Groove Jones joined forces with Cure for Paranoia, one of Dallas’s most dynamic and genre-defying music collectives, to create a groundbreaking immersive music video for Apple Vision Pro. This project pushed the boundaries of both filmmaking and music storytelling by capturing the band’s raw energy through the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive camera, a state-of-the-art tool designed specifically for stereoscopic and spatial video. The result is not simply a performance to watch but an experience to step into, where audiences are transported into the heart of the music and surrounded by its atmosphere.
The collaboration represents a bold experiment at the intersection of art, music, and technology. By combining Cure for Paranoia’s unapologetic artistry with Groove Jones’ expertise in immersive production, the team set out to explore what the future of music videos could become. With Apple Vision Pro as the destination platform, the project speaks directly to the possibilities of spatial storytelling, offering fans the chance to share the moment shoulder-to-shoulder with the band in a way that feels personal, immediate, and transformative.
About Cure For Paranoia
Cure For Paranoia is a Dallas-based alt-hip hop and experimental collective known for their fearless blend of genres and candid exploration of mental health and identity. The band has established a reputation for delivering electrifying performances and thought-provoking lyrics that push the boundaries of contemporary music.
No Brainer is a track that embodies their ethos: bold, unapologetic, and raw. It balances lyrical vulnerability with an energetic, rhythm-driven soundscape. The song’s narrative revolves around embracing risk and daring to stand out — a message that resonates strongly with both the band’s fans and their own journey through the music industry.
The Tech: URSA Cine Immersive
The URSA Cine Immersive by Blackmagic Design represents a significant leap forward in cinematic storytelling:
- Dual 8K sensors (8160 × 7200 per eye) capture stereoscopic 3D visuals with breathtaking clarity.
- An 180° field of view immerses viewers in every direction, replicating a sense of physical presence.
- 16 stops of dynamic range allow the camera to retain detail in both shadow and highlight extremes.
- 90 fps immersive mode provides smooth playback even in fast-moving performance sequences.
- 8TB removable media module ensures efficient capture and secure storage of immense file sizes.
Unlike traditional cameras, the URSA Cine Immersive is designed specifically for immersive platforms, making it ideal for VR headsets and stereoscopic playback. GrooveJones, as one of the early adopters, had the unique opportunity to test this groundbreaking technology in a real-world, performance-driven environment. Learn more about the camera here – https://www.groovejones.com/blackmagic-ursa-cine-immersive-camera-system-for-vision-pro-content-productions
The Shoot: Venues & Aesthetic Choices
To fully capture the spirit of No Brainer, the production spanned two unique Dallas venues:
The Kessler (Dallas) — An iconic music venue that provided the perfect setting to stress-test the URSA’s low-light capabilities. Live stage lighting, moody atmospheres, and the authentic energy of a performance environment gave the footage a raw, authentic texture.
Gallery DeFi (Downtown Dallas) — A 16,000 sq. ft. immersive art space filled with installations, murals, and mixed-media works from over 40 artists. The gallery’s vibrant visuals complemented the band’s eclectic style, creating layered backdrops that seamlessly aligned with their experimental sound.
The dual-location approach balanced intimacy and spectacle. At The Kessler, audiences will feel like they’re part of a private show. At Gallery DeFi, the band is surrounded by surreal visuals, enhancing the immersive narrative and reflecting their bold aesthetic choices.
Challenges & Insights
Bringing this vision to life required tackling a set of unique creative and technical challenges:
- Lighting: Live shows often feature dramatic lighting shifts. The team needed to preserve detail without overexposing highlights or losing shadow depth. The URSA’s dynamic range excelled in this demanding environment.
- Framing for 180°: Unlike traditional cinematography, where the frame is tightly controlled, the 180° stereoscopic lens captures everything. Every corner of the space becomes part of the narrative, demanding careful stage and set design.
- Data Management: Capturing at dual 8K resolution with stereoscopic depth produced massive data sets. The crew had to adapt workflows to handle storage, transfer, and post-production without slowing down the creative process.
- Post-Production: Editing stereoscopic immersive footage involves aligning both eyes, balancing depth, and ensuring comfort in playback devices such as VR headsets — a process more complex than standard video editing.
Each obstacle turned into an opportunity to innovate. The team developed new lighting strategies, rethought stage design, and streamlined workflow methods that will inform future immersive productions.
At its core, No Brainer is about belief in oneself — a theme that connects deeply with Cure For Paranoia’s journey. By pairing this message with immersive technology, the project amplifies the emotional connection between artist and audience.
For fans, the music video isn’t just something to watch. It’s an environment to enter. With stereoscopic 3D and 180° visuals, viewers feel as though they are standing shoulder to shoulder with the band, sharing the performance, not just observing it. This sense of presence elevates the emotional weight of the lyrics and performance, creating a new standard for how music can be experienced.
Beyond entertainment, the collaboration sparks a conversation about the role of immersive media in shaping the future of storytelling. As VR adoption grows, projects like this redefine audience expectations and encourage other artists to explore new creative frontiers.
Shout Outs
A project of this scale succeeds thanks to collaboration:
- Paul Levatino — for his creative leadership and guidance throughout the process.
- Gavin Mulloy — for his dedication to supporting Cure For Paranoia’s artistic growth and ensuring the band’s vision remained at the center.
- Gallery DeFi artists — whose bold and imaginative works provided an unparalleled visual canvas that merged seamlessly with the band’s sound.
- The Kessler Theater Team — an indie theater with a vision for the next generation of art, and for their incredible support in making this event possible.
Their contributions ensured that the final product wasn’t just a music video, but a landmark artistic collaboration. This collaboration is more than a single milestone. It points toward a broader future where music, art, and immersive technology converge:
- Redefining Live Performances: How might immersive video transform how concerts are recorded and experienced worldwide?
- Expanding Platforms: As VR headsets, mixed reality devices, and immersive screens become more common, immersive music videos may evolve into mainstream content formats.
- Integrating Art and Music: The partnership with Gallery DeFi highlights the potential of merging visual art installations with musical storytelling to create multi-layered experiences.
For Groove Jones, the project provided invaluable insights into immersive workflows and creative problem-solving. For Cure For Paranoia, it marked a step into a new era of bold expression and audience connection. Together, they set the stage for future collaborations that push the boundaries of what is possible. Learn more about the band – https://cureforparanoia.com/en-usd
Stay tuned for the release of No Brainer in immersive format. Witness firsthand what happens when innovative technology, fearless artistry, and collaborative spirit collide to create something entirely new.
