ABC is Chicago Scenic's 10,000th Customer
The highly coveted Chicago Scenic Customer #10,000 has finally been awarded, and ABC Television Production Services was the lucky winner.

Project Manager Ross Hamilton worked on this job which involved building set pieces that change ABC's Good Morning America Times Square set (which CSSI built and installed last year) into ABC's College Football Newscast Center. The new pieces, which fit into the existing set, can easily be switched in and out prior to the weekend for Saturday's football programming. See pictures on page three.

Some of the pieces include "Home Team" and "Away Team" window headers, two "Times Square Station" neon signs, a curved stadium sign to support the Times Square logo, and a wall structure to support the ABC Football logo. John Woodward led the construction through the shop.

To thank ABC, CSSI created a plaque and presented it and CSSI jackets to News Designer George Allison, Senior Director Roger Goodman, Director of Production Services Ken Crowell, and Production Manager Ivan Sobolov.

CSSI Designs and Builds WBBM-TV News Set
An experiment in television got underway in Chicago this spring, and CSSI played an integral role. WBBM decided to change the look of the local news by creating an evening news program anchored solely by Carol Marin, an icon in Chicago news.

Chicago Scenic created two custom desks for the program. The anchor desk was made to Ms. Marin's specifications, including spaces for her computer and paperwork. A separate desk for interviewing guests was also built. The challenge of designing this desk was making it small enough to foster an intimate atmosphere while still being large enough to allow for the proper camera shots.

CSSI also built new dark blue wall panels that mount into the studio's existing walls. Three rolling light boxes were built to break up the dark wall. They are removable to accommodate other broadcasts in the same area of the studio. In addition, one large, permanent light box was added which can be used as a green screen or to illuminate Chicago skyline photos.

Project Manager John Beckman worked closely with Ms. Marin and WBBM's Art Director Joan Brenz and Peggy Friedrich on this project. CSSI's Designer Angie Weber refined their ideas to finalize the design. Tim Steimle led the job through the shop and completed most of the construction himself.

WebFn Makes Its Premiere On the Internet
CSSI delved into a new medium when it designed and constructed two new sets for Weigel Broadcasting's latest project, WebFN. The financial news program is broadcast on their website, www.webfn.com.

The nearly identical sets were built to allow for smooth changeovers of anchors during the show's live, commercial-free broadcasts. CSSI's Design Manager Tom Ryan designed the sets to be in keeping with the high tech theme of the show by using modern-looking laminates, plastics, faux finishes and brushed aluminums.

Project Manager Mark Ewing worked with Bob Reichblum of Web FN, to complete the job successfully.

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