There are so many incredible people working in the music industry, and while artists and producers get most of the spotlight, there’s a whole team of creatives behind them. Earlier this year, I had the honor of interviewing Shayn Hotton, a creative director on SVDDEN DEATH’s team. He introduced me to Cameron MacNeil, who’s been working with REZZ as a visual artist and VJ for the past eight years.
Cam is also part of X CVLT, a creative collective studio that works with artists like REZZ, Marshmello, and SVDDEN DEATH. When asked about the collective, Cam shared that it started as an animation project by their animator Maxim Poirier, who later brought Shayn on board. The three quickly realized they shared a vision for pushing visual design and storytelling, officially joining forces to bring their ideas to life.
We caught up at Lost Lands, where REZZ’s set pulled elements from her PORTAL show into a massive rectangular screen setup. “Playing on a huge single screen is my favorite, it really brings the visuals to life,” Cam said. For REZZ’s shows, the key elements are atmosphere and cohesion. The team focuses on creating a mood that feels unified across every song. For Lost Lands, they even created several brand-new visuals, adapting PORTAL content—originally designed for a circular screen—to fit the festival’s giant stage. Making each setup cohesive and powerful, Cam (image right) explained, “is like putting together pieces of a puzzle.”
Building PORTAL
REZZ’s biggest production to date, PORTAL, first debuted in San Francisco in March before making its way to the Tacoma Dome in September. The show’s massive circular screen—essentially an 8K display—presented a brand-new challenge for the team.
“At the time, that tech was really new, and even now, not many people use 8K setups,” Cam said. “We were really pushing the limits of what our computers and LED hardware could do.”
REZZ had the initial idea for the portal, and from there, Cam and their animator Max brainstormed alongside her to bring it to life. The process involved extensive research, listening to the music, sketching storyboards, and mapping out each song—something REZZ was deeply involved in.
The team went through endless versions of each visual, refining and rebuilding them until it was perfect. “That first show was nerve-wracking—we were all tense—but when it ended, it felt like we’d just won the Super Bowl. We were so proud of what we pulled off.”
From Electrician to VJ
Cam didn’t start his career in music, but he’s been raving since he was 16 and always loved EDM. He was working as an electrician when he saw Skrillex’s “The Cell” show in Calgary, a motion capture and projection mapping performance that blew his mind. “I left that show knowing I wanted to create visuals,” he said.
He started reaching out to anyone in the industry, volunteering to help, buying an old MacBook, and teaching himself VJ software. He quickly became part of Calgary’s dubstep scene, where PK Sound also originated. Eventually, he connected with Excision and helped build The Executioner stage, a projection-mapped setup they toured across North America, including Coachella’s Sahara Tent. “That experience made me fall in love with touring and live visuals full-time,” Cam said.
Meeting REZZ
After years on the road, Cam was VJing a festival in Calgary where REZZ was performing early in the lineup. Already a fan of her music, he spent extra time creating visuals that matched her sound. “After the show, I overheard her and her tour manager saying the visuals were epic, they wanted to know who made them,” Cam recalled. He introduced himself, and since they were looking for a VJ, the timing couldn’t have been better. With references from the Excision crew, he joined REZZ’s team soon after, and the rest is history.
“I’ve been with her from small clubs to arenas, and watching that growth has been incredibly satisfying,” Cam said. “Seeing how far her project has come feels like being part of something historic.”
Advice for Aspiring VJs
When asked what advice he’d give to others hoping to follow a similar path, Cam emphasized the importance of community. “Find other VJs in your area and take them out for coffee, most of us are happy to share what we know,” he said. He also encouraged new artists to download Resolume (the trial is free) and start experimenting. Watch tutorials, try things out, and develop your own style. Authenticity is what makes visuals stand out.
“If you’re thinking about getting into visuals, go for it. It’s challenging but incredibly rewarding. I still love what I do after all these years, it brings me so much joy. If you’re passionate, start learning, get involved, and maybe one day we’ll see you up on a massive stage too.”
As fans, it’s easy to get lost in the experience without realizing how much work goes on behind the scenes to make it all happen. The next time you’re at a set, take a moment to look around and remember: there’s a team like Cam’s working tirelessly behind the scenes to make that magic happen.
I want to thank Cam MacNeil for sharing his story and the incredible conversation we were able to have. I also want to say thank you to Shayn Hotton for connecting me with Cam and helping shine a light on the creatives shaping the future of EDM.