Lighting up “Nod-Krai” with AURORA & the LSO

by | Sep 1, 2025 | News

A dramatically lit orchestra in a large studio

For the fourth year running, Stagecast is delighted to have produced music videos for MiHoYo, global leader in mobile video games. This latest Genshin Impact release transports us to the cold, harsh region of Nod-Krai, a very different challenge compared to last year’s fiery world of Natlan.

An orchestra and conductor in a dramatically lit studio, with silhouetted television cameras in the foreground filming them play.

Building on the success of our 2024 film, which has now surpassed 5 million views on YouTube (not to mention 13 million on Chinese platform BiliBili), we set out to go even bigger with an exciting new studio space, Eastbrook Studios, and constructing our most ambitious set yet: a mountainous landscape complete with jagged white staircase rising through space, holding the full London Symphony Orchestra, choir, folk musicians and soloists beneath a glowing moon suspended high above the stage. This year we welcomed back London Voices and introduced an array of incredible soloists including Norwegian pop-star AURORA, along with a diverse mix of folk instruments, all led by conductor Ben Foster.

Singer AURORA in white costume and headdress, backlit against a large prop moon, gazing down the lens of a television steadicam being held in front of her.

Filmed in 4K on Arri cinema cameras with facilities provided by Hotcam, it was executive produced by Matt Parkin and directed by Phil Glenny, with set design by Sarah Milton and lighting by Andy Stagles. Editing was by Thomas Aston, with grading by Colin Brown and Jon Bruce at BSquared.

A profile view of people seated in a dimly lit television broadcast gallery, with faces lit by screens.

We’re always thrilled to play a small part in Genshin Impact’s global success, and this year’s films are shaping up to be the most successful yet, already attracting impressive audiences within days of their release.

A camera operator and and television camera seen from behind, silhouetted against an out-of-focus orchestra in the background.

Watch the finished films here:

With thanks to…
Music Production: HOYO-MiX
Executive Producer: Matt Parkin
Producer: Calum Wyllie
Director: Phil Glenny
Production Manager: Georgia Orwell
Camera Operators: Wai-King Cheung, Liz Hillman, David Oliver (jib), Owen Roberts (steadicam)
Camera Assistants: Alice Berkeley, Luke Green, Harvey Hinchcliffe, John Patterson
Vision Engineer: Peter Stark
Script Supervisor: Alice Marner
Floor Manager: Liz Burton-King
Playback Supervisor: Stephen Harrington
Playback Assistant: Joe Linehan for Azimuth Media Production
Technical Supervisor: Paul Anders
DIT: Mack Kniese
Hair & Make-up Supervisor: Sarah-Jane Pucci
Hair & Make-up Assistant: Ruth Pease
Wardrobe Assistant: Fran Levin
Runners: Monty Bland, Zachary Jolliffe
Unit Managers: Pete Rickards & Euan Jackson for eStage
Camera Facilities: Hotcam
Lighting Design & Facilities: Andy Stagles
Lighting Crew: Bill Peachment, Neil Wallace, Paul Swansborough
Set Design: Sarah Milton & Tracey Macario
Rigging: Fraser Clenahan at Rigger
Eastbrook Studios: Grace Ault, Issatu Doore, Ashley Darran
LSO Concerts & Recordings Manager: Mario de Sa
LSO Recordings & Projects Coordinator: Caitlin Lobo
LSO Operations Manager: Al Goode
LSO Stage Manager: Jakub Drewa
Takeoff Studios: Lichao Zheng
London Voices: Ben Parry
Editor: Tom Aston
Grading: Colin Brown & Jon Bruce at BSquared
BTS crew: Jude Lacey, Michael O’Halloran, James Blackburn, Jonny Horne
Production Photographer: Will Gray

Photos by Will Gray for Stagecast