Available for remote & on-site engagements
Animatronic & Show Control Specialist

The technical
problem
is solved.

Commissioning, operational readiness and technical training for complex attractions and live experiences.

35+ years commissioning, operating, and troubleshooting the world's most complex animatronic, show control, and AV systems — across touring productions, immersive exhibitions, and themed entertainment globally. I help teams move from installation and testing towards reliable operation, clear handover, and capable local staff — available for suitable international project work from bases in Sydney and Osaka.

Discuss a project See case studies
// credentials at a glance
Years in industry 35+
Major productions 40+
Countries deployed 20+
Base SYD / OSA
Audinate Dante Certified L1 / L2 / L3
Q-SYS Audio Systems Certified
IEEE / SMPTE / AES Member
AICD — Governance Essentials
PLC & SCADA Certified — EIT (2011)
High Risk Work Licence — LF RA
▸ Walking With Dinosaurs ▸ How To Train Your Dragon ▸ King Kong Live ▸ Jurassic World The Exhibition ▸ Cirque du Soleil ▸ Titanique ▸ Phantom of the Opera ▸ Medialon · Dante · Alcorn · CANbus · DMX · MIDI · Beckhoff ▸ Show Creation · Commissioning · Technical Operations · TAIT Navigator Certified ▸ Walking With Dinosaurs ▸ How To Train Your Dragon ▸ King Kong Live ▸ Jurassic World The Exhibition ▸ Cirque du Soleil ▸ Titanique ▸ Phantom of the Opera ▸ Medialon · Dante · Alcorn · CANbus · DMX · MIDI · Beckhoff
Profile

Nigel
Hodgson

Every department in a live show has a designer — lighting, sound, set. Automation and systems integration rarely gets the same recognition, but for over 35 years, that's been my role: translating artistic intent into technical scope across animatronic show control, multi-protocol AV networking, IT infrastructure, and technical operations management — and translating technical constraint back into creative options, so producers get the best achievable outcome rather than a forced compromise. Across touring productions, permanent installations, and travelling exhibitions on every continent.

I have served as Head of Show Control, Head of Creatures, Technical Supervisor, and IT Coordinator on productions that run seven days a week, move to a new venue every week, and cannot fail. That operating reality — not classroom theory — informs every engagement I take on.

Based between Sydney and Osaka, I am positioned across the Asia Pacific region and available for remote consultations, on-site animatronic commissioning support, exhibition operations management, and retained technical advisory for exhibition companies, production houses, and themed entertainment operators.

IEEE · SMPTE · AES · AICD member

2024–25
HOD Sound / IT Coordinator JPJ Audio — Titanique, Australia
2019–21
Technical Supervisor Worldwide Victory Hill / Cityneon — Jurassic World Exhibition
2018–19
Head of Creatures Global Creatures — Walking With Dinosaurs, UK/Europe/Asia
2017
EMC / IT Coordinator Cirque du Soleil — 100-node network, 30 POS terminals
2013–16
Head of Creatures / Controls PM Global Creatures / CTC — King Kong, HTTYD, Jurassic World
2007–13
Head of Controls / Head of Show Control Global Creatures — WWD, HTTYD North America
1993–05
Deputy HOD Sound / Senior Systems Tech System Sound — Phantom, Les Mis, Sound of Music, Oliver
Services

What I
deliver

Available for both on-site contract and crew roles, and remote consulting engagements. Remote-first consulting with on-site availability across Australia, Singapore, Japan, and major touring markets globally. Contract roles available for exhibitions, touring productions, and themed entertainment deployments.

// 01

Commissioning & Technical Readiness

When you need it
An animatronic, show control system or exhibition is being installed or tested and needs to reach reliable, repeatable operation.
What I provide
Commissioning support and testing coordination within agreed scope, bench testing and pre-show verification, fault diagnosis and troubleshooting across automation, AV and IT, and readiness checks before opening. Experienced across Alcorn McBride, Medialon, Beckhoff, CANbus, DMX, MIDI and proprietary control architectures. Remote and on-site diagnostics, optimisation and resolution for Dante audio networks, console integration, MADI and complex multi-protocol AV/IT environments, plus design, deployment and management of production IT and show networks (Windows Server, Active Directory, Cisco/Meraki switching, managed VLANs).
Expected outcome
Systems checked against the agreed scope before opening, and faults traced to a cause so the operating team knows where things stand.
Medialon Alcorn Beckhoff CANbus PLC SCADA DMX Dante L3 Q-SYS Cisco Meraki
// 02

