MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE –FedExForum, known as one of the nation’s premier arenas in the NBA and North America, recently updated its arena lighting with a lighting package designed and installed by Bandit Lites. Home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team, the installation comes as part of the arena’s recent updates to maintain the best in show standards FedExForum is known for worldwide.
Bandit Lites installed a package comprised of HES Solaframe 3000, Chauvet Rogue 3 Spots, Claypaky AXCOR 300 Beams and Chauvet Ovation E-260WW w/ 10° Barrels.
“As FedExForum was one of the earliest projects that I and Roth Edwards personally installed, I was thrilled to once again be a part of the team trusted to update their system,” said Bandit Lites Director of Sales and Installation, Chris Barbee. “Both John Cameron Carter and Roth did a phenomenal job reimagining the lighting system.”
Bandit’s team mounted four HES Solaframe 3000 on each side of the catwalk running the length of the arena, illuminating the entire court. Each fixture is outfitted with two custom team gobos which, when coupled with the fantastic optics and colors, offer vivid looks for the design team.
“With the high output that the Solaframe 3000 allows, it was a great tool to use within this system,” said Barbee.
Other fixtures installed include Chauvet Rogue 3 Spots equipped with custom team gobos used in conjunction with the Solaframe 3000s to up the ante of dramatic looks.
With the arena size measuring more than fourteen acres, Bandit Lites team had to account for the lowest catwalk coming in at one hundred feet above deck. With such a distance, the selected fixtures would need to provide punchy looks at long ranges.
“Coming in at under forty pounds, I was thoroughly impressed with how much the Claypaky AXCOR 300 Beams could do when hung that many feet above the deck,” said Carter. “For years, output and size were synonymous, but the LED engine combined with the optics of this fixture give it a crisp beam that is easily spotted throughout the arena.”
Due to the arena’s sport lights covering the majority of the catwalks, Bandit also provided fixtures that would still achieve a full range of motion hung on the ten-foot custom tail downs provided by Tyler Truss Systems and installed by Bandit Lites fifteen years prior.
“To combat the fact changing lamps there was no easy task and would take a considerable amount of time, we went 100 percent LED with every fixture hung on the tail downs,” said Carter.
And while the moving fixtures could also easily light the benches, it would be at the expense of opportunities to pump up the crowds during introductions. Instead, Bandit Lites installed Chauvet Ovation E-260WW w/ 10° to illuminate the benches and the players as they barrel onto the arena floor.
“We are greatly pleased with Bandit and the state-of-the-art upgrade of our intelligent lighting system at FedExForum,” said Vice President of Arena Operations Dwight Johnson. “Having consistently been recognized as a leader in game presentation, we strive to always exceed expectations and bring the best experiences to our fans and guests who come through FedExForum.”
About Bandit Lites, Inc.
Bandit Lites is a global leader in the entertainment lighting marketplace. From touring productions to fixed installations, Bandit Lites has a full staff of highly trained professionals to deal with all types of lighting needs. Bandit’s global presence will insure seamless transitions no matter where your next show takes you. More information available at www.BanditLites.com