LAS VEGAS – Pyrotek Special Effects and its sister company Laser Design Productions brought rock effects to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The April 1 show took place at the MGM Grand Arena and Mandalay Bay. Lasers, fire and more show-stopping effects enhanced performers Carrie Underwood, newcomer Brantley Gilbert and Luke Bryan.
More details from Pyrotek Special Effects (http://www.laserdesignproductions.com):
LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas turned country as the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards rolled into town. The April 1 awards ceremony took place at the MGM Grand Arena, and with too many wild performances for one venue, Mandalay Bay was also used to showcase the year’s biggest acts in country music. Pyrotek Special Effects and its sister company Laser Design Productions provided some of the night’s breathtaking effects.
The show opened with Carrie Underwood, who brought the house to its feet with “Good Girl.” Laser Design Productions, headed up by President Lorenzo Cornacchia and Director of Operations Victor Tomei, worked with Raj Kapoor to create the pink and white laser looks for the routine. Laser programmer Eric Taylor operated five laser systems including three 30 watt full color and two 25 watt full color lasers to the performance. One 30 watt was hung in the center truss to create the white cage cone effect, and the performance’s downstage looks, while two more were hung 15 ft. high on an upstage lighting truss shooting pink light straight out over the audience. Two more were also rolled out and placed stage left and right of the center ramp for Underwood’s performance.
Newcomer Brantley Gilbert performed “Country Must Be Country Wide.” Designer Cornacchia worked closely with Brian Stonestreet and Alana Billingsley to devise the look for the performance. Four 7-ft. Dragon systems lit up the stage from behind the band, as Gilbert strutted around the stage which was decorated with two motorcycles. Along with the dragon tails, Pyrotechnician Kevin Hughes also operated 10 Cryo Jets used throughout the performance.
Luke Bryan had one of the night’s most talked about performances with “I Don’t Want This Night To End.” The design of the performance, with the input of Production Manager Pete Healey, was given the Rock n’ Roll kick with the addition of 11 green lasers. Lasers were placed upstage left and right in between band risers, as well as in the upstage truss, and on the LED video walls stage left and right. Six Cryo Jets, operated by Pyro Shooter Gregg Pearson, blasted at upstage center while Bryan finished his performance.
The awards ceremony was seen by 12.8 million viewers.
