A PUBLICATION OF CHICAGO SCENIC STUDIOS, INC. SUMMER 2018 VOL. 27, NO. 3 StudioNews
Photos: Dak Dillon Photography
TV & FILM Vikings Broadcast Studio: A Game-Changing Environment Chicago Scenic Studios, under the scenic direction of design firm Provost Studio, fabricated and installed the new 1,750 sq. foot TCO Studios broadcast set for the NFL Minnesota Vikings. Chicago Scenic also worked with Lighting Design Group for lighting design and infrastructure, and Primeview Inc., for the on-set AV technology. The studio set is divided into four sections: the main life through our fabrication capabilities and successful We design, anchor desk and wall for traditional broadcasts, an collaboration.” informal area for more relaxed content, a social/ Many aspects of the studio were new challenges to interactive area featuring an 86-inch touchscreen, and a Chicago Scenic, including customizable signage capable build, and stand-up area equipped with three vertical screens. of accommodating myriad advertisers and sponsors. The goal of the TV set design and construction was to Incorporation of technology into the space was also feature cutting-edge technology that showcases the unique; the touchscreen monitors act as more than a manage team’s vast video content. Chicago Scenic built the focal point providing hosts the ability to break down main anchor desk and platform, monitor wall enclosure plays, highlight important moments and visibly interact solutions. and platforms, flooring, stand-up position and social with images of the game. media area. Additionally, Chicago Scenic crafted lighting The scenic pieces were fabricated in the Chicago Scenic arrangements and light boxes for each area. facilities, shipped to Minnesota after completion, and Fan engagement is critical to the success of any major a crew of 8 team members, lead by Juan Arriaga and league team, and the new studio aims to provide Vikings Jason Jones, completed the installation. viewers with insider access, while maintaining typical Chicago Scenic drew on their vast history in fabricating broadcast techniques. broadcast studios to successfully complete this project. “There was a heavy amount of drafting involved on That history includes the award winning webcast studio this project,” Project Manager Angelo Petratos said. “It’s recently completed for William Blair Investments. chicago scenic all about being able to bring the designer’s vision to studios, inc. CORPORATE BRANDING & EVENTS Royal Caribbean International
Photos: Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines The ObservatoriumTM is the newest series of Escape Rooms launched by Royal Caribbean International onboard the newly “amplified” Independence of the SeasSM and Mariner of the SeasSM. Both ships recently underwent massive renovations to the tune of over 100 million dollars per ship.
The ObservatoriumTM is a high tech, fully on materials and concepts. Chicago Scenic “ Value engineering for this project was a immersive escape room experience. The fabricated and installed the finished product, challenging juggle to control costs while concept for the Observatorium Saga is the while Chicago office of tech company Creative ensuring that the integrity of the build and the brain child of SVP, Entertainment Nick Weir, in Technology integrated the digital components longevity of the pieces was preserved,” Chicago collaboration with Puzzle Break, Design Duo, into the puzzle. Lighting design by David Scenic Project Manager Doug Pokorny said. “I’m Chicago Scenic Studios, David Warfel Lighting Warfel, Graphics by The Imagination House confident that the solutions we came up with Design and produced by Alison Frazier. and a custom soundtrack by David Roppolo for this project will survive the constant play culminate in a truly incredible guest experience. while still following and surpassing the original Players find themselves in an environment aesthetics of the design.” that transcends time and space, and features Part of the design focus for “The ObservatoriumTM ” rich wood bookcases, alcove light boxes, and was seamless integration—how to make the Pokorny said the team worked well together a magnificent 8-foot-long aluminum and steel scenic environment blend into the puzzles and it was their strong, open communication telescope on a rotating platform. Once inside while still leaving clues for game players to that drove the project forward. “It’s all about the ObservatoriumTM, guests collaborate with decipher. staying connected and sculpting trust,” friends old and new, as they attempt to find Pokorny said. “Know your capabilities and use As part of the design process, before fabrication the clues, solve the puzzles and unravel the them to establish great working relationships.” was complete, Chicago Scenic recruited 120 mystery before time runs out. people to test the escape room’s challenging While much of the project took place in- Puzzle Break, cofounded by Nate Martin and puzzles. Over the course of four days, teams house, Chicago Scenic sent a team of project Lindsay Morse, the first American escape of at least four people from ages 13 and managers, scenic painters, and carpenters room company and creator of the first escape older visited each room at least four times to to install the escape room when the ship was games on the high seas, designed the puzzles determine whether Puzzle Break’s concepts in dry dock. Chicago Scenic’s team members of the game, including clues that overlap were was too easy or too difficult, and whether travelled to the Bahamas and Cadiz, Spain and paths that trace the clues back to the or not the puzzles could be completed in the to reassemble the pieces of the escape room source of the solution. Design Duo, comprised allotted desired time. Based on the testing that they fabricated shipped weeks before. of production designers Gerry Hariton and results, the Puzzle Break team then made The space was tight and confined, but Chicago Vicki Baral, crafted the specific elements of adjustments to ensure the finished puzzles Scenic coordinated schedules with Royal the game and brought Puzzle Break’s vision wereas solvable, challenging and engaging. Caribbean crews so each group accomplished to life and coordinated with Chicago Scenic their tasks on time.
