MENS SUMMIT 2024
Explore the behind-the-scenes journey of creating the Men’s Summit conference, showcasing the planning, creativity, and execution that brought this event to life.
Research
Every great project starts with a bold idea.The main goal for this conference was to make it as immersive as we possible could. This years conference was the culmination of a three-year vision and we wanted to make it the best one yet. As the director, I collaborated closely with the Executive Men’s Pastor to bring his concept to life drawing inspiration from the energy and spectacle of the Dallas Stars' 2023 video game themed playoff content.
Disclaimer: This research is sourced from external materials and is not my original work.
Scope
My team and I focused on transforming four 30-minute pre-session blocks and 2 session openers into an unforgettable and immersive experience for every attendee.
With just two months from preproduction meetings to the start of the event, we had to move fast. The scope was massive—45 deliverables in total, with over half of them directly in my hands. It felt like a sprint from day one, balancing creativity, strategy, and execution to bring everything together in time. Each deliverable was a crucial piece of the story.
Session 1
Session 1
Session 2
Session 2
Session 3
Session 3
Session 4
Session 4
Results
The results were worth every effort. After countless hours of planning, meetings, late nights, and last-minute adjustments, the conference was finally ready to launch. I created over 25 custom animations and oversaw my team as they produced more than 40 unique graphics and 5 immersive surround sound pieces. Together, we delivered 4 thirty minute pre-sessions and 2 dynamic openers, packed with engaging, immersive, high-impact content..
Here’s how it all came together.
Pre-Session 1This first pre-session was crucial in setting the tone for the entire conference, making it essential to get everything just right. In the two videos below, you’ll see the heart of what was created for this session. Additionally, I collaborated closely with the Live Production team to coordinate timing for lights, select the appropriate lights, and ensure the surround sound was perfectly calibrated.
This video may show occasional dropped frames in the Live Feed due to the system being pushed beyond its typical capacity during the conference. All other content is fully synced with the audio and timed as intended.
Session 1 OpenerExpectations were set, and it was time to maintain momentum. Pre-session 1 transitioned seamlessly into the Session 1 Opener, combining technical precision with creative excellence. The segment began with a preplanned and rehearsed announcer-style video incorporating live production shots and premade content. This was followed by an animated glitch reel designed to elevate the energy further.
The final piece was a creative highlight, meticulously timed to the worship team’s Ableton session. The intent was to transition control from live production to the worship team, allowing them to lead worship organically while ensuring the auditorium was already engaged in singing before anyone stepped on stage. This seamless collaboration exemplified technical expertise and creative synergy, delivering a flawless experience.
This video may show occasional dropped frames in the Live Feed due to the system being pushed beyond its typical capacity during the conference. All other content is fully synced with the audio and timed as intended.
Pre-Session 2This pre-session, scheduled for 8:30 a.m., was intentionally designed with a more relaxed tone to ease into the day, gradually building energy toward the evening’s Session 4. The focus for this segment leaned into the retro gaming aesthetic while maintaining alignment with the overall brand.
This video may show occasional dropped frames in the Live Feed due to the system being pushed beyond its typical capacity during the conference. All other content is fully synced with the audio and timed as intended.
Pre-Session 3This pre-session was crafted to build upon the momentum of Pre-Session 2 while paving the way for the final session. The design combined elements of retro and modern video game aesthetics, carefully balanced to remain consistent with the overall brand identity.
This video may show occasional dropped frames in the Live Feed due to the system being pushed beyond its typical capacity during the conference. All other content is fully synced with the audio and timed as intended.
Pre-Session 4It all came down to this, the final pre-session… designed to build excitement and bring everything together. For this session, we added light-up wristbands to create a fully immersive and interactive experience. I worked closely with the Live Production team to finalize all the videos, lighting, and visuals. Separately, I collaborated with the wristband vendors to ensure their programming was perfectly synced to our music, visuals, and sound effects. This required detailed planning and coordination, and it was one of the first elements we locked in. In the end, it stood out as one of the most memorable features of the entire conference.
This video may show occasional dropped frames in the Live Feed due to the system being pushed beyond its typical capacity during the conference. All other content is fully synced with the audio and timed as intended.
Session 4 OpenerThe stage had been set, and this opener brought everything together perfectly. I managed this project ensuring its successful completion, and the result was phenomenal! Alongside the many challenges we faced during this conference, we were tasked with creating a recap-style opener filmed, edited, and finalized in less than 18 hours after the conference began to play at the start of session 4.
Credit: Michael Kelly
Men's Summit 2024 RecapWhile managing every other element of this conference and ensuring everything stayed on track, I also oversaw my team as they tackled the conference recap. Needless to say, they absolutely crushed it. I was incredibly proud of how they took my direction and transformed it into something truly remarkable.
Credits: Joseph Jackson & John Rivera
Takeaway
Looking back on this project, it’s clear that the challenges we faced pushed the limits of creativity, teamwork, and technical execution and the results were worth every effort. From conceptualizing the overarching vision to managing countless moving parts, this conference was a true test of leadership and collaboration. It required a balance of technical precision, creative innovation, and logistical coordination, all executed under tight deadlines and high expectations.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was how vital preparation and adaptability were to the project’s success. Whether working closely with Live Production to synchronize visuals and sound or collaborating with outside vendors to ensure everything came together seamlessly, this project was a masterclass in planning and problem-solving.
What stands out most is the impact of our work. Seeing how the audience engaged with every element we created. From the immersive pre-sessions to the synchronized wristbands it was a reminder of why I love what I do. This project wasn’t just about producing content; it was about creating a memorable experience that resonated with every person in the room. It’s projects like these that fuel my passion for storytelling and
push me to take creativity to the next level.