Emma and Max
Video & Projection Design for Theatre
In Emma and Max, noted independent filmmaker Todd Solondz turns his hand to the stage and his critical eye on New Yorkers, exploring the illusions and delusions and hopes and despair of the city’s well-off and worn down. In his typical fashion, Solondz spares no one and skewers everyone in a play about privilege, race and the intersection of black and white.
The video design featured a series of stagewide cinematic and scenic mapped projections that include a computer desktop, a lush resort, and an overwhelming, nightmarish, and surrealistic ocean.
Production History
The Flea | New York, NY | 2018
Creative Team
Written and directed by Todd Solondz
Scenic and Properties Design: Julia Noulin-Merat
Lighting Design: Becky Heisler McCarthy
Costume Design: Andrea Lauer
Sound Design: Fabian Obispo
Video and Projection Design: Adam J. Thompson
Video & Projection Team
Video and Projection Design: Adam J. Thompson
Assistant Video and Projection Design: Jess Medenbach
Photos: Joan Marcus
Press
“…a specifically theatrical vision with admirable success. There’s not a misstep in the staging, from the queasy-making projections of swirling water (by Adam J. Thompson) to the uncompromising and unflattering lighting... ‘Emma and Max’ is always fascinating to look at, even if it’s in a masochistic way.” - New York Times
“The captivating video designer Adam J. Thompson knocks it out of the ballpark with his compelling designs.” - TheaterScene
“Adam J. Thompson's video, including scenes of Emma and Max playing with their new au pair and shots of Caribbean skies, palm trees, and pools, makes a big contribution.” - Lighting and Sound America
“The two adorable kids make numerous appearances in the most perfect and telling manner, courtesy of the fine work by…video designer Adam J. Thompson exemplifying all we need to know about these two young children and their world of wealthy entitlement and parental engagement.” - Front Mezz Junkies
“…with the help of an inventive design team, Solondz creates a stagecraft that you might have called cinematic even if you didn’t know his background. Emma and Max and the new nanny, for example, exist only as silent video images, one of many stage-wide projections.” - New York Theater