Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/610353
P E R S P E C T I V E | N OV E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 69 a 22 x 32 foot mid-level forestage that facilitated the entrance of the participants. There were also the physical needs of the mass: a Papal chair, altar ambo (a type of raised pulpit), lectern and the cross. René continues, "I used Larry Hoy, of Renovata Studios in Port Chester, NY, to create the cross. I had used him on a previous project to build a Papal chair. He did a great job." The cross itself was gold-leafed in two different shades. Seating arrangements during mass were also a concern. René explains, "There's a very strict layout of who sits where, dictated by the Vatican with details concerning the type of chairs and stools. All of the seating had to precisely be laid out according to the liturgic order." Through the entire process, René worked closely with Father Gill at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and, to some extent, the Vatican. "It was very important to all of us that this Below: Mr. Lagler's digital model of the shell and stage dressed for the Festival of Families concert for Pope Francis, hosted by Mark Wahlberg, with appearances by Aretha Franklin and comedian Jim Gaffigan. The backing included an eighty-foot-wide staggered LED wall, hung on a sixty-foot radius truss. Bottom, left to right: A production photograph of the evening concert, lighted by Ted Wells and Dave Thibodeau of Full Flood Inc. Another view of Mr. Lagler's model, showing the orchestra section which had to be confined to only half the stage to allow room for the Pope's retainers, and requiring extraordinary cooperation from the musicians.