CHICAGO SCENIC STUDIOS Photos: Dennis Harezlak MUSEUMS SPROUTS Learning Lab teaches science by playing with a purpose
Chicago Scenic Studios partnered with Peter and with museum artifacts such as seashells and cranium above the “Conversation Pit” is the “Cloud of Wonder,” Sharon Exley of Architecture is Fun to create the skeletons. an assortment of taxidermy animals perched atop Sprouts Learning Lab, an interactive exhibit where suspended, adjustable rails. Chicago Scenic worked To the side of the “Conversation Pit,” a set of steps science is brought to a child’s level as they touch, with Burpee and Architecture is Fun to create a design lead up to a large maroon T-Rex silhouette on the wall. experiment and play, at the Burpee Museum of Natural concept, including technical drawings, a materials Children can place objects in various shadow boxes History in Rockford, IL. list and list of recommended collection pieces to anchored to the wall to give the Dino a “mini makeover,” purchase and display. The creation of SPROUTS emerged from the concept complete with new teeth and claws. The “Dino Wall” is of using a discovery approach in exhibit design; Burpee made from an acrylic vinyl dinosaur decal and provides Project Manager Jacqueline Johnson worked closely wanted an exhibit centered around the development touchable specimens, not only giving children the with Burpee Museum staff to find materials that were of a child’s natural curiosity to encourage children to opportunity to discover, but to also “connect the dots” both affordable and durable, and provided value role play as different scientific careers for a meaningful and figure out what piece goes where. engineering solutions to the challenge of the large experience. project. Through strategic design, Johnson said she As you look overhead, a majestic owl prepares to feels the exhibit was a success and encompassed the The entire exhibit was specifically designed low to the take flight while just underneath a sleepy badger look and feel of the original concept. ground, making sure young children could touch and cozies up to a perky, energetic chipmunk. These and interact with pieces of the collection. The focal point of more creatures are housed in three five-sided acrylic “When you’re designing for children, safety, durability, the exhibit is the U-shaped multi-level “Conversation vitrine boxes Chicago Scenic constructed, with domes and flexibility are our top priorities,” said Johnson. “We Pit,” a main interactive seating and display area. The protruding on each side. The boxes were secured to used high quality materials that are durable enough structure has many open and closed built-in cubbies the ceiling using Klem clamps and telestrut, providing to withstand tremendous use, as well as rounding all where children have the opportunity to touch and play a strong, sustainable connection. Hanging directly corners so the exhibit’s edges weren’t a safety hazard.”
THEATRE
Northwestern University’s School of Communication leak. The downstage face was a projection screen Northwestern’s “Starry hosted “A Starry Night”, an alumni benefit to raise dressed in a scrim. funds and celebrate the department, as part of their Variety Show” features shining The shards in front of the screen added a dazzling 2018 spring events. effect, and were divided into large panels pre-wired stars and dazzling designs The stage was aglow with alumni stars such as with LED nodes. Chicago Scenic’s custom-designed Heather Headley (Broadway’s The Lion King), Ana pixel-mapped shards were programmed to twinkle at Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live) and host Stephen various times, in a variety of speeds and colors, and Colbert (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert). Colbert with a variety of effects. also appeared in a video monologue alongside fellow Chicago Scenic performed as much work as possible alum Seth Meyers (Late Night with Seth Meyers). offsite so the time the team spent in the Gala space Chicago Scenic collaborated with Northwestern MFA was solely dedicated to efficient installation. With student designers to take their design concepts and an event of this size and numerous moving pieces, bring them to life. Chicago Scenic needed to be as thorough as possible.
Chicago Scenic had several rolls in the event, including Four supervisors were assigned to oversee the load in partical set design, and scenic construction and and out, and local labor was employed to assemble installation of the main deck, which featured a custom and strike. curved facade, the proscenium arch crafted from Project Manager Stefan Koniarz said this project aluminum tube, and MDF-covered chrome vinyl shards especially demonstrated Chicago Scenic’s exceptional with programmable internal LED lighting. collaborative efforts. “We can take design concepts, The proscenium posed a challenge because like the ones from Northwestern MFA students, and of required weight specifications, but Chicago make them a reality through technical design and Scenic’s metals and carpentry teams were up to the feasibility.” challenge. The truss needed to support the weight Koniarz noted communication as one of the key of the internal lighting, and was blacked out on the factors in the success of this project. inside, outside and upstage faces to prevent light Photo: NU School of Communication, Jasmin Shah, and Sean Su
StudioNews | Summer 2018 L O O K I N G B A C K 40 Years of Sports Entertainment Chicago Scenic may have started as an off-loop theatre set design and construction company, but it has grown to be so much more. Over the years, we have developed relationships with local and national sports professionals. Here is a look at some of our sports related projects.
1994 2007 2007 World Cup NFL Opening Chicago Bears Day Ceremony Celebration
2012- 2015 2016 Pepsico’s NFL Draft Helmets Big Ten Network Studios
2013 & 2014- 2015 2015 present Chicago Bulls Advocate Center Blackhawks Stanley NFL Honors Cup Celebration
2015 2016 Adidas Pop Up Chicago Cubs Store World Series Celebration
CORPORATE BRANDING & EVENTS Golden Arches Make Chicago Scenic project managed the turnarounds, the grand opening event grand opening corporate event to provide posed a challenge as the team was under a Home in Chicago tables, chairs, and dozens of red and a strict 2-week timeframe. Chicago Scenic gold umbrellas to seat and shade the helped coordinate the day of the event 200+ guests that attended the building’s for Producer Pam Kalish from Kindle unveiling. Communications and Fuse Creative Group. Guest safety was a priority, so Chicago Scenic’s team installed a wooden curb Project Director Gary Heitz said that extension between the curb and parking projects like this one give Chicago Scenic’s Photo: Kindle Communications Kindle Photo: bollards to prevent tripping. team the opportunity to demonstrate their reliability and ensure project success While Chicago Scenic’s crews are even under tight deadlines. accustomed to working on fast