Every year, Comic-Con draws hundreds of thousands of devoted fans from every fanbase—film, television, literature, and comics—to San Diego for an immersive, memorable experience. Known for cosplay competitions, artist showcases, meet-and-greets, and exclusive panels featuring world-renowned actors, authors, and directors, Comic-Con requires reliable, high-quality video coverage and displays to ensure every fan has a front-row experience.
Live event management company Show Imaging collaborated with Panasonic at Comic-Con 2025 to provide high-quality video coverage that engages every audience member at Comic-Con's panels.
The Immersive Fan Experience
Most panels operate on a first-come-first-serve basis, and at least one auditorium seats 6,000 people, many of whom elect to get in line early so as not to miss the popular presentations. Once seated, those who get in want to be immersed in every moment of the panel experience.
Show Imaging is responsible for ensuring each audience member can see and hear the panelists, including those seated farthest from the stage who rely on large screens for live close-ups. To meet those demands, Show Imaging worked with Panasonic to equip the room with three Panasonic AW-UE150 4K PTZ Cameras, one AK-UC4000 Studio Camera, and the KAIROS Live Video Production Platform. Designed for fast, intuitive setup, these solutions allowed Show Imaging’s team to capture dynamic panels in 4K without having to worry about technical complexity or system reliability.
Panasonic’s 4K PTZ and studio cameras captured close-ups of panelists and audience members during Q&As, with precise color correction and shading ensuring consistent, high-quality visuals throughout the venue. Beau Monaghan, director of IT and video at Show Imaging, recalls how instrumental Panasonic’s cameras were when Star Wars creator George Lucas made a surprise appearance—his first ever at Comic-Con—to promote the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Fans not only received the exclusive announcement of the museum but also experienced close-up video of the legendary filmmaker as he shared behind-the-scenes stories and insights about his work, making the panel an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime moment for attendees.
To extend that visual consistency across the venue, Show Imaging deployed 18 Panasonic PT-RQ35 Projectors to map content across a 250-foot linear projection screen. Panasonic’s interoperable ecosystem allowed the cameras and projectors to work seamlessly together, delivering accurate, vibrant visuals at scale with minimal adjustment. Using KAIROS, the production team could easily edit, overlay, and switch content across screens in real time.
Michael Dupaix, technology manager at Show Imaging, was initially drawn to KAIROS for its ability to handle ST 2110 signals directly, eliminating extra conversion steps and dramatically streamlining his workflow. “The integrated product line makes everything easier to manage,” said Dupaix. “At Comic-Con, it’s been a gamechanger. We can create any output we need with studio-specific logos and overlays, embed all the audio directly on the platform, and even route signals to and from backstage seamlessly.”
Leveraging Panasonic’s full production ecosystem, Show Imaging could focus on creative storytelling and dynamic visuals, a capability perfectly illustrated during the TRON: Ares panel. Featuring creator Steven Lisberger, director Joachim Rønning, and a star-studded cast, the panel dazzled the audience with a neon red laser light show and two warriors marching on stage. Panasonic’s PT-RQ35 Projector and PTZ cameras worked together to capture the red lasers and project them onto the LED screen to mirror the action live in the room. Fans were blown away by the spectacle, leaving them more excited for the October 2025 movie release.
Integrated Technology
Professional AV solutions are transforming what’s possible for live events, allowing production teams to deliver immersive experiences that truly captivate audiences from every seat. With precise imaging, seamless workflows, and the ability to coordinate complex content across multiple screens, these technologies let crews focus on creativity and storytelling, turning large-scale events like Comic-Con into unforgettable, visually stunning experiences that leave fans inspired and engaged.
As live production technology continues to evolve, Dupaix said he is looking forward to finding new ways to make Comic-Con panels more accessible. Ongoing developments in AI-powered live captioning are one example of how the Show Imaging team plans to continue innovating and creating memorable, positive experiences for every fan.