A complement of grandMA consoles controlled a dazzling array of fixtures employed by lighting directors Patrick Dierson and Kevin Lawson of Artfag, LLC at two pre-Super Bowl concerts. grandMAs also controlled lighting by Artfag lighting & video directors Richard Wold and Pat Brannon for a pre-game NFL party for VIPs. A.C.T Lighting is the exclusive distributor of the grandMA in North America.
Pepsi Smash Concert Series’ latest event, VH-1 Presents Pepsi Smash Bash featuring John Legend, Fergie, and Kanye West, was hosted by Taye Diggs outside Dolphins Stadium on the NFL Experience Concert Stage. Recorded to HD by MTV Networks the Thursday before the game, the concert was telecast on Saturday night.
Friday night Telemundo’s Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Fiesta featuring Don Omar, Ivy Queen and Aventura was taped on the same stage for broadcast as well. Spike Brandt at Artfag provided production design for both concerts.
“The same equipment and rig was used for each event,” notes Patrick Dierson. “Two grandMAs and a backup unit were on hand with three MA NSPs. They controlled various Martin MAC 2000 Washes, Profiles, Performances, conventional dimming, and special Syncrolite SXB-5/2Ds. Two grandMAs, networked to run in a multi-user mode, were operated by two people at all times. We also had the backup grandMA in session, which allowed guest designers to run their shows themselves while still enabling the lighting directors to control the fixtures."
Dierson says the grandMAs’ use of Worlds, which permitted the lighting directors to completely isolate control of certain fixtures, was a key feature. “At no time were any of the programmers or operators disrupted during the live taping,” he points out. “In using worlds we were able to separate key and talent backlighting and all audience aerial lighting from the stage lighting rig as well as what we were controlling in the distance on the stadium itself. All in realtime and all controlled via wireless DMX.”
A third pre-game event was the NFL Super Bowl 2007 Bayfront Park party for NFL executives and VIPs. Held at Miami’s Bayfront Amphitheater, it was headlined by New Edition, Blondie, and REO Speedwagon. Dierson and Richard Wold were lighting directors for the festivities with Pat Brannon video director and Artfag’s Spike Brandt production designer.
Three non-networked grandMAs were among the party’s equipment complement. One controlled the lighting fixtures, including various Martin MAC 2000 Profiles, Washes, conventional lights, Big Lites and HES Studio Colors which illuminated performers as well as the Lombardi trophy and Super Bowl rings from the past 41 years.
Another grandMA controlled three Green Hippo Hippotizers, five Barco FLM-R20+ projectors, three Folsom Image Pros, a Xandar Fusion multi-image processor, and a Barco Encore with 16- way switcher which displayed NFL player footage, logos and branding, and a custom video package on roof sails and a main screen. HDSDI signals delivered high-quality images. Custom software was provided by Control Freak Systems; Nocturne supplied the HD camera package. A third grandMA served as a backup unit.
"What a great team to work with. Spike Brandt, Patrick Dierson and Pat Brannon. These guys are very creative professionals. As Patrick noted, the networking and multi-user functions of the grandMA system made this work in a way that no other console could have," comments A.C.T Lighting President and CEO Bob Gordon."
For additional Live Design coverage of Super Bowl XLI please see:
Falcon Fixtures Super Bowl XLI
Nocturne A Smash at Super Bowl XLI Bash
Tait Towers Raises The Roof During The Super Bowl
World's Brightest Lights Illuminate World's Biggest Game