Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1438629
. n honor of the shows thirtyfifth season, the aley enter for ediapresented Wheel of Fortune: 35 Years as America's Game, a oneofa kind exhibit showcasing the vast history, iconic memorabilia and entertaining videos of the show designed entirely by Wheels rt epartment. We spent two months designing, building and collecting all the visuals for each exhibit. From conceptualizing to building out the space, both done in os ngeles, to the preew ork load in for approvals and edits, to trucking the entire ehibit cross country and loading it in, and finally going back and striking the set a few months later. Because of the variety of work conditions we've experienced over the years, the design team was well positioned to work remotely and eciently during the pandemic. When production halted in arch , we uickly met with our show producers and director to discuss how to create a compliant set for the talent, contestants and crew. Our department was tasked with making the game play safe for everyone, but keeping the look, rhythm and the spirit of Wheel alive. The first big challenge was redesigning the main Wheel unit to create six feet of separation between the contestants and host at Saak. Set esigner ody acla and collaborate on all the sets, and for this design, started by working off the existing Wheel layout and repositioned the host farther around the curvature of the Wheel. By extending the length of the contestant railing and the panels below the rail, the heel seems bigger, but the overall size has not changed. Jody then takes over and draws up the set pieces, making a drawing package for the carpenter shop to build from. e were able to get the reised compliant set changes and completed drawings to the carpenter shop and oversaw the construction process, all while working remotely and staying on schedule. The second challenge was making sure the contestants could safely spin the Wheel and pick up items from the Wheel during each round of gameplay. ontestant spinning caps were soon incorporated into the show, or "The White Thing" as dubbed by host at Saak, who also referred to them as bike handle grips, and has made other fun references to it throughout the show. The fi, however you decide to refer to it, was conceived byShaun age, the ssistant rt irectorset decorator. Shaun looked for all types of methods to have the contestants safely spin without personally touching the spokes on the heel. fter eploring all options, white handle grips from swimming pool skimmer nets were chosen as the best solution due to the look, functionality and enough grip for contestants to hold onto the handle. s part of the gameplay, contestants pick up wedges and gift tags from the Wheel that they win during their turn, but when contestants lose those prizes, they normally hand those pries back to at Saak. To prevent multiple people from touching those items, designed bags specifically made to fit between A. COVID-COMPLIANT WHEEL REVISION. SET PHOTO. B. SEASON 38 CONTESTANT WHEEL GRIP. PHOTO BY CAROL KAELSON. A B