Fragoso helps Oscars shine Sunday

Five Questions is weekly feature highlighting community members that are often seen but rarely heard. The mini-interviews aim to bring out the personal side of these individuals with details about their work and personal lives.

This week, resident Chuy Fragoso took a trip to the Hollywood and Highland Center Theater in Los Angeles for a little show called the Academy Awards. There, he ensured the curtain calls went off without a hitch using his patented Chabuki curtain release system. A mechanized system using a leveraged swing release to achieve smooth and reliable curtain drops, the Chabuki design is a favorite of show-runners and event planners for its simplicity and effectiveness. Fragoso took the time to share some details about his system and the big night on the red carpet.

Name: Chuy Fragoso

Occupation: Owner of Fragoso, Inc.

1. Tell us a little bit about the Chabuki system. How was it applied at the Academy Awards Sunday night? Why is it such a desirable option for major productions like the Oscars?

It is a curtain release system that I developed in 2005 while already living in Sandpoint. In this application, there was a high speed wynch which is used to quickly pull the curtain offstage at the same moment that my system released the curtain. This effect was used to reveal the host of the show, Billy Crystal, as the video which was being projected onto the curtain ended.

My reveal of Billy Crystal was part of the opening for the entire show. It was the first “big moment” of the show and by far the highest profile event or cue that I have done. Also interesting is the fact that everyone backstage is required to be in a tuxedo. The show provides a tuxedo service on their dime for this to happen.

(As for why they used my system), it is simply more reliable than anything else on the market. In a key moment, as was the case on this show, the reveal has to happen without exception and my system delivers that. The art director of the Oscars has used my services before on other projects and as soon as a reveal is even mentioned he gives me a call because I have always come through for him.

2. What was your favorite part of the Oscars? Did any of your favorite movies this year get recognized?

My favorite part was when Meryl Streep received her Oscar (I actually walked right by her backstage as she exited the stage holding her Oscar)

Unfortunately, there is no time in our busy schedule to keep up with movies.

3. What are some of the other most memorable events that you’ve worked?

The Oscars in 2009, which was for the performance by A.R. Rahman from Slum Dog Millionaire that won Best Musical Score that year.

I also revealed a 737 for Delta when they formerly announced that they were coming out of bankruptcy.

4. What are some of the reasons you base your business out of Sandpoint as opposed to more populated areas?

Does this question really need answering!?

5. Attending the Oscars or skiing the fresh powder at Schweitzer: which sounds like a better deal to you and why?

Working at the Oscars and having Sandpoint as a home to return to seems like the perfect deal to me!