Miami, FL- This year marked the 30th annual edition of Univision's 'Premio Lo Nuestro' (PLN) awards show. PLN 2018 featured some of the greatest artists in Latin music and special tributes to icons like Gloria Estefan who have paved the way for new artists. Lighting Designer Tom Kenny lit the illustrious event held at the American Airlines Center with gear provided by 4Wall Entertainment.
At 30 years, PLN is the longest-running music awards show on Spanish-language television in the United States. LD Tom Kenny created a lighting design to reflect the show's prominence and growth over the years.
"My approach for PLN's lighting design was to give the show a modern, live concert feel but also keep the glamour and sophistication that Univision incorporates within its programming content," said Kenny. "This was an extremely important show for everyone involved and I was honored to be a part of it."
The LD worked alongside PLN's Production Designer Jorge Dominguez to create grand looks for the show.
4Wall provided well over 1,200 light fixtures for the 21 various acts that performed at PLN. Programmers Matt Piercy and Kevin Lawson worked tirelessly to create different looks for each act utilizing a moving lights package of over 140 Robe Pointes, Clay Paky Sharpys, Vari*Lite VL3500 Washes & Spots, Vari*Lite VL4000 Spots, Martin MAC Quantum Washes, and Aura XBs.
"I'm a big fan of all the Robe fixtures we had for the show," said the LD. "My workhorses were the VL3500s and VL4000s with the help of multiple layers of Sharpys and Solaris Flares."
For LEDs, Kenny utilized Color Kinetics ColorBlast 12 TRX and iW Blast TR fixtures, TMB Solaris Flare Q+, Solaris Flare Q+ LR, Chroma-Q Color Force II battens, Chauvet Professional Colorado 2 Solos, and Martin VDO Sceptron 10s.
The control system was comprised of 3 MA Lighting grandMA2 full-size consoles and 12 MA NPUs.
"The production's gaffer Alex Flores and his army of electricians maintained this massive prop system of over 20-floor packages," explained the LD. "We couldn't have pulled this event off without the hard work and dedication of the amazing crew."
Kenny also worked closely with creative powerhouse The Squared Division and design studio Darmah who provided show's video equipment.
"This year's PLN was a huge success, mainly due to the very cohesive and cooperative team," said Kenny.
The LD spoke of the services 4Wall provided.
"All in all this was a great experience," said Kenny. "I've built an awesome relationship with Bob Suchocki for over 5 years which has allowed us to mold a quick creative process that enables us to create unique looks for the artists."
Kenny continued, "This was my first show working with Bob since he joined 4Wall and it was a wonderful introduction to 4Wall's well-maintained gear and service."
Crew
Promoter/Producer - Ulises Chang and Ayleen Figueras
Lighting Company - 4Wall Entertainment
Production Manager - Tony Parodi
Lighting Designer - Tom Kenny
Lighting Director - Ronnie Skopac
Automated Lighting Operator - Matt Piercy, Kevin Lawson
Gaffer - Alex Flores
Best Boy - John Ellar
Lead Lighting Tech - Mikey Smallman
Lighting Techs - Adam Hagin, John Cox, Edgar Serrano, Scott O'Connor, George Coronel
Set Design - Jorge Dominguez
Set Construction - Univision
Rigger - Justin Semsch
Rigging Company - Kish Rigging
Staging Company - David Mendoza
Staging Carpenter - Gio Reyes
Video Director - Johnny Values
Video Company - Darmah
Video Equipment - Darmah
2018 PLN Selected Gear List
38 - Chauvet Colorado Solo 2
12 - Chroma-Q Color Force II 48"
8 - Chroma-Q Color Force II 72"
94 - Clay Paky Sharpy
6 - Clay Paky Sharpy Wash
16 - Color Kinetics iW Blast TR
64 - Color Kinetics ColorBlast 12 TRX
60 - Elation Cuepix
90 - EuroLite KR10
7 - Lycian 1290
1 - Lycian 1295LT
4 - Lycian M2
20 - Martin Atomic Strobe
6 - Martin MAC Aura XB
26 - Martin MAC Quantum Wash
81 - Martin Sceptron 10 (100mm)
8 - Robe BMFL WashBeam
21 - Robe MegaPointe
28 - Robe Patt 2013
148 - Robe Pointe
12 - Robe UV Strobe
110 - TMB Solaris Flare Q+
26 - TMB Solaris Flare Q+ LR
63 - Vari*Lite VL3500 Spot
83 - Vari*Lite VL3500 Wash
49 - Vari*Lite VL4000 Spot
8 - Vari*Lite VLX