A wide shot of the guillotine during the shoot

The key set for a recent pilot I worked on for a post-apocalyptic series, called  ‘New World Order’ was an execution chamber.  In the script, it was described as including a tree-stump and axe, wielded by an executioner.  Being that the story takes place in the future, as production designer I made an alternative suggestion, and this is the result.  I designed and built this futuristic guillotine over the course of about two weeks, while simultaneously preparing all the other art department set elements.

A close-up shot of the guillotine showing the interlocking blades.

The surface of the table is actually a pair of expanded metal trap doors that drop each decapitated body down into a furnace located on a lower floor.  It was a great opportunity to brush up on my welding skills, which I admit had become a bit rusty!

A look at the back of the guillotine

The guillotine mechanism is fully functional and is comprised of three rotating blades, activated when the executioner pulls the handle toward himself.

One of my favorite parts of doing this work is getting to see the reactions of the actors and other crew members when the set elements are first revealed to them.  This one was particularly fun!  The actress you see told me she was really shaking when she had to lie inside it.   I’m glad I could make her job easier.  That’s what I strive for on every set, but not always through such gruesome means.

© Carl Hawke and Hawke Designs, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given by Carl Hawke, Epic Royal Entertainment and the film, ‘New World Order’ with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.