TMS and Elation shine on Volleyball Day
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The event took place on 30 August at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, as part of the Volleyball Day in Nebraska celebration.
The University of Nebraska is known for its passionate support of its women’s volleyball team and the event drew an astounding crowd of 92,003 spectators. It marked a significant milestone for the world of women's sports and, according to the University, broke three records: Largest Volleyball Game Attendance Ever, Largest Attended Women's Sporting Event in the U.S., and Largest Attended Women's Sporting Event in the World.
Production company Theatrical Media Services (TMS), based in Omaha, has a long-standing relationship with the University of Nebraska that dates back to 2013 when the University’s basketball teams opened up Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. TMS provided pre-game and in-game lighting for the games and later provided lighting for a volleyball season at Bob Devaney Sports Centre.
TMS played a key role in illuminating the historic Volleyball Day concert by providing the lighting setup and Patrick Bressman of TMS played an integral part in crafting the layout. He explains that TMS also provided a truss structure for the occasion, which, under typical circumstances, would have featured a vinyl roof covering. However, due to sight line considerations at the stadium, it was intentionally left uncovered.
“The Proteus Lucius and Proteus Rayzor 1960 lighting fixtures were chosen for their IP65 rating as the stage was uncovered and weather conditions can be unpredictable,” he said. “But they were also chosen to deliver an impactful visual experience to the massive crowd.”
He emphasised that the goal of the lighting design was to ensure that every member of the massive crowd could share in the excitement of the event, regardless of their seating location. “I wanted the people who were sitting on the other end of the football field to be able to feel the same excitement that the people up close were feeling. We wanted to captivate attendees from all corners of the stadium and the Proteus fixtures delivered.”
The lighting setup featured 10 Proteus Lucius moving heads upstage, providing stunning beam effects and mid-air gobo displays. The 33,000-lumen fixtures garnered admiration from Patrick for their flat field and ability to create remarkable gobo projections, even rivalling video projections. “I even had some people ask me if I was projecting video when I had a colour gobo up which is a huge complement to the Lucius,” he stated. Patrick has used the Lucius, as well as Elation’s Artiste Monet, on past projects and says he admires the striking beams they produce.
The downstage area was adorned with 18 Proteus Rayzor 1960 fixtures with 19 x 60W RGBW LEDs, used mostly for their wash capabilities.
Patrick commends Elation for its dedication to innovation and customer feedback and lauds former sales rep Red Walter along with current sales rep Kraig Knight as instrumental in maintaining a strong partnership. “We couldn't be happier with the Elation products we have or the relationship we have with the company. When I give feedback on a product it actually feels like they do something with it to make the light better for us guys out on the road.”
