Watching music videos as a child, I developed an early fascination with the
representation of music on screen. My first live concert (Iron Maiden), including
impressively artistic backdrops, flipped a switch in my mind and sewed the seeds
for my future career.
The Cure tour in 1992 afforded me my first shot at vision-mixing and directing,
closely followed by Paul McCartney. Rad start! As a live multi-camera director, I’ve
loved every moment of this multi-faceted process that requires an understanding of
technology, sharp communication skills to ensure seamless teamwork with crew
and the band, and resilience to manage the demands of international touring.
Immersed for over 25 years in this fascinating world, my speciality is multi-camera
and media directing: often projecting multiple and complex imagery on diverse
screens. It’s bonkers fun and I’m a roadie at heart, regularly touring with legendary
bands, such as the mighty Pearl Jam. Touring keeps me firing on all cylinders, which
then feeds into my film projects.
Inspired by my live-action multi-cam directing, I am regularly commissioned to
develop other formats for recording live musical performance. This includes TV/
DVD, Longform, Theatrical and Streaming, generating art and media for playback
and a ‘cameras as content’ approach. This diversity of formats is a treat and each
offers a unique creative challenge. Experimenting with optical and digital effects
for bands, such as Depeche Mode, REM, Peter Gabriel and Snow Patrol allows me
to innovate creatively, whilst channelling a cinematic style for classic bands, such
as Pearl Jam, Eric Clapton and Sting is equally appealing.
I’m constantly analysing onstage behaviour, performance and dynamic. No two
bands are the same; each has its own unique DNA and it is my job to distil this
into visual imagery that enables every member of every audience to fully
appreciate an intimate experience with their band, even from the back of the
biggest stadium or on their sofa at home. Where practical, I direct and vision mix
from front-of-house, absorbing audience response directly onto the screen. This
intimacy and creativity are what I examine and photograph, edit and colour, direct,
produce and deliver. My constant is to create and deliver in pictures that which
these incredible artists create and provide onstage for us all. Thank you music,
bands, sound, lights, cameras, audiences.
Examination Productions is the home of Blue Leach and the base from which this
all starts.