Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/780285
44 P E R S P E C T I V E | M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 1 7 The answer was simple: Justin Spitzer, Superstore's creator and executive producer, wrote a very funny and visual script and I wanted to be a part of it. Justin asked me if I could design and build a big box store on a couple of soundstages, and I said yes. There were only nine weeks to get it ready, so it was time to get Superstore smart real fast. After several design meetings with Justin, executive producer and pilot director Ruben Fleischer, and line producer Henry Lange Jr., the vision for the store was coming together. Early on, there was dialogue about shooting the series on location at an empty Ralphs store in Santa Clarita. I really felt we could build the Superstore world on stage and construct the exterior of the store on the NBCUniversal backlot as well. So that's what we decided to do. The production executives were fantastic. They were our front-line champions and supported my efforts to create Superstore here at the studio. They introduced me to my soon-to-be good friend and collaborator, construction coordinator Tomas Sallvin. Tomas and I both estimated the set independently (several times) and we both landed on the exact same numbers. I knew we saw this show from the same perspective. Design and budget conversations were unique. We were looking at 12,000 square feet of walls and nearly 24,000 square feet of ceiling and floor. Conversations revolved around getting lower prices for the drop ceiling and floor tiles to save a significant amount of money. Your perspective changes very quickly when you can reduce materials by even a cent each. I had a week before Cynthia McCormac and the rest of the crew started, so I went on a scout of Kmart, Target, Fresh & Easy and Ralphs. I had to get retail- savvy ASAP and start laying out the store. With the help of Set Designer Judy Cosgrove, SketchUp and Vectorworks ® models were built to study sightlines and to get the feel of the space. The interior of the store had to feel immense and expansive. Designing it was unlike anything I had ever done; all my instincts were backward. Every time I tried to add some interesting architectural detail or element, it made the space feel smaller. I realized the only way to succeed in making Previous pages, main image: A production photograph of the "Valentine's Day" episode, the fi nale of season two. Bottom, left to right: The pharmacy of the massive Cloud 9 store under construction on Stages 22 and 23 at NBCUniversal Studios. The interior of the grocery department under construction, with spaces for built-in freezers. The "Olympics" episode is a special one-off episode which aired between the fi rst and second seasons. The series stars America Ferrera (Amy), Colton Dunn (Garrett) and Ben Feldman (Jonah). This page, above: A SketchUp ® model built by Amy Heinz, a preliminary store concept for the massive set. Opposite page, top to bottom: A photo composite showing the café and bakery during construction and after being fully dressed. The front checkout counters with the café in the background. The store's customer service area.