UpLight Technologies utilized Pulse Panel FX fixtures from Elation as a key component of the lighting design for the inaugural season of the Pro Cheer League January 16-March 27, delivering dynamic visual effects for the league’s national broadcast on ION Television. Positioned around the LED video wall as part of a larger lighting package, 16 Pulse Panel FX moving-panel effect lights formed a central visual layer within the set design, adding motion, depth, and energy to the environment.
UpLight Technologies, a boutique-style event production company based in Nashville, provides everything from gear rental and custom installs to fully realized, turnkey event design and productions. They joined the Elation dealer network in December after president and owner David Surbrook connected with Elation rep firm Luxsonix Group’s Lee Carpenter and demoed products including the Pulse Panel FX, Pulse Bar, and Paragon M.
“The Pulse Panels helped us create a lot of animation and excitement without distracting from the athletes,” said Surbrook, who also serves as production designer at UpLight Technologies. “Their flexibility made it easy to adapt looks in real time for a live broadcast.”
Featuring arrays of RGB and cool-white LEDs across its face and ideal for direct-view applications such as broadcast visuals, the Pulse Panel FX provided a versatile and adaptable solution to support team branding and accentuate live competition moments.
Customizable zone control opens a wide range of design possibilities, while built-in macros simplify programming and effect creation. Speed, direction, color, and size of the effect can all be adjusted, and with continuous 360° pan/spin and 180° tilt, the fixture offers an extra level of dynamism.
“They have some of the best macros out there, but they also allow us to do detailed pixel mapping,” Surbrook noted. “That flexibility is important in designing distinct looks for different teams and moments.”
The Pro Cheer League launched in 2026 as the first professional platform for athletes to continue cheerleading beyond high school and college. Teams compete in five events across U.S. cities, with the inaugural season reaching over 5 million viewers and setting a new benchmark for the sport. The Pro Cheer League has been renewed for a second season, with plans to expand to 6 teams and 10 events across the country, and will once again air on ION Television.
Production Personnel: UpLight Technologies
David Surbrook – Owner / Creative Director / Production Designer
James Mitchell – Video Designer & Systems Integrator
Zach Charles – LED Technician / Video Switch Operator
Brad White – Lighting Programmer & Operator
André Huff – Lighting Programmer & Operator
Brian Suchoki – Lighting Production Lead
Rhys Kiernan – Lighting Systems Technician
Scott Dupre – Audio System Lead
Rudy Sandoval – Production Lead, Varsity Spirit
About Elation
At Elation, we collaborate with leading professionals in the lighting industry to help bring extraordinary experiences to life. As a designer and manufacturer of a wide range of high-performance entertainment lighting products, we’re proud to be a trusted partner to top lighting professionals and production/rental houses around the world. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and creative solutions has made us a go-to resource in the industry. We also offer an advanced line of lighting control products through Obsidian Control Systems, and a full range of dependable specialty effects called Magmatic. Elation serves clients worldwide through offices in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Canada, and the Netherlands. We invite you to take a closer look at elationlighting.com
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