Blackmagic PYXIS 6K cameras for filming Ball Park Music

The Australian music project The ACT used a camera Blackmagic PYXIS 6K and an ATEM Mini Extreme ISO mixer to create a hybrid experience that fuses the music and live performances of the band Ball Park Music.

When the indie rock band took the stage for the latest installment of The ACT, for fans it was more than just a concert: it was a comprehensive cinematic experience that seamlessly fused the excitement of a live performance with the production quality of a professional studio. The groundbreaking concert was captured and produced using cutting-edge equipment from Blackmagic Design and marked a pivotal moment for The ACT, an ambitious project that reimagines the live music experience and is the result of the work of filmmaker Bailey Watts and his creative team.

Thanks to the use of two cameras Blackmagic PYXIS 6K EF, two accessory games Blackmagic PYXIS Monitor EVF Kit and a ATEM Mini Extreme ISO mixer, The Act manages to combine technical excellence with a captivating narrative.

“This is a project that was born from passion,” he said. Bailey Watts, filmmaker and director of The ACT. "We didn't just want to record a concert; we wanted the audience and the artists to have an experience of a lifetime, something genuine, intimate and unforgettable."

At just 27 years old, Watts has spent most of his career behind the cameras at Blackmagic Design. He was 14 years old when he got his first Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K camera, a moment that would put him on a direct path into this industry and plant the seed that would eventually become the musical project The ACT.

The idea for The ACT was born in early 2024, during a jam session in a studio where Watts and Topic, The ACT's audio engineer and producer, met with a musician friend of theirs to make a live recording that inspired a big idea: Why not bring this kind of no-holds-barred, cinematic performance to a live audience?

Over time, that concept became The ACT, a hybrid musical program in which artists perform on a 360-degree stage, in unique facilities - such as a gin distillery - and which has an audience of only 400 people, who are invited to an extremely intimate event. No phones, no distractions; only the artist, the audience and the cameras.

Additionally, each performance is designed not only with the audience in mind, but also with the camera in mind. “We do more than just record an event,” Watts notes. "We design a visual and emotional experience, and to do that, we need equipment we can absolutely trust. That's why we used Blackmagic equipment for filming."

Cinematic look

The ACT's commitment to cinematic quality is reflected in his technical choices: the full frame sensor of the Blackmagic PYXIS 6K model, which has a wide dynamic range, allowed to export ultra-wide shots, while the camera's compact and adaptable design allowed it to be mounted on Ronin stabilizers (DJI), sliding platforms and tripods for creative flexibility.

“Everything from the full-frame sensor to the built-in monitoring tools to consistent colorimetry gave us a system that we could operate in the high-pressure live streaming space without having to think twice,” explains Watts.

Using the ATEM Mini Extreme ISO mixer, the team was able to switch between different angles without any difficulty, being able to access real-time edits and support artistic direction.

“Every movement of the camera is part of the story,” says Watts. “There is an intention behind every cut.” Color also played a crucial role in the aesthetics of the images. “We could use equipment from another brand, but the essence would be lost,” highlights Watts. “Blackmagic's colorimetry is unmatched.” "There are no rehearsals: if something fails, it fails live. But when everything goes well, it's something magical," he explains.

The ACT also promotes new talent through a parallel initiative featuring up-and-coming artists, who also receive 100% of the profits. The ACT is expanding, as indicated by its upcoming performances—including iconic hip-hop artists Bliss n Eso—and the growing international interest the project is receiving; However, it remains faithful to its creative origins.

"We are not looking to become another festival. We are creating a select and intentional musical space, and Blackmagic has been a key factor in making this idea a reality," concludes Watts.