The Origins of NOMADlive.tv: Pioneering Live Streaming Before Its Time
In 2014, live streaming as we know it was still in its infancy. Platforms like Facebook Live didn’t exist, and the concept of streaming directly from your phone was beyond the reach of available technology. At NOMAD, however, we recognized the untapped potential of live storytelling and set out to redefine what was possible. Through a blend of ingenuity, dedication, and a relentless passion for innovation, we developed a groundbreaking app and production techniques that enabled us to broadcast live, 24/7—long before it became commonplace.
Our approach was both simple and revolutionary: we filmed in HD using DSLR cameras, with a phone physically attached to each camera to serve as our streaming tool. The phone transmitted a low-resolution version of whatever the camera captured to our studios in Montreal, where our team managed multiple live feeds, edited them in real time, and broadcast the result to a continuous live feed. This was NOMADlive.tv—an avant-garde way of telling stories live, as they unfolded, immersing audiences directly into the heart of the action.
From our roots in Montreal, NOMADlive.tv quickly grew beyond the city, taking us throughout Quebec and eventually to major international events like the Pan Am Games and Burning Man. At every step, we refined our techniques and pushed the boundaries of live video production, driven by a deep desire to create immersive, real-time narratives. The innovative methods and storytelling ethos we developed during these years would later give rise to NOMADslow.tv, a continuous “stream of consciousness” inspired by the lessons and experiences gained through NOMADlive.tv.
Today, NOMADlive.tv remains an active web TV, continuing to capture the world moment by moment, embracing the same pioneering spirit that defined its origins.
Le Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul: A Landmark Event in NOMADlive.tv’s Journey
One of our first major adventures outside Montreal was Le Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul, an unforgettable experience that truly showcased the magic of our innovative approach. Over the course of the festival, we captured live interviews with every performing artist and filmed each performance, creating a dynamic and immersive archive of the event. Artists like Les Trois Accords, Robert Charlebois, Fanny Bloom, Pierre Kwenders, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Caltâr Bateau, Reel Big Fish, The Planet Smashers, Jean Fortin, Radio Radio, What Cheer Brigade, Dany Placard, Antoine Corriveau, Groenland, Galaxie, Loud Lary Ajust, Eman & Vlooper, Milk & Bone, the late great Karim Ouellet, Rosie Valland, and Claude Bégin all became part of the NOMAD story. Many of these artists would go on to form lasting creative collaborations with us.
Our filming style during this festival came to define the NOMAD documentary aesthetic. Using a single handheld camera, we captured the energy and vibrancy of every performance. We moved through the crowd like true nomads, weaving on and off the stage, creating dynamic shots that told a story with every frame. Our unique “walking interview” technique, where the subject looks directly into the lens while moving through their environment, added an intimate and personal touch to the live interviews. This approach, which we came to call Live Documentary Filmmaking, became the foundation of our storytelling identity.
Marie Pierre Arthur | Le Festif!
Les Trois Accords | Le Festif!
Pierre Kwenders | Le Festif!
Caltâr Bateau | Le Festif!
Reel Big Fish | Le Festif!
The Planet Smashers | Le Festif!
Jean Fortin | Maire de Baie Saint Paul | Le Festif!
Radio Radio | Le Festif!
What Cheer? Brigade | Le Festif!
Dany Placard | Le Festif!
Fanny Bloom | Le Festif!
Antoine Corriveau | Le Festif!
Groenland | Le Festif!
Galaxie | Le Festif!
Loud Lary Ajust | Le Festif!
Eman & Vlooper | Le Festif!
Milk & Bone | Le Festif!
Robert Charlebois | Le Festif!
Karim Ouellet | Le Festif!
Rosie Valland | Le Festif!
Claude Bégin | Le Festif!
From Live Broadcasts to Refined Stories
After the livecast, the raw footage from events like Le Festif! was meticulously edited to create polished videos that captured the essence of the experience. These videos, available on this webpage, include:
1. A Recap of the Event – A vibrant overview of Le Festif! that captures its energy and highlights the incredible moments we filmed.
2. Interviews and Performances – The full collection of live interviews with artists and their performances.
3. The Grand Finale – A breathtaking culmination where every artist joined Les Trois Accords on stage for a final performance. We, NOMAD, were there with our cameras to document this extraordinary moment.
This groundbreaking work at Le Festif! marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of NOMADlive.tv, pushing our creativity to new heights and leaving an indelible mark on our storytelling journey. Today, the spirit of innovation that began with NOMADlive.tv continues to thrive, inspiring us to capture and share the world in new and unexpected ways.