi-format screen switching system to achieve the ultimate in visual quality enhanced by a superb level of versatility and reliability. A perfect fit for this genre of production, the Stimulated hardware/software package is able to simultaneously input and output a mix of native formats. These native formats include HD/SDI, SDI, DVI, VGA, even PAL HD, all connectable without external hardware or conversion. The system internally mixes, keys, switches and outputs simultaneous signals to numerous screens, with simultaneous manual and automatic triggering control. The hardware and software compliments Stimulated’s expertise in outstanding content creation, making it distinctive in its superior capability and adaptability.

LED Curve Wall, FOX Game Show "Moment of Truth"

LED Mob Wall, NBC's "1 vs 100"

(Burbank, CA) Stimulated Founder Robb Wagner recently worked alongside Director, Bruce Hendricks on Disney’s “Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds” 3D concert film. Hendricks wanted to capture the action as it happened and called on Wagner’s experience in live television and music to help shoot the live concert performances in 3D. The challenge was to shoot a concert film like a live television show, but still maintain a theatrical level production value. Wagner prepped with Hendricks at production rehearsals in Burbank, CA, on a Disney Studios soundstage. When the tour opened, Wagner traveled with Hendricks and company, from city to city, making notes while creating a plan to capture the magic of the concert live and in 3D. Principal photography was scheduled to take place on the Salt Lake City leg of the tour. The stakes were high, as any future re-shoots or pick-ups would be costly and difficult to plan around the already sold-out concert tour. During filming Wagner worked with Hendricks, cueing 3D cameras into position, and capturing the live action as it happened. Wagner’s attention to detail played a role in the shots being delivered to Hendricks, live and in Salt Lake City, with no further production required.

Page from Robb Wagner's live production script, "Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds" 3D Concert Film

(New York, NY) – “Live Earth: The Concerts For A Climate In Crisis”, presented by Kevin Wall and Al Gore, brought together more than 100 music artists and 2 billion people demanding an end to the climate crisis. Stimulated, with their advanced technical capabilities, was an integral part of this production. Working with Producer, Alex Coletti, Stimulated organized and edited global content shared by Live Earth producers in New Jersey, London, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney and Hamburg, preparing a wealth of imagery that could be instantaneously available for playback. Robb Wagner deployed Stimulated’s screen switching system to feed images to screens which displayed IMAG, graphics and text messaging. “We were able to take in, mix and output multiple formats simultaneously” Wagner points out, “so we could select the most advantageous format for each source and destination. We were able to plan and execute a simultaneous SD and HD show instead of conforming to a common format as we have had to do in the past. That ability streamlined the process.” Stimulated provided a 16-layer HD/SDI 8-output Spyder to feed the screens at Giants Stadium. Stimulated also provided six Apple design and edit workstations used to create content on site. Adobe After Effects and Apple’s Final Cut Pro were used for editing, mixing and compositing SD and HD video elements. During the live show, Stimulated managed feeds from 12 HD cameras, along with world feeds and 6 channels of HD EVS. “We were able to put on a great looking event and handle the changes as they came up. Everyone was very impressed by the performance of our system.”

"Live Earth" Stage, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