| The
2005 NBA Finals
A Time To Shine
Lighting
Product Stories Published: 22 July 2005
On June 9, 2005, the 2005 NBA Finals kicked-off with Game 1 of the
Detroit Pistons versus the San Antonio Spurs championship series.
But behind the scenes, lighting designer Randy Nordstrom, and the
rest of the NBA production team, had already run the fast break.
With a lighting package supplied by Bandit Lites, the production
team headed by NBA veterans Rob Baxter and Larry Sedwick was set
and ready for tip-off.
“My hat goes off to all the production staff involved in
the NBA Finals,” says Bandit Lites Vice President Mike Golden.
“Watching the NBA production team go through the scramble
of surveying the final team venues and then detailing their equipment
needs and lighting plan was truly impressive.”
On Monday, June 6th, the Detroit Pistons beat the Miami Heat to
win their second consecutive Eastern Conference Championship. The
San Antonio Spurs had closed out their series with the Phoenix Suns
five days earlier to claim the Western Conference Championship.
With the participants for the 2005 NBA Finals now in place, the
championship series was set to begin on Thursday, June 9th, in San
Antonio, TX.
With only two days until tip-off, two fully loaded semi-trucks
parted ways and headed to Detroit and San Antonio. The lighting
package for the NBA Finals consisted of 26 VL3000™ spot luminaires,
6 VL2500™ spot luminaires, 28 Mac 2000 wash units, 8 Mac 600
units, 54 ETC Source Four units, 2 Grand MA lighting control consoles,
along with Electrol and CD80 digital dimmers.
“For the finals, we used what we call our ‘medium’
rig with the VL3000™ spots and the Mac 2000 wash lights configured
in a ‘U’ shape along the upstage side of the court,”
said Nordstrom. “We also used the VL2500™ spots as floor
eye candy on rolling trusses, along with the Mac wash lights.”
NBA events, such as the championship series, are an interesting
compromise between crowd entertainment and a live television broadcast.
Many of the NBA executives, major NBA underwriters, and about 30,000
screaming fans are packed into the excited arena, so a delicate
balance must be met.
“The main goal is to heighten the excitement factor for the
event as a whole with that extra pizzazz and flash,” continued
Nordstrom. “Then you have to be able to satisfy the television
requirements as far as lighting coverage is concerned, which means
controlling exposure and balance while retaining the ‘live’
feel.”
Choosing the correct lights to achieve this balance is a crucial
decision. A decision that Nordstrom does not take lightly.
“At the 2004 All-Star game in LA we went over budget with
our lighting package, so when the 2005 All-Star game came under
budget pressure, we made a lot of compromises in the lighting package
that we chose,” stated Nordstrom. “After that show ended,
the line producer told me that he would never force me to into that
situation again. He specifically mentioned the need for the VL3000™
spots, without my prompting. If producers notice the difference
and can cite a brand, what more need I say?”
Once the semi-trucks arrived in San Antonio and Detroit, the lighting
crew began the installation. They were given one day to load-in
and set-up. As the lighting rig was put into place, Nordstrom was
pleased to have VARI*LITE back on the court. “I personally
feel that the VL3000™ spot is far and away the best 1200w
spot fixture available; nobody else even comes close. There is no
other manufacturer that I have worked with who puts out lights that
matches the VARI*LITE reliability and output.”
After the rig was firmly in place, they had a second day to complete
the programming and run a rehearsal before the start of Game 1 the
following day.
On Thursday, June 23, 2005, The San Antonio Spurs claimed their
3rd NBA championship in six years with a win over the Detroit Pistons
in Game 7 of a highly excitable championship series. They did it
with a complete team effort; with all members playing as one.
The same could be said for the lighting package.
“When you are lighting an arena for an event such as the
NBA Finals, all the lights, lighting controls, lighting technicians,
and lighting suppliers such as Bandit Lites have to work as one,”
concluded Nordstrom. “And this year, it was perfect. Everyone,
from the NBA executives to the fans in the top row, had a great
time at the games. The live broadcasts went off very well and I
can’t wait till next year.”
ABOUT
VARI-LITE
As a leading designer, manufacturer, and distributor of premiere
automated lighting systems, Vari-Lite provides equipment and services
to the entertainment industry, serving such markets as concert touring,
theatre, television, film, cruise lines, houses-of-worship, and
corporate events. Vari*Lite® automated lighting systems are
available through a worldwide network of independent professional
dealers. Dallas-based Vari-Lite is a division of Genlyte Group,
LLC (NASDAQ symbol – GLYT); partnered with Entertainment Technology
and Lightolier Controls. For more information log-on to www.vari-lite.com.
|