Behind the Scenes of Dream Theater’s Night Terror Music Video
Our music video for Dream Theater’s Night Terror recently passed 4 million views—and I’m still wrapping my head around it. 🤯 Directing a video for one of the most iconic and musically gifted bands in the world was an incredible honor, and seeing it resonate with so many fans has been truly humbling.
A Relationship Built on Trust
My journey with Dream Theater began back in 2010. I still remember the phone call from Rick Ernst, then Director of Video Production at Roadrunner Records. He told me that Mike Portnoy had just left the band, and they were planning a feature-length documentary about auditioning some of the best drummers in the world to join Dream Theater.
That project changed everything for me. From the start, the band and I clicked. I quickly learned that beyond being some of the most talented musicians on the planet, they’re also some of the nicest and most down-to-earth people you could hope to work with.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of producing and directing their live DVD Live at Luna Park in Buenos Aires, along with dozens of creative projects across the years. But until Night Terror, I had never directed one of their official music videos. That’s what makes this project so meaningful.
And to make it even more special: this was the first Dream Theater music video since Mike Portnoy’s return to the band. We leaned into that energy during the shoot, and I truly believe it’s one of the reasons fans went wild and pushed the video past 4 million views.
The Creative Vision
From the start, we knew this would be a pure performance video. The initial spark came when John Petrucci shared the album artwork for Parasomnia. That image became the visual compass for everything we built—production design, lighting, and atmosphere.
We landed on an eclectic old mansion in New York City as our location. The house had incredible character, but no single room could fit the entire band. Instead of fighting it, we leaned into the limitation: each band member was given their own distinct space, creating a unique vibe for every performance segment.
Since Parasomnia draws inspiration from sleep paralysis and the sensation of being trapped in a dream, we wanted to thread that theme through the visuals. Haze, fog, and ominous lighting gave the video its eerie, dreamlike quality, and camera movement played a central role. Much of the final cut came from Steadicam shots, beautifully executed by Brian Murphy, which kept the energy alive and the dream world in motion.
Behind the Camera
Our Director of Photography, Brandon Ripley, built a lighting scheme rooted in the album’s artwork—dark, moody, and unsettling, yet cinematic. Together with Brian’s Steadicam work and a dedicated crew, we created an atmosphere that felt true to both the song and the world of Parasomnia.
This shoot also carried a personal layer of intensity. Just days earlier, Brandon, Brian, and I had flown back from Hawaii where we wrapped production on an NBC series episode. We went straight from that project into an overnight shoot on Brandon’s birthday—a testament to the dedication and stamina of the team.
Credits & Gratitude
I couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who brought this project to life:
Producer: Allison Leonard
Director: Mike Leonard
UPM: Sam Rooke
DP: Brandon Ripley
Steadicam: Brian Murphy
1st AC: Harrison Stagner
Gaffer: Stephen Meierding
Key Grip: Levi Wilkinson
Edit & Color: Mike Leonard
HMU: Brenna Dury
PA: Adrian Marte
And of course, Dream Theater themselves:
Vocals: James LaBrie
Guitar: John Petrucci
Bass: John Myung
Keys: Jordan Rudess
Drums: Mike Portnoy
With support from:
Label Executive Producer: Thomas Waber
Management: Frank & Jake Solomon
Band Production Manager: Matthew Schieferstein
Tour Manager: Chuck Randall
Playback & Tech: James Meslin, Jose Baraquio
Looking Back
When I think about Night Terror, I see more than just a music video—it’s a full-circle moment. From that first documentary in 2010, to Live at Luna Park, to dozens of creative collaborations, and now to directing this video that marks Mike Portnoy’s return—it feels like a story with its own dreamlike arc.
Crossing 4 million views feels like an achievement, but the real reward has been the journey itself: a chance to honor the themes of Parasomnia, to celebrate the return of a legend, and to continue creating with some of the most extraordinary musicians—and people—I’ve ever known.
Written by Mike Leonard | Director & Executive Producer