Studio C Beta
Full view of the show at the San Antonio, TX (Bandera) location
Studio C Beta is a stage format that was installed in Chuck E. Cheese's locations from 2000-2012. It was the second widely installed stage to have just 1 main animatronic character.
History
Little is known about this particular variant, however it is known that it originally replaced shows in locations with the Concept Unification Stage in Fall 2000, although it also replaced a Cyberamics Road Stage in Clearwater, FL (25921 US Hwy 19) around the same time.
Nomenclature
The community refers to the show as "Studio C Beta" -- the origin of the community naming is debatable at best [1][2]. Designed by Corman and Associates, an employee from Corman stated that the stages never specifically had names, but instead used the "Studio C" name and its revision year. Since Corman did not have official names, the "Studio 'C' 2000" name is also not an official name [3][4].
Designs
Prototype
Refer to Studio C Beta Prototype.
Original Release (Fall 2000 - January 2003)
The Chuck E. Cheese 32m (Animatronic) was used from Fall 2000 to January 2003, and then again in 2009 and 2019.
The Chuck E. Cheese 16m (Animatronic) was used from February 2003 onward.
Chuck E.'s Stage
Stage left features a Chuck E. Cheese animatronic created by Garner Holt Productions, and a backdrop that features a large swirl in the center and tubes and boxes that all light up with the show. At first, special carpet was used that was black and said "Studio C" all over, although many stores have replaced it with the store's normal carpet. Notably, Pittsburgh, PA (20 McIntyre Square Dr) has a hybrid animatronic; a 32M body and 16M head.
Center (TV) Area
Center stage consists is a gray structure with large red "CEC" lettering in the middle, along with mirrors on the sides that also light up. Above it are three large TVs, the center TV being slightly taller than the left and right TVs. On top of the TVs are three light boxes, although some locations do not have them.
Blue Screen Area
Stage right featured the blue screen, which was a feature originally included on the Studio C Alpha, as well as the Studio C Beta Prototype. Compared to earlier revisions, the blue screen sported a slightly different design, in which the "Studio C" sign was not attached to the blue screen, but rather the wall. To the left of the blue screen was a small picture of Chuck E. surfing and Mr. Munch scuba diving.
Single Screen (Fall 2000 - January 2003)
A single screen version of the Studio C beta was also introduced during the initial rollout to replace a Road Stage.
Instead of having three screens in the middle, there is only one. It features lighting at the top, a large TV in the middle, and a subwoofer on the bottom. The Clearwater location has the gold “CEC” letters instead of the usual red. The location was rumored to have a one-of-a-kind blue screen, which has since been removed. All single screen stages featured a 32-movement animatronic.
2012 Redesign (May 2012 - August 2012)
This design of the Studio C Beta was drastically changed in May of 2012, with a few elements of the Studio C Cappa introduced. This design debuted at Independence, MO (18701 E 39th St), and was installed until August 2012, when Concepcion, Chile opened; this was the very last store to open with a Studio C Beta..
The center stage design was drastically changed by making the gray structure a light gray, featuring the typical "CEC" sign but now with a ray of red and yellow directly below it. The side mirrors stayed, but the light box above the TVs was removed and the "CEC" emblem from the Studio C Cappa was featured between the TV row and the sign, albeit with different coloring (black instead of zebra patterned).
The blue screen was replaced with the Ticket Blaster and featured a blue and yellow background that consisted of tickets, as well as small lights.
Variants
- 32M Beta
- 16M Beta
- Single Screen Beta
- CU Beta 16M
Gallery
-
Single-Screen Studio C 2000 in Slidell, LA
