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Schonbek crystal chandeliers play starring and supporting roles in The Pink Panther, appearing in theaters February 10th.
CHANDELIER DOUBLE BY SCHONBEK
Filming was underway for The Pink Panther. This time Inspector Clouseau was going to blunder on a grand scale. In the course of his investigations, he would cause the huge crystal chandelier in the Waldorf Astoria to crash.
This historic chandelier, of course, had to be preserved. The design team needed someone to make them a double.
"I called all over the world," said the assistant art director, "to find out who could match this crystal chandelier. No one could or would. Several people said I should really talk to Schonbek. Even Schonbek's competitors recommended them."
The Schonbek custom department had no problem approximating the chandelier. We manufacture crystal chandeliers in our own factory from raw materials. Because we control our own methods, materials and timing, we can build just about anything.
THE DEADLINE WAS A KILLER
According to the set decorator, "We're used to companies saying it can't be done when they hear our time frame. We needed this crystal chandelier in four to six weeks. But Schonbek said, of course it can be done. They delivered on time, too. And everything worked perfectly."
The assistant art director recalled "many middle-of-the-night phone calls. We changed the design mid-order, a couple of times. Schonbek was wonderful about it."
"Dropping the chandelier", according to the production designer, "was incredibly complicated. Every time we ran into a problem the guys at Schonbek solved it. Schonbek was a complete joy to work with."
A Schonbek crew assembled the crystal chandelier on the set. The whole crew gathered 'round to watch it crash. "When we dropped it," said the assistant art director, "only the crystal shattered. Amazingly, the frame didn't break. It was built like a tank."
SCHONBEK BEDAZZLES THE PARIS POLICE
"We put Schonbek chandeliers in another scene, too," said the production designer. "The Schonbek people were so nice and accommodating, I wanted to make sure Schonbek products were seen."
Schonbek crystal chandeliers appear in the scenes at Police Headquarters, where the décor suggests the lavish interiors of the Palais de Justice in Paris. Here the production designer chose a Schonbek crystal chandelier design ideally suited to a French palace. The style is called Versailles and is reminiscent of the seventeenth-century court of King Louis XIV.
"No other company," said the production designer, "had anything nearly as beautiful. The Schonbek chandeliers were profoundly elegant, and so period correct.
"Next time we need crystal chandeliers, Schonbek will be the first place we'll go."
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To discuss your project, email Paul Greselin or call 1-800-836-1892 or 1-518-563-7500. Or fax 1-518-563-4228. |
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