Canon Hosts a Picture-Perfect Show
Producer Chris Virtuoso of MC2, a presence-marketing agency, hired CSSI to help with Canon’s DSF show (Digital Solutions Forum) at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The annual show gives Canon the opportunity to demonstrate their new products in real business environments. Chicago Scenic created the two major scenic environments for the event. Project Managers Ross Hamilton and Rick Boultinghouse worked closely with Production Designer Paul DuPass and Technical Director Duane VanderWerf. Tim Steimle was the primary job lead on the project, which sped through the CSSI shop in less than three weeks.

Mark Rubinsky of MJM Creative was the executive producer for the first major scenic element at the show, which was a theater and stage set. To create the space, CSSI’s Andy Lemerand welded a 22-by-44-foot solid wall that served as a backing for space, in addition to three 22-by-44-foot steel frames that were covered with transparent graphic vinyls to add depth onstage when theatrically lit.

To enter the theater space visitors had to go through what appeared to be soundstage doors, finding themselves in a tiered theater with a stage. This space was used for an opening video module, and when it was over, the steel wall was dramatically flown up in the air and the transparent graphic vinyls slid to the sides allowing guests to walk through the set and into the main exhibit space.

The second major scenic element CSSI created was a 6,000-square-foot support deck and seven office vignettes representing Canon’s multiple commercial business markets including health services, color publishing, legal services, financial services, education, law enforcement, and general office applications. Paul DuPass designed these vignettes to give the impression that the guests had just stepped into a TV commercial for each business area. Mike Zaremba led the construction and installation of the office vignettes and Kevin Taylor and Amy Holsman were the principle painters on the job.

CSSI Makes A Scene at the Chicago Auto Show
Chicago Scenic Studios helped Volkswagen and General Motors create eye-catching displays for their press events at the Chicago Auto Show that took place at McCormick Place this year.

Producer Scott Vacek of MVP Communications hired Chicago Scenic to help create an exciting reveal for Volkswagen’s press event. To conceal the 20th anniversary edition of the GTI, CSSI constructed a box truss structure in which the top, sides, and back were covered in black commando cloth. The front of the structure consisted of a center RP screen with left and right walls covered in printed graphics. Below the screen was a paper graphic panel that allowed the car to burst through for a dramatic entrance during the press event. Project Manager Mark Ewing worked with Designer Andy Warfel on the project and Mike Zaremba served as the job lead.

With the help of CSSI, General Motors added finishing touches to their press event at the Chicago Auto Show. Project Manager Mark Ewing worked with Designer Jaki Johnson to create two GM Chevy bow-tie logos to finish the look of an existing booth for the press event. The five-foot-wide logos were made of high finish wood and completed with a vinyl graphic. The signs were then backed by white neon to create a halo effect, making them pop off the panels to which they were attached. Steve Swanson was the technical director for Jack Morton Company of Detroit, the producer for the press event.

CSSI also provided 30-foot-high silver-grey column covers and drapery to the Term Group and Exhibit Group Giltspur to better integrate GM’s booth into the South Building at McCormick Place.

Comcast Holds Meeting for New Employees
When Comcast Cable Communications merged with AT&T Broadband to provide cable service to the Chicago area, they called on Chicago Scenic to help them get to know their new employees. Project Manager Ross Hamilton worked with Comcast’s Fred Prigge, Joe Higgins, and Vice President Pat Keenan to plan a one-day business meeting for 4,000 AT&T- turned-Comcast employees to be introduced to the company’s new executives at the Arie Crown Theater. TV personality Bill Curtis moderated the event and led discussions about Comcast’s new plans for service in Chicago.

CSSI provided scenery and technical production management for the event, and coordinated the efforts of vendors and Arie Crown staff. Sue Kaip repainted and refinished CSSI’s cityscape profile-cut set which was rented by Comcast for the meeting. Andy Lemerand was the job lead on the project and supervised the installation.

Morgan Stanley Gets Versatile
Chicago Scenic recently designed and built a modular set for Morgan Stanley’s regional directors’ meetings. The set traveled to meetings in Las Vegas and Miami. Project Manager Rick Boultinghouse worked with David Swift and Robin Trew of Productions Unlimited to complete the project on time and on budget.

CSSI Designer Robert Kovach used Productions Unlimited’s “Building a New Business” concept to create a set that looks like a high-rise building during the final stages of construction. The set consisted of a series of painted panels that were made to look like concrete slabs and wood appliqués made to look like oxide red I-beams, complete with gussets and rivets. Images of a skyline were digitally printed onto vinyl backdrops to depict a view of the city from above.

The set was created with hidden seams to allow for greater flexibility in breaking down and reconfiguration. The set was so versatile that it was used not only for business meetings but also as a backdrop for banquets, classroom sessions, and even for live entertainment. The set had three video screens, one placed in the center of the room for presentation graphics and two side screens were used to project images of the speaker.

Job Lead Tim Steimle supervised the job through the CSSI shops and led the installation process onsite.

<<Back to Corporate Presentations
<<Back to Spring 2003 Newsletter