The Carolina Opry Theater Upgrades with Elation Professional High Resolution LED Video Display

	The Carolina Opry Christmas special, "The Christmas Show of the South," at the Calvin Gilmore Theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with Elation Professional's EZ6 LED video panels.

The Carolina Opry Christmas special, "The Christmas Show of the South," at the Calvin Gilmore Theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has brought the spirit of Christmas to life with music, comedy, and dance for over 27 years. Adding a fresh visual element to the stage, and helping to transform the theater into a winter wonderland, is a large backdrop LED video screen made up of Elation Professional EZ6 LED video panels supplied by Elation dealer JR Lighting Design, Inc.

JR Lighting Design president Jason Reberski discussed LED video product options with The Carolina Opry's Paul Sweetman, lighting designer on the show. "I recommended the Elation EZ6 product since Paul and The Carolina Opry team was looking for a relatively high resolution video system," Reberski stated. "They were originally planning on it coexisting with digital projection in their show and I was confident that the 6-millimeter pixel-pitch of the EZ6 at the required viewing distance would be perfect."

After arranging for an Elation factory visit for Carolina Opry founder Calvin Gilmore in order for him to get a first-hand feel for the EZ6, the decision was made to go with the product. Reberski and The Carolina Opry worked closely with Elation product specialist Red Walter, who provided specification and integration support while aiding in installation and commissioning of the system.

"The addition of the EZ6 LED screen adds a significant boost in production-value and the crisp, bright imagery that is now being integrated into the show dazzles audiences daily," Reberski says of the high resolution panels. Not only do they provide uniform color and high contrast for a sharp image, their lightweight modularity makes them easy to work with, the company says.

Lighting designer and Carolina Opry lighting technician Sweetman works with the panels on the show on a daily basis. He commented, "We are very happy with Red's expertise (Elation's Darrin Walter), the Elation service and the EZ6 product, which has really created and inspired expansion possibilities." Production manager, video director, and content designer on the show is Wendy Sweetman.

The Elation LED screen has had a busy schedule since its installation in early November with some 26 three-hour Christmas shows running over a single 15 day period. "The Christmas Show of the South" runs at the 2,200-seat theater through January 4.

"The EZ6 is a popular new product and we had a very tight installation window but Elation came through," Reberski concludes. "Red's knowledge and assistance was invaluable to everyone involved and I give the highest praise to the Elation team who provided top-notch support both on the dealer and end-user levels."

See Elation Professional at PLASA Focus: Nashville, February 18 - 19, 2014.