Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542693
4 8 P E R S P E C T I V E J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6 his "nest." Luckily, we had firsthand accounts from the real Jeff Manchester about his time at the store. In addition, property master Romain Gateau meticulously read the detailed police reports from Jeff's case, then purchased every item listed. As Channing was preparing for his first scenes in the nest, we scoured the store together, and picked out items he liked, which he then set up himself on camera. The prop team and I added additional layers as time unfolded in the story. My idea was to evolve the nest from a dusty, neglected space to a warm and cozy spot. It was a strange but endearing man-child cave, where nostalgic childhood knickknacks co-existed with guns and tactical gear. Finally, the day we had all been waiting for arrived. Crew, producers, and actors started filing in. As they entered our store for the first time, many crew members were overtaken with emotion. Some had tears in their eyes when they encountered their favorite childhood toys on the shelves. People were walking the isles in awe, commenting on every section and item. Producers were face-timing their investors to show off the set. For me, the most meaningful compliment came from Derek. He turned to me and said: "Now I have to make the movie as good as your set." For the Art Department, this was a very fulfilling moment, after days of exhausting work and sleepless nights filled with toy nightmares. Our shoot was bookended by a similarly fulfilling achievement, that of emptying the store after wrapping the film. Our team coordinated with a variety of foundations and nonprofit organizations to arrange mass donations. We also invited our crew and their families to purchase toys at a very discounted rate. Since we wrapped around Christmas, toys were literally snatched off the shelves. It was heartwarming to see our crew's families walk around the store pushing Toys "R" Us carts full to the gills. The best part was welcoming children of crew members, and watching their unbridled excitement. One day, they may look back at this as their favorite toy store memory. It definitely is mine. ADG A. FINISHED TOYS "R" US SET. SET PHOTO. B. CHANNING TATUM ON TOYS "R" US SET. PRODUCTION STILL BY DAVI RUSSO. Inbal Weinberg, Production Designer Shawn D. Bronson, Art Director Diana Rehnlund, Set Designer Andrea Johnson Tejada, Jason Sweers, Graphic Designers Kendall Anderson, Set Decorator A B