Hippotizer Drives Visual Storytelling

The Momentum Global Development Finance Conference delivered a visually immersive experience, powered by real-time playback, compositing, and mapping across a complex multi-surface stage.

At the heart of the video system were Hippotizer Media Servers from Green Hippo, an ACT Entertainment brand.

The full AVL production, delivered by HiLights Group in collaboration with La Gloire, transformed the King Abdulaziz Conference Center into a cohesive creative environment, blending lighting, video, and stage design into a unified visual language.

HiLights Group deployed Hippotizer Boreal MK2+ and Karst+ Media Servers. "We designed the system around Hippotizer for flexibility and resilience," said Ahmed Mohsen, Head of Video at HiLights Group. "It supported high-resolution outputs, dynamic transitions, and seamless synchronization across all visual and lighting elements. Hippotizer gave us maximum reliability without compromising creativity, and the confidence to execute complex sequences while remaining adaptable to changes during the show."

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the production required a tightly integrated approach, with video and lighting working in concert to support storytelling and respond dynamically throughout the conference.

The visual content combined high-resolution graphics, layered compositions, and motion-driven elements that interacted seamlessly with the stage environment. The set acted as a flexible canvas, with clean architectural lines and mapped surfaces allowing content to evolve across different segments.

Configured with synchronized timelines and redundancy systems, the Hippotizer platform ensured uninterrupted playback throughout the live event. "Its ability to handle real-time compositing and multi-output mapping allowed us to maintain both precision and flexibility in a fast-paced environment," added Mohsen.

A key strength of the deployment was its integrated workflow, enabling seamless communication between video, lighting, and show control systems. Using Hippotizer’s Pin Bridge tool, operators controlled video parameters directly from the lighting console, ensuring tight synchronisation while enhancing creative responsiveness.

"MIDI control further enhanced real-time interaction, giving us a tactile interface for triggering clips, adjusting layers, and manipulating effects during rehearsals and live operation," said Mohsen. "The Timeline tool structured the show, aligning visual sequences with timecode and key moments, while still allowing manual overrides when needed."

The Mix Preset feature streamlined operation by enabling rapid recall of complex visual states, reducing programming time and simplifying transitions. Meanwhile, Hippotizer's ZooKeeper network solution allowed multiple servers to function as a unified system, supporting synchronized playback, shared content, and centralised control across all outputs.

"This was critical for maintaining consistency across large-format LED displays and mapped scenic elements," Mohsen noted.

Redundancy planning further ensured system stability and minimised risk during live operation. "The biggest challenge in live production is adapting to last-minute changes. Hippotizer allowed us to make adjustments seamlessly, without impacting performance," he added.

HiLights Group delivered a comprehensive solution, covering design, pre-visualisation, technical planning, and on-site execution. Close collaboration across teams ensured smooth integration of all AVL elements, from concept through to live delivery.

The result was a series of standout visual moments, including high-impact opening sequences and cinematic transitions where lighting and video worked together to shift mood and energy. Large-scale mapped content added depth and perspective, while minimal scenes provided contrast and clarity, creating a fully immersive experience for attendees.

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