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Bandit Lights up Nashville NHL Stadium Series with Mark Carver

USA – The Nashville Predators made history in 2022 as part of the first-ever outdoor NHL game in Tennessee. Nearly 70,000 fans joined the festivities as the Predators took on the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nissan Stadium for the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. Bandit Lites provided the lighting system for the three musical stages, which included performances by country music superstars Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, as well as lighting the hockey player introductions and national anthem.

Veteran lighting designer Mark Carver worked to design a system that would strike the balance of providing broadcast quality video for the NHL Television Broadcast while also having the ability to lay flat on the field to not obstruct the audience view of the hockey rink.

“As we began the initial logistics of the cabling and data distribution, we were all additionally challenged by inclement weather with temperatures that ranged from the 70s to the 20s with multiple days and nights of rain,” explained Bandit Lites vice president Mike Golden. “There were other unique wrinkles to consider such as the glare on the ice as well as angle and time of sunset. These logistics were all taken in stride, and through the cooperation of all entities, the product came off flawlessly.”

“Mike Golden did a great job in pulling the package together and offering solutions in a very short time frame,” Carver said. “Project manager Jimmy Hatten worked very hard in the prep and dealing with multiple rack locations.”

Hatten and Jacob Edge also developed a complex networking plan that utilized the existing fibre already in place at the stadium that connected the Bandit lighting system, BMFL followspot system and the Nissan Stadium house lighting system.

“Due to their hard work, the networking performed flawlessly,” said Carver.

Ayrton Khamsins provided front key wash due to their solid output from a great distance and framing shutter capabilities, while automated BMFL Followspot LTs were used for front spotlights.

“These were hung from the club level along with Khamsins, which allowed us to have follow spots on both east and west sides of the stadium without blocking any seats,” said Carver. “This allowed us to put the operators in one location out of the elements.”

Stage towers were outfitted with Elation Paladins as an IP rated pixel/strobe unit, Claypaky B-EYE K20s for pixel capabilities, general wash and 'eye candy', and GLP EXO Beams for beams and gobos in an IP rated housing and an LED engine.

“Around the outside rink we used 22 IP-rated Elation Proteus Hybrids,” said Carver. “These are a great spot/hybrid beam fixture that we used to create beams shooting into the sky. We also used the Chauvet COLORado Solo Battens to outline the walkways of both teams players’ entrances. The IP rating on most fixtures was crucial because this was an outdoor show in the elements and all the IP fixtures held up very well.”

In addition to the Bandit supplied gear, Carver also made use of Go Live Productions Edgelight, utilising the flexible LED product to outline the large logo on the east side of the stadium as well as the three downstage stage edges and sides of the performance stages.

“Lighting programmer André Petrus was instrumental helping to create unique looks for all of the musical artist involved, including Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, while also providing the backbone to the players introductions and National anthem,” said Carver.

Under the leadership of Gaffers Cole Kiracofe and Luke Carver, lead Bandit technician Mark Scherer and Bandit technicians Justin Wilk and Andrew Ellis installed the lighting package on time and kept working under pressure, utilising local labor from IATSE Local 46.

“This team’s hard work and great attitudes under extreme conditions led to a very successful show,” finished Carver. “I always appreciate the way Bandit comes through to make my designs reality and could not do it without their co-operation and partnership.”

“This was a fascinating project from concept to finale,” added Golden. “I cannot be any more complimentary toward Mark and Luke Carver as well as the NHL production staff involved. It was an honour to work with everyone involved in this massive undertaking and we offer our sincere thanks for being a part of this very special event.”

10th March 2022

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