Operational Handover & Documentation

When you need it
The installation team is leaving or an exhibition is moving venue, and the operating team needs what it takes to run the system without them.
What I provide
Operating and maintenance documentation, SOPs (preshow, show, shutdown, maintenance), network diagrams and commissioning checklists, plus coordination between the installation and technical teams and the teams who will operate the show. Full technical supervision and operations management for travelling and permanent immersive exhibitions, from pre-build verification through opening and ongoing daily operations, including daily operational procedures, staff rostering and show-move logistics.
Expected outcome
Documented procedures and technical records the operating team can work from, and knowledge that stays with the project.
SOPs Network Diagrams Commissioning Docs Operations Management
// 03

Staff Training & Knowledge Transfer

When you need it
Operators, technicians or supervisors will take over a system and need to be confident running and troubleshooting it.
What I provide
Practical training and coaching for operators, technicians, supervisors and local teams, with troubleshooting methods across automation, AV and IT, and handover support through opening and early operation.
Expected outcome
Local teams able to operate and troubleshoot the system independently.
Staff Training Travelling Exhibition Immersive Show Creation
// 04

Remote Technical Support & Advisory

When you need it
A fault or design question needs an experienced second opinion and there is no need, or no time, for someone on site.
What I provide
Remote diagnostics and technical advice, project and system architecture reviews, network audits, and ongoing support arrangements. Remote troubleshooting for show-control and animatronic system faults, console faults, network outages and control system failures. Urgent technical issues can be prioritised by arrangement. Written session summary provided.
Expected outcome
A clear diagnosis or recommendation, in writing, that your team can act on.
Remote Urgent Response Show Control AV Network

This is technical and operational support within agreed project scope. It is not statutory certification, independent safety approval or engineering sign-off.

AnimatronicsCommissioning, hydraulic and servo systems, PID control loops. Show ControlPLC, SCADA, Medialon, Alcorn, Beckhoff and media networking. ExhibitionsImmersive and travelling exhibition technical supervision and operations management.
Case Studies

Problems solved.
Shows opened.

The projects below show what that translation looks like in practice — from holding multiple live international exhibition sites running simultaneously, to rebuilding a full touring show from scratch every seven days, to keeping a modern immersive production's network invisible to its audience.

01
Travelling Exhibition · USA, UK, Asia, Australia, Middle East · 2019–2021

Jurassic World: The Exhibition — Technical Supervisor Worldwide

Project context
Victory Hill Exhibitions / Cityneon Group. A major IP touring exhibition running seven days a week across multiple concurrent international venues, each with high guest throughput and strict uptime requirements.
My role
Technical Supervisor Worldwide: responsible for all technical operations, staff training, and daily show readiness across every global deployment simultaneously.
Result Multiple international venues opened on schedule. Consistent seven-day operation achieved with minimal downtime. Full SOP library developed covering preshow, show, shutdown, and maintenance. Local teams trained to operate independently. Troubleshooting time reduced through documentation and cross-domain diagnostic workflows across automation, AV, and IT.
Capabilities
Alcorn McBride Medialon Beckhoff Servo & hydraulic PID motion control Dante media Multi-node AV networks Cisco IT

Related: Operational handover · Staff training · Discuss a similar project →

02
Arena Tour · North America, Europe, Asia · 2007–2019

Walking With Dinosaurs — Head of Creatures / Head of Controls

Project context
Nick Grace Management / Global Creatures. One of the world’s largest touring arena productions: full-size wireless animatronic dinosaurs running up to 12 shows per week, with a full venue move every seven days.
My role
Head of Creatures / Head of Controls over a decade and multiple tour legs: responsible for all animatronic systems, mechanical reliability, controls, and daily show readiness, with constant coordination across lighting, audio, SFX, automation, and puppeteers.
Result High animatronic reliability sustained across years of intensive touring. Downtime minimised through proactive mechanical inspection and preventative maintenance regimes. Artistic consistency maintained across vastly different venue configurations and regions. Operators and puppeteers trained to consistent performance standards at every stop.
Capabilities
Hydraulic & servo PID loop control BlackTrax DMX MIDI Ethernet CANbus

Related: Commissioning & technical readiness · Staff training · Discuss a similar project →

03
Live Production · Australia · 2023–2024

Metaverse of Magic — Show Networking Engineer

Project context
Jones. An immersive live magic show combining LED panel systems, interactive media, NDI video streaming, and a gaming software environment served from an onsite server, in a high-RF live performance environment where wireless congestion and streaming stability were the critical risk factors.
My role
Show Networking Engineer: designing, supporting, and maintaining the entire networked media environment, including wired and wireless infrastructure, NDI distribution, and multi-node media delivery.
Result Stable, high-quality NDI video streaming delivered throughout the production run. Network-related issues eliminated through proactive monitoring and redundancy strategies. LED, media server, and network systems integrated into a unified, show-reliable environment. Rapid on-the-floor troubleshooting during rehearsals prevented issues from reaching performance.
Capabilities
NDI LED systems Media servers Wired & wireless networks

Related: Technical readiness · Remote support · Discuss a similar project →

04
Musical Theatre · Australia · 2024–2025

Titanique — Head of Sound, Australian Premiere

Project context
Michael Cassel / JPJ Audio. The Australian premiere of Titanique, built from script edit through to opening night. System architecture: Yamaha console, Meyer managed speaker system, Dante audio distribution, QLab playback, and Shure wireless.
My role
Head of Sound: led the full sound department, developing all show files, cue stacks, and RF workflows in close collaboration with the sound designer, director, cast, and crew, while training operators and running technical rehearsals.
Result Successful Australian premiere delivered with consistent audio quality across all performances. Show files, playback systems, and RF workflows built and stabilised from the ground up. Technical and creative teams aligned throughout the production process. Operators trained and confident by opening night.
Capabilities
Yamaha Meyer Dante QLab Shure wireless

Related: Staff training · Technical readiness · Discuss a similar project →

Contact

Start an
engagement

If you manage or deliver an attraction and need commissioning support, a technical handover, troubleshooting, or staff training — or have a contract or crew role to fill — send a brief description of the project and I'll come back to you.

Useful to include: the attraction or project, its location, your expected start date and duration, the type of support you need, the systems involved, and any travel or onsite requirements.

Urgent technical issues can be prioritised by arrangement. If you have a show opening within 72 hours, note that in your message.

Looking for fees? See engagement structures.

Based: Sydney, Australia / Osaka, Japan
Available: Asia Pacific and suitable international project work

Email nigelh@jaiproductions.com.au
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nigelhodgson
Response Response arrangements agreed according to urgency and availability.
// intake form

All enquiries treated in confidence. SOW provided before any work commences. Sending opens your email app with these details filled in.

FAQ

Common Questions

What animatronic systems do you have experience with? +

Hands-on experience with Creature Technology Company control systems, Alcorn McBride show control, Medialon, Beckhoff PLC, CANbus, DMX, MIDI, hydraulic and servo motor systems, PID control loops, and wireless animatronic control. Productions include Walking With Dinosaurs, How To Train Your Dragon, King Kong Live, and Jurassic World: The Exhibition across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Do you take on projects in Japan, Singapore and internationally? +

Yes. I work with clients worldwide, with a particular focus on Japan and Singapore. I hold Australian full work rights and Japanese spousal visa work rights, with an Osaka base. Remote and on-site arrangements can be discussed according to project requirements, client contracting requirements, and applicable work authorisation, including for projects with US-based companies. Any engagement requiring work to be performed physically in the United States would be subject to the necessary authorisation.

What is the difference between on-site contract roles and remote consulting? +

On-site contract roles involve physical attendance at the venue or production — exhibition technical supervision, show commissioning, or touring crew — with fees quoted on request, plus travel and accommodation. Remote consulting covers troubleshooting, system advisory, documentation, and AV network diagnostics via video call and written deliverables, also quoted on request.

What themed entertainment companies have you worked with? +

Creature Technology Company, Global Creatures, Victory Hill Exhibitions, Cityneon Group, Nick Grace Management, Imagine Exhibitions, Cirque du Soleil, DreamWorks, JPJ Audio, and Michael Cassel Group — across productions on every continent.

Do you hold Dante audio networking certification? +

Yes — Audinate Dante Certification at Levels 1, 2, and 3 (2024), Q-SYS Audio Systems Certification, and a Certificate in PLCs and SCADA Systems from the Engineering Institute of Technology. Hands-on experience with DiGiCo, Yamaha, and Meyer Sound systems in touring and exhibition environments.