Viewers of the 56th annual Grammy Awards got to see glittering recording stars, plus one of the most remarkable TV commercials in memory, both accompanied by dazzling light from the Nexus 4×4. Aside from gracing the main stage during the award ceremonies with the likes of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the high-output LED panel from CHAUVET Professional shined brightly during the Pepsi Grammy Half Time Show, a two-and-a-half-minute commercial.
Filmed at the LA Sports Arena, the commercial featured pro football legends Terry Bradshaw, Mike Ditka, Deion Sanders and Shannon Sharpe. The tongue-in-cheek spot was based on the simple premise that since music stars entertain fans during football game halftime shows, it’s only right that football stars return the favor by entertaining the TV audience during the recording industry’s big night. According to Todd Roberts of Visions Lighting (Brea CA), which provided all lighting, video and staging for the innovative commercial, “This was an unbelievable experience and I think the results speak for themselves. It was a really exciting 10 days for Visions Lighting, from getting the initial call to the completion of the project.”
A total of 40 Nexus 4×4 high-output COB LED panels were included in the lighting rig for the Pepsi Grammy Half Time Show. The Nexus panels, which can be controlled by Art-Net, Kling-Net or DMX protocols, came in for praise from Roberts, particularly for their “camera candy” ability to play well on TV.
“We used the Nexus as riser facia on the EDM stage,” said Roberts. “The cool thing was we had a Marlite floor, which is high gloss, so in the camera you get the reflection of Nexus panel’s light, which makes it look like we doubled the amount of light. The Nexus panels really popped on camera and everyone loved them. Some of our team had only seen Jarags before; and they liked the option that Nexus offered of using colors.”