Excerpt from the script…
VO: How do you define the future?
VO: What is greatness?
VO: Hard questions, with no easy answers.
VO: A few years ago, we at Boeing asked ourselves how could we build an airplane that would set new standards in comfort, performance and efficiency.
VO: After much soul searching we found our answer in a phrase that is as common sense simple, as it is organizationally complex.
VO: Working Together.
VO: Because we realized that only by working together as a team with our customers, suppliers and each other could we build a truly great airplane.
VO: Working Together.
VO: To us it means pushing the limits, setting the standard, leading the way.
VO: Working Together.
VO: Because creating the future was not something any of us could do alone. But we could do it together.
VO: Most important of all, we did.
In 1990 Boeing’s Board of Directors gave the go-ahead to develop the Boeing 777. In classic Boeing style it was a $4 billion “bet the company” move. The 777 was a twin-engine plane designed for transoceanic routes – a smart but unusual approach that would appeal to customers… but that had the potential to turn into a nightmare if Boeing was unable to secure the necessary certifications for extended overwater flights (ETOPS).
To keep things interesting, Boeing designed the entire plane using a 3D modeling program called CATIA. CATIA enabled everyone on the project to see exactly how the 3.5 million parts would fit together. With this bold stroke, Boeing eliminated the need for a full scale mock-up, minimized profit robbing rework and sped up the ETOPS certification process for their two engine design.
To make the most of the 3D tools, Boeing created integrated teams. Traditionally engineering “threw the plans over the wall” to manufacturing; now the engineer who designed the assembly, the purchasing agent who would buy it, the contractor who would deliver it and the customer maintenance representative who would maintain it all “worked together” on the design. It was a radical departure and idea that was central to the future of the company.
CEO Phil Condit knew that with the right creative approach, the event would provide a golden opportunity to move the collaborative “Working Together” model into the mainstream of Boeing culture. Under his direction, we made the 777 Roll Out into an emotional celebration of Boeing and Boeing values.
We staged the event in the 747/777 final assembly building in Everett, WA, a building that is big enough to make its own weather. We built and installed a 280′ projection surface for pani projection and 35mm film projection. We hung enough truss to light the plane with 1.5 million watts of theatrical lighting; and we installed a megawatt JBL sound system specifically designed to work in the huge space.
Show-day came early. Starting at 6 am we ran the show for 7,000 people every hour. Sixteen in all. Each ran flawlessly. The event garnered worldwide television coverage and was a fixture in the world business press for months.
Enjoy the award winning ten minute documentary video along with the video script.
Produced by Dick Clark Productions
Winner: Grand Prize, New York Film and Television Festival
