Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1542693
4 6 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 iconic floor made of colorful vinyl composition tiles in a specific, though seemingly sporadic pattern. Art Department assistant Palash Gandhi was charged with performing visual forensics on dozens of photos of Toys "R" Us stores, painstakingly uncovering the pattern of their floor tiles. We then embarked on an ambitious search for colored VCT tiles with a 1990s texture, which turned out to be discontinued around the country. Hours of phone calls by construction buyer Casey Miner resulted in gathering and inventory from a variety of vendors totaling 21,560 tiles. We probably wiped out the nationwide supply for good. With the tiles sorted, we returned to Andrij's request. Various tests were made to compare buffing and polishing methods. We settled on a layered process, which presented a logistical challenge as the floor needed to cure for a few days—precious time to lose in an already truncated prep. Thankfully, the crew managed to perform acrobatic feats to continue working while the floor cured, and the outcome was a great success. Not only was the floor smooth enough for the dolly, but its deep sheen reflected the store's ceiling lights, an unexpected bonus. We had collaborated with the lighting team to purchase and hang two thousand fluorescent bulbs, providing most of the lighting for the set. The floor reflection added bounce and visual interest, and we were praised by Andrij for offering solutions to the camera and lighting departments. With the floor in place, and time running out, I persuaded the team to set up an office outpost at the store location. Art Department coordinator Rachel Argo was tasked with relocating much of our operation to the store, and was constantly shuttling between the production office and the store to liaise and provide support. Despite the store's less than hospitable conditions, our set dressing crew, helmed by leadman Patrick Fuhrman, worked on location for weeks building shelving and stocking merchandize, slowly turning the store into a welcoming place for crew and actors. Charge scenic Jennifer Long and her ever- accommodating paint crew made the most of the blue and yellow Toys "R" Us color palette, and helped restore the place to its former glory. We set out to dress the store as if we were working for Toys "R" Us corporate management. We collected thousands of photos from period stores, which we studied in detail. We uncovered old floor plans and organizational charts. We even watched old Toys "R" Us employee training videos, NEST - PLN, EL, + DETAILS INT. TOYS R US-NEST 123 11300 CAROLINA PLACE PKWY, PINEVILLE, NC 04 D. REHNLUND AS NOTED RM_123_EXT-INT-TOYS-R-US_240917_DESIGN_DR.DWG 17 SEPTEMBER 2024 RELEASED SCALE: 1/2"= 1'-0" NEST - section 2 04 SCALE: 1/2"= 1'-0" NEST - "LADDER" - ELEVATION 3 04 NTS - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 3D MODEL VIEW - NEST FRONT WITH BIKES DISPLAYED D 04 NTS - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 3D MODEL VIEW - NEST FRONT WITHOUT BIKES E 04 NTS - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 3D MODEL VIEW - NEST BACK VIEW - X-RAY THROUGH WALL F 04 NTS - FOR REFERENCE ONLY 3D MODEL VIEW - X-RAY NEST BIRDS EYE VIEW G 04 BIKES + RACK/TRACKS BY SET DEC FRAMING BY CONSTRUCTION TO BE ASSEMBLED AS NEEDED NEST STRUCTURE TO BE SECURED TO FLAT WALL AND TO BUILDING FOR ACTOR CLIMBING SUPPORT CAMERA PORTAL/WILD WALL TBD CENTER OF NEST WALL (CONFIRM) ROLLED STEEL 1 1 2 " x 1 1 2 " TUBING TO PROVIDE SMOOTH CURVED SURFACE RACKS - SIDE ELEVATION SCALE: 1"= 1'-0" NEST - detail NOTES: STRUCTURE (INCLUDING CANTILEVERED BIKE RACK) TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF CONTINUOUS CLIMBING ACTORS. (ALL AREAS) to be tied to floor WILDING TBD 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 3'-0" R12'-0" R12'-1 3/4" R12'-3" FRAME SUPPORT AS NEEDED SCALE: 1/2"= 1'-0" NEST - "LADDER" - section 3B 04 1 1/2" 10'-0" 1 1/2" 9'-9" 1 1/2" 3'-0" 1 1/2" 2'-9" 1 1/2" 10'-0" 1 1/2" 2'-4 1/2" 1 1/2" 2'-4 1/2" 1 1/2" 2'-3 3/4" 1 1/2" 2'-3 3/4" 1 1/2" 3" 1 1/2" BOLTED TOGETHER BOLTED TOGETHER 10'-0" 5'-0" 5'-0" 2'-4 1/2" 2'-4 1/2" 2'-3 3/4" 2'-3 3/4" 3 04 bike rack tracks by set dec (11) per level (22) total PAINTED WOOD FINISH 1 8 " rolled aluminum facing OR OTHER SUBSTRATE FACE - DISCUSS W/ A.D. gfx application tbd 6'-0" 5" TRACK BY SET DEC 1'-6 3/4" 12° 5" 4" 12 ° 6'-0" 6'-0" 1'-6 3/4" 3/4" 3/4" 5" 4" 12° bike rack tracks by set dec (11) per level (22) total bike rack tracks by set dec (11) per level (22) total 6'-0" 5" 12° 3B 04 WILD OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN WILD LADDERS TBD GRAPHICS APPLIED TO WALL - TBD SCALE: 1"= 1'-0" NEST - detail 5 04 SURFACE TO BE SOLID SUPPORTS VISIBLE FOR CONSTRUCTION REFERENCE/CLARITY FRONT APRON PIECES TO BE ROLLED + CONTINUOUS (MINIMAL BREAKS) SUBSTRATE FACE TO BE FASTENED TO FRAMING AS SEAMLESS AND SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE - DISCUSS solid deck PAINTED WOOD WILD SECTIONS FOR CREW ACCESS 4 04 5" 1 1/2" 4" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 3/4" plywood or similar substrate surface/deck painted wood or similar smooth end cap/apron material tbd must be smooth and rounded WILD SECTIONS FOR CREW ACCESS WILD SECTIONS FOR CREW ACCESS WILD SECTIONS FOR CREW ACCESS 12° 5" 12° 12° A. MERCHANDISE PLACEMENT IN PROGRESS. SET PHOTO. B. GRAPHICS STAGED FOR HANGING. PHOTO BY DAVI RUSSO. C. BIKE WALL CONSTRUCTION DETAILS. DRAWN BY DIANA REHNLUND. B A C