A total of five tractor trailers, two rolling stages, two generators and numerous additional support vehicles were used to provide mobile platforms for scenic and lighting elements. The largest technical challenge was the live television aspect, requiring the entire setup to occur in less than ten minutes, and following the event, the track had to be cleared in five minutes to allow the track lights to return to full intensity. The production staff spent a week on-site developing the lighting design to accommodate all required elements of the production.

Through the use of 24 automated lights, 16 color scrollers, 6 strobes, and 124 conventional Source 4 PARs, a lighting package was developed to not only illuminate for the television broadcast, but to excite the live audience of 200,000 as well as the national broadcast audience of millions. A color theme was developed for each team, using the automated lighting and scrollers, and as each team was introduced, the lights would change to that theme. The use of computerized lighting control allowed the final show order to be assembled on-site, following the qualifiers on the day of the event.

Front of house lighting positions were provided using two 70’ tractor trailers with two lighting towers bolted to each. These traveled in a lowered position, and once the trailer positioned were elevated to full height, angled to offset for the tilt of the track. A total of 72 Source Four PARs were used to provide sufficient illumination for the 180’ stage. All dimming and power was also mounted to the trailers, as well as a large generator. Conventional back light for the stage was provided by mounting 36 Source 4 PARs permanently to the scenic elements, focusing to light both the stage and the audience, and to provide lens flare for the cameras.

Coemar Panacycs were used to backlight each team behind a 26’ wide roll drop, allowing the backlight to change color for each team entrance while providing sufficient intensity to read on camera and to the live audience. As the team entered, the automated lighting would scan through the audience, for camera lens flare and to build audience excitement. A second generator powered the fixtures mounted to the three scenic trailers.

On-site rehearsals took place for three days prior to the event, allowing the production team of 12 to plan for all contingencies that can arise during a live broadcast. All technical aspects had online redundancy, ranging from data distribution to control consoles with battery backup, redundant power distribution and a technical staff standing by to implement backup plans in the event of any system component failure. For the event, the entire system was online and operating at full broadcast intensity and color within seven minutes, and all systems were capable of travel within four minutes of the show going off-air.