Tom Kenny Enlists Elation Rebel Line for NHL Draft

	"We incorporated the Rebel lines as an extension of the set," says Kenny. "They were located downstage on each side of the stage -- five on each side -- and used them as eye candy for the Steadicam and wide shots."

When the NHL Draft returned June 26-27, 2026, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, lighting designer Tom Kenny was once again tasked with creating a visual experience worthy of one of hockey's highest-profile events. Twelve Elation Rebel Line 16 linear tilt bar fixtures, supplied by 4Wall, played a key role in extending the set design and adding dynamic visual effects throughout the broadcast.

A veteran lighting designer known for his work across major television broadcasts and touring productions, Kenny has a history of incorporating emerging lighting technology into real-world applications. For the NHL Draft, which required lighting to match the event's caliber, he selected the Rebel Line 16 to complement the set's elegant aesthetic while providing the versatility needed for a demanding live broadcast environment.

"We incorporated the Rebel lines as an extension of the set," says Kenny. "They were located downstage on each side of the stage -- five on each side -- and used them as eye candy for the Steadicam and wide shots."

Kenny notes that the fixtures fit naturally into the overall design while providing the output needed to stand alongside the rest of the lighting system.

"I enjoyed the brightness and easy color change, and they fit right in with our very elegant look," he says. "I liked the color, weight, and tricks I saw. Their brightness cut through all the other lights and was on par with all the other effects. They have some lovely features, but my favorite were the SparkX effects and chases Fuji created with them. Their pan and tilt functions are very quick, and they're basically silent, so audio loved them."

The Rebel Line 16 is a 2x 8-cell, 1-meter linear tilt bar fixture delivering more than 25,000 lumens of output from 60W RGBL LEDs. The fixture's RGBL color system is complemented by 5W CW SparkX LEDs, which create striking cool-white crisscross aerial effects over RGBL backgrounds, adding another dimension of creative possibilities.

Freelance gaffer Brian Carico worked with Kenny on the NHL Draft for the second consecutive year and has previously collaborated with Elation on the project. In 2024, the NHL Draft took place at The Sphere in Las Vegas, where the team utilized Elation Pulse Panel FX fixtures. "It's been a great partnership," says Carico. "It's been a great way for us to see some new lights from Elation a little bit more in-depth and on an actual application."

Carico worked with Elation representative William Irwin to bring the Rebel Line 16 fixtures into the production. "We intended them to be on the stage, but as the set developed, we decided to put them on the bottom row on each side of the stage," he explained. "It really added another layer-a nice line of lighting to accentuate the set. They were really brighter than what we had anticipated and were the first lights everyone saw on stage."

The Rebel Line fixtures were used throughout the broadcast, adapting to the event's changing visual requirements. "As teams were called out, they adjusted to match the team's color scheme," Carico said, adding that they used them as wash lights and for pixel effects. "The whole color palette was useful to match the rest of the rig and the different team colors."

Carico also highlighted the impact of the fixture's SparkX effects. "I really like the sparkle effects in the fixture," he says. "We used that, for example, during a Trade Alert look, where everything went to red with sound effects. We accentuated that with the SparkX."

The Rebel Line's uninterrupted linear lens system produces a continuous line of light with no visible breaks between cells, while a fast 4 - 35-degree zoom and 210-degree tilt movement unlock a wide range of dynamic looks. Programmer David "Fuji" Convertino praised the fixture's movement capabilities and flexibility for creating dynamic looks. "Having the two separate tilt sections makes it really fun for waterfall effects," he says. "I was impressed that a linear fixture head can tilt as fast as it does."

Fuji explored the full range of the Rebel Line's effects capabilities during the broadcast, using both the RGBL engine and SparkX technology. "The SparkX feature was fantastic in how it enhanced making FX with the RGBL engine," he says. "Running them in full mode really made it possible to use every feature the light has to offer."

The fixture's output also stood out to Fuji, who noted its ability to compete with the other high-powered fixtures in the rig: "The LED brightness was great for making nice dimmer and color gradients, and the brightness of the SparkX LEDs was very impressive to see at all angles."

With an adjustable LED refresh rate that works in tandem with high-speed cameras, the Rebel Line 16 delivered the visual impact required to enhance everything from subtle set accents to high-energy selection moments on one of the most high-profile stages in sports, the company says.