The 2019 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) took place on August 26 at Prudential Center in Newark, marking the show's debut in New Jersey. Broadcast live on MTV as well as Viacom websites and apps, the big winners at the 36th annual VMAs were Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish. But the behind-the-scenes award has to go to Bob Barnhart and his team from 22 Degrees Entertainment Lighting Group in LA, as well as the crew from PRG, for an incredible job with the lighting design. Check out the lighting plots and gear list for this mega awards show, and read our in-depth interview with Barnhart on the lighting design.
Lighting Credits
- Lighting Designer: Bob Barnhart
- Lighting Directors: Ben Green, Dave Thibodeau
- Programmer / Lighting Directors: Pete Radice, Patrick Boozer
- Gaffer: Richard Beck, Jr.
- Best Boys: Chris Moeller, RJ Styles, Shalah Cave, Steve Sitler, Bobby Tacoma, Ron Martin
- PRG Chief Tech: Matt Geneczko
- PRG Lead Tech: Meg Flanagan, Keith Meola
- PRG Tech: Michael Dodge, Josh Davenport
- PRG Project Manager: Travis Snyder
- PRG Local Account Rep: Kyla Dambach
- PRG Account Manager: Tony Ward
- 22 Degrees Project Manager: Marie Turner
- Lighting Interns: Jeff Behm, Ryan Healey, Ranleigh Starling
- + 25 Local 21 Spot Operators
Lighting Equipment
Moving Lights:
- 64 PRG Best Boy HP
- 10 PRG Best Boy GroundControl
- 5 PRG Bad Boy GroundControl
- 102 Vari-lite VL2600 Spot
- 170 PRG Icon Edge
- 88 Claypaky Sharpy
- 16 GLP FR-1
- 16 Ayrton MagicDot-R
- 24 Vari-Lite VL3500 Wash
- 42 GLP impression X4 Bar 20
- 30 Robe Pointe
LED:
- 2 Astra 1X1 Bicolor LED Panel
- 12 Martin by Harman RUSH PAR 2
- 64 GLP X4 Atom
- 6 Cineo Trucolor HS
- 136 TMB Solaris Flare
- 270 GLP JDC-1
- 30 Astera Titan Tube
- 6 ETC Source Four LED LUSTR 2 36°
Consoles:
- 2 PRG V676
- 2 ETC Eos Ti
- 1 MA Lighting grandMA2 ON PC Wing
- 1 MA Lighting grandMA2 LITE
Conventionals:
- 12 ETC Source Four
- 196 2.4K Dimmers
- 400 40w Clear Silicone-Coated Light Bulb
- 5,500 10w Clear, Colored Marquee Bulb
Followspots:
- 10 2K Super Trouper Long Throw
Atmosphere: