Houston, TX - Next Audio Visual Productions (NAVP), a Houston-based corporate and special event production company, brought the inaugural Snow Glow on the Bayou to life with a ten-day nightly water projection show on Buffalo Bayou in Downtown Houston. Produced by One Experiential and funded by the Downtown Houston Management District, the event utilized projection technology to transform a "living" screen of water into a display of light and color. 4Wall Entertainment provided the projectors that powered this production, supporting NAVP's vision and execution.

Projecting onto water presented unique challenges, including overcoming misty conditions and the constantly shifting surface of the water screen. To ensure a high-quality image, the team needed a projector with robust resolution, brightness, and lens versatility that was also portable and quick to power up.

After careful consideration, NAVP selected the Barco UDX-4K32 projectors for their unmatched performance capabilities. Two projectors were double-stacked to provide live backup and increased brightness, but the team discovered that a single Barco UDX-4K32 was sufficient to deliver a vibrant and clear image with stunning color accuracy. 

The projectors exceeded expectations, operating flawlessly throughout the event without a single issue.

"This was our first time projecting onto water, and the challenges were significant, from dealing with the moving screen to ensuring the projection system could operate seamlessly in less-than-ideal conditions," said NAVP Owner and the event's Technical Producer Tracy Punch. "The Barco projectors, paired with 4Wall's exceptional support, made it all possible."
The projectors were positioned on a concrete walkway overlooking the bayou, behind and uphill from the water screen nozzle at Allen's Landing Park. 

Utilizing the TDL+ 0.70-0.91 WQ/4KUHDD lens, the setup achieved the necessary short throw and lens shift capabilities to deliver the visuals.

4Wall's role went beyond just providing the equipment. NAVP projectionists were able to pre-test the entire system at 4Wall's Houston facility prior to the event. This pre-alignment on a stable surface minimized on-site adjustments and ensured the portable generator-powered system operated smoothly.

"4Wall's service was instrumental in the success of this project," added Punch. "Their team ensured we had everything we needed to meet the challenges of this unique production, and we're excited to bring water screen projection to future events."

With Snow Glow on the Bayou's success, NAVP has added a water screen nozzle to its inventory, signaling new opportunities for similar captivating productions in the future.

To check out more of NAVP's work, visit their website here.