Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1533577
the unparalleled expertise of Los Angeles' craftsmen, prop houses and specialized vendors, a collaboration few places in the world could rival. Executing a project of this magnitude required precise oversight. Along with François and myself supervising, the core team included Art Direction by Katrina Sainz, assisted by Alex Fowler, and art coordinator Samara Mitchell. We employed a small, but mighty Set Design team, Chris Cortner, James Addink, Claudia Ethridge and Graphic Designer Miguel Rosero. Furthermore, although their time on the project was brief, the contributions of Shannon Walsh, Prairie Trivuth, Elsa Mayuri, Sam Michlap and Daniel Madore were invaluable and made a lasting impact. How the Sausage Was Made One of the first and most important steps was to gather intel. In addition to pulling from the Library of Congress, the team uncovered elevations of the State Floor from McKim, Mead & White's historic renovation. Trips to the ADG archives and calls to crew from other shows provided a smattering of drawings which could be used as reference. One of the more pleasant surprises was discovering a warehouse of leftover scenery from the show First Ladies, shot in Atlanta. Katrina took on the formidable task of sorting through the vast inventory, selecting pieces that would travel well and add the most value. She prioritized smaller, essential items like fireplaces, decorative railings and hardware. This strategic haul proved invaluable, saving a significant amount of money, even after factoring in transportation to Los Angeles. Among the salvaged treasures were over a hundred doors, including the massive pocket sliders at each end of the Cross Hall, a dozen fireplaces and even the structural framework of the presidential elevator. (A fun fact: First Ladies had purchased the elevator from yet another show!) A. STAGE PLAN, CREATED IN ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BY A. TODD HOLLAND. B. STAGES 11/12 UNDER CONSTRUCTION SET PHOTO. C. LAYING PRINTED FLOOR BY DANGLING CARROT. SET PHOTO. D. FINISHED GRAND FOYER SET. SET PHOTO. A B C D