Svengoolie's Coffin & Set Design - MeTV

The brief here was to design and fabricate an updated coffin and set for American Horror Host Svengoolie, produced by Acme Design, Inc.

The coffin is broadly an update of the host's original design, with a brand new, puppeteered skull motif. The new design pulled inspiration from everything from the original Frankenstein (1931) to Louis Sullivan's architecture and Basil Gogos' art to the set designs in the film Event Horizon.

As a working on-set prop, it was rewarding to design in invisible features that improved interaction, handling and ease of use as compared to the original prop. Things like a stable, flush entry base that the coffin locks into allow the coffin to free stand anywhere, and allow the doors to open without bolting the cabinet to the set walls as was necessary before. Ventilation routed around the perimeter, along with silent fans sucking fresh air in, permit the performer (Rich Koz) to stand inside with doors closed under hot lights for extended periods, as necessary. Due to the nature of the angled hinge axis, the heavy doors on the original coffin were prone to falling open uncontrolled. To address this, the doors are mounted with both heavy duty steel hinges for durability as well as silent adjustable friction hinges, to ensure smooth, predictable movement without 'slamming' open or closed. Finally, they "latch" closed with invisible magnetic catches for a clean perimeter look on screen. The rear of the coffin is lined with addressable RGB LEDS with custom light programs to wash the walls, outlining the coffin with different patterns: from a Jacob's ladder effect to a beating heart and a green 'acidic' glow. The rear panel has a switchboard for the effects and the fans, as well as steel handles and rolling casters for transporting the coffin separate from its base.

The set includes many design elements taken from rubber chickens (a recurring gag in the show) as well as custom sculpted busts of Vincent Price and Boris Karloff as gargoyles. Challenges included ensuring all assemblies were durable, lightweight and mobile as the set shares studio space with other shows.