Dodge's Chicago Auto Show Press Event Was a Spectacular Blow-Out
With the help of CSSI, the 2004 Chicago Auto Show Dodge Press Event was a real blow-out. Working for events and communication company Clear!Blue, CSSI was contracted to build the event’s stage which included inflation mechanisms for an impressive reveal of the new Dodge Ram truck model, confetti cannons, and specialized lighting within the stage itself. As the progression of photos shows, when the press walked in, the stage appeared to hold the typical car-under-a-sheet reveal. But as the show progressed, the sheet inflated into a huge globe which
burst open to reveal the new Dodge Ram.

Chicago Scenic’s Pete Rahill, director of projects, worked with Clear!Blue’s producer Laura Mackiewicz. The stage was designed by Duke Durfee, Dave Campanile was the technical director, the inflatable was provided by CMEANN Productions, Inc., special effects were done by Excitement Technologies Group, Inc., and Lightswitch was the lighting company. CSSI’s Tim Steimle led the job through the shop.

Dynamic Set Wows Crowd at Takeda's National Meeting
Working with Jack Morton Worldwide, CSSI again took on building the set for Takeda Pharmaceutical’s national sales meeting. Designed by James Joy, CSSI constructed the triangular-shaped stage that featured a huge four-projector screen. The scenery extended from either side of the stage to fully reach out to the audience.

These side sections were made up of individual hanging panels with a single line of LED monitors overhead. The panels were made of a fiber-impregnated paper product which held its shape well and provided the perfect backdrop for lighting designer John Featherstone.

Lighting was also an important component of the four large columns that flanked the stage and side sections. These were designed to have mirrors at the top and to accommodate automated lighting units in their bases. Besides enabling the columns to have a variety of looks, Featherstone made it appear that the columns were actually rotating atop the steel tubing that supported the capitals.

Project Manager Gary Heitz worked with Executive Producer Michelle Faulknor and Pam Kalish of Jack Morton Worldwide and CSSI’s Wayne Adams was the job lead.

McDonald's Hosts Worldwide Convention
The Golden Arches shone brightly at the 2004 McDonald’s Worldwide Convention, held in Florida this March. Working with Jack Morton Worldwide, Chicago Scenic built the major set pieces for this international meeting, designed by Eddie Kanasiak.

The large stage, constructed by SGA, was built with ramps to support the Bentley used in the show. On the stage were huge gold grid panels covered in gold leaf that traveled to different positions on the stage. Two giant arches on either side of the stage served as projection surfaces during the meetings. The entire staging and drapery was rigged to reveal the tradeshow which was behind it.

CSSI played an instrumental part in the filming of a video piece that was showed at the convention. The film was created in our shop using the bus shelters CSSI is currently constructing (see page 3 for details on this project) to make it appear that the movie took place outside. Actors pretended to paint one of the convention’s backdrops so that attendees could see how it was done.

Project Manager Gary Heitz worked with producers Kevin Howell and Pam Morgan of Jack Morton Worldwide, David Graham of Borealis Events was the technical director, and CSSI’s Andy Lemerand was the job lead.

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