Bandit Lites once again provided the lighting for the stage where host Lara Spencer greeted thousands of eager fans who had braved the rain. In addition to the musical performances, the first two awards of the night were presented with Maddie and Tae taking home Best Music Video of the Year for Girl in a Country Song and Keith Urban and Eric Church winning Musical Event of the Year for their collaboration on Raise 'Em Up.
With Good Morning America beginning literally in the early morning before the sun rises, lighting designer Mark Carver knew that the transition from night to dawn to would be a challenge. "I need versatile fixtures that would be clearly seen in both environments," said Carver, who also had to account for the lighting working both for television and the live audience.
For that versatility, Bandit provided GLP Spots Ones, Martin MAC Auras, Aryton Magic Panels, GLP X4S's, Color Blazes, Clay Paky Cyc FX's, Lycian M2s and GRNLite LED pars.
"The fixtures help in setting a tone and mood that fits each song, and provide background for the camera shots," Carver said. "Mark teamed up with Victor Fable to design the lighting for the GMA stage this year, and they make an incredibly talented and professional team," said Bandit's vice president Mike Golden. "I also commend the staff at ABC for their continued support and efforts to make this event bigger and better each year." Carver credits Bandit's team with a "flawless performance", including lighting director and programmer John Lucksinger, techs Charles Smith, Cody Cheatham and Bandit project manager Matt King, adding, "They met every deadline."
(Jim Evans)
