GLP LEDs in Pepsi Super Bowl LII Halftime Show
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For lighting designer Bob Barnhart of 22 Degrees, for whom this was his 20th involvement in the event (and ninth as principle LD) the extreme, sub-zero temperatures were just one of the many challenges he faced. The event required all his expertise.
Collaborating with set designer Bruce Rodgers of Tribe Inc, Nick Whitehouse, Justin Timberlake’s designer, and Josh Zangen (of Fireplay), he again drew heavily on GLP’s inventory to help illuminate Justin Timberlake’s show, which took place in eight different performance positions.
Barnhart explained, “JT was turning in so many different directions throughout the show, one of the biggest challenges was just keeping him lit properly. We had many different ‘key’ light looks, but it was quite the process coming up with all the proper angles, especially when you consider that we had to pick our final spot positions way back in September.”
The show opened in a basement ‘Laser Lounge’, doubling as the underpinning of the 360° stage, before JT emerged down the catwalk ramp, and duly used the full expanse of stage and then field (all of which were immersed in production lighting). Over the course of the 12 minutes, he not only worked through his catalogue of hits but paid homage to hometown boy Prince with I Would Die 4 U. But the show was as notable for the dance routines (including a huge field cast) as for the medley of hits.
With Tony Ward from PRG’s Los Angeles office again providing inventory (and acting as lead gaffer), supported by Travis Snyder, GLP’s tiny impression X1 was the first fixture to make its mark, with 67 of the tiny heads used in the initial club sequence. Then, as he emerged from the club and onto the field of play, 30 impression X4 lined the bridge.
Bob Barnhart again made extensive use of GLP’s hybrid GT-1 (as he had last year), deploying 74 in total on the main stage, with a further 20 X4 Bar 20 battens also mounted into the stage. Finally, 80 GLP JDC1 hybrid strobes were mounted behind the stage and set into the front of some of the stage panels.
The lighting director first got together with head of GLP Inc, Mark Ravenhill, at the LDI Show in November to discuss fixture choice. “I told him I needed a small format light for the beginning of the show. So, we looked at the X1 and I felt it would be a perfect fit,” he said. “Using a large amount of small fixtures I think helped to keep the room a little more mysterious and club like.
Bob Barnhart and his team managed to overcome all the challenges thrown at him - including a late decision by the NFL to cut all pyro and smoke, on the recommendation of broadcasters NBC - with the resultant impact on light beams, and a giant silk projection that was incredibly sensitive to air movement. “To top it off, the show ended in the audience, where anything could have happened.”
The lighting director paid tribute to his co-designers and the dynamic that had existed in the creative collaboration. “Bruce [Rodgers] did a great job of taking Timberlake’s idea of being all over the stadium, while Nick [Whitehouse] was good at keeping us in JT’s ‘world’ and helping everyone understand what he and the band needed and liked. I should also mention Pete Radice, David Grill, and Jason Rudolph, our three lighting directors.”
Finally, he reflected positively on his relationship with GLP, and the various roles played by the company’s fixtures. “GLP has been a true partner in our continuing efforts to bring something new and evocative to our shows,” he concluded. ”They have become a very solid manufacturer in the lighting industry, and as for support I cannot say enough about Mark Ravenhill and his team.”
(Jim Evans)
