The Magic of Design: Behind the Scenes of Beetlejuice 2
Welcome back to the "Decorating Pages Podcast," where we dive deep into the fascinating world of set design and its critical role in the creative process of film and television. Today’s episode is an absolute treat for anyone even remotely familiar with movie magic. Host Kim Wannop had an engaging chat with Mark Scruton, the production designer of the classic Tim Burton movie sequel *Beetlejuice 2*. Mark shares everything from the design challenges to the creative joys of taking on a visually iconic project like *Beetlejuice*.
No spoilers here—but if you haven’t seen *Beetlejuice 2*, you’ll definitely want to after this behind-the-scenes glimpse! With Mark Scruton’s stellar track record, including his work on Netflix’s *Wednesday*, his artistic insights provide a wealth of inspiration. Tune in to understand how hard work, creativity, and a ton of teamwork molded the sets that celebrate nostalgia yet feel excitingly fresh.
Bringing Iconic Sets Back to Life
Can you imagine stepping back into a world so famous, fans everywhere have memorized the details? That was Scruton's task as he redesigned the *Beetlejuice* universe for its sequel. One of the standout challenges and triumphs of the film was revisiting the Maitland house and the quiet Vermont town of Winter River. Mark explained how dedicated he and his team were to duplicate the essentials, yet infuse new energy into the house, which had undergone a slight evolution. According to Scruton, the team honored the design transitions from "country chintz" to "80s postmodern," bringing the house subtly back to its roots.
Rebuilding the sets wasn’t just an artistic endeavor—it was an emotional experience too. Locals from East Corinth, Vermont, where the original movie was filmed, shared old photos and memories with Mark’s team. “The town was exactly as it had been in the original movie,” said Mark. Even years later, the hill from the original shoot maintained faint impressions of the set. “It was quite bizarre to come back and see how time stood still.”
Incredible Details in Every Design Choice
Incorporating detailed props and layered designs became a hallmark of Scruton’s style. For the underworld, Mark explained that the sets were created to meld Tim Burton’s flair for avant-garde with a sense of eerie whimsy. From the dramatic textures in the walls to reflective floors, every element was built by hand to maintain authenticity. He also shared stories of sourcing and assembling bespoke furniture, props, and even set pieces entirely from scratch.
No detail was overlooked. A standout challenge? Draping the Maitland house in netting to evoke an ominous, otherworldly vibe. This was no ordinary drape; it was custom-tailored fabric stretched over two weeks by a dedicated team wielding cherry pickers and staple guns. Watching it come to life felt like a victory for the whole crew. “Sometimes you just have to eyeball these things,” Mark laughed.
Underworld Innovation and the Humor of Tim Burton
Everyone is dying (pun intended) to know about the underworld! A fan-favorite of the original film, Mark shared how the team brought back the quirky afterlife aesthetics while expanding on its sprawling visual universe. Highlights included a dry-cleaning conveyor belt for ghosts and Beetlejuice’s own “Glengarry Glen Ross”-inspired office.
And, of course, the iconic waiting room. Mark’s team worked tirelessly to reconstruct it down to the most intricate details, even debating how textures and sand popping techniques would translate. For fans hoping for Easter eggs, keep a sharp eye out for tiny nods to Tim Burton classics—Mark hinted at some hidden gems!
“A Heck of a Production Schedule”
You’d think a large-scale production for *Beetlejuice 2* would involve months of prep, right? Nope. Mark and his team had only 12 weeks (yes, you read that correctly!) to prep nearly 70 unique sets before filming began. Collaboration between departments became key, particularly when juggling location shoots in Vermont with intricate stage designs built overseas. From massive practical sets to haunting visual elements, Mark took on the challenge with excitement, grit, and some inevitable trial and error.
Mark joked about the creative chaos behind the Soul Train platform, where the subway stairs proved to be a tripping hazard for dancers. “Everything was intentionally uneven. It was fun and not fun simultaneously,” he said. The persistence clearly paid off—the trance-inducing neon tones and warped perspectives of the platform made it one of the most memorable sets.
Designing Nostalgia While Moving Forward
One of the biggest storytelling triumphs of *Beetlejuice 2* is how it carefully balances the nostalgia of its predecessor while staying true to new ideas. Mark emphasized that much of Tim Burton’s charm is leaving enough space for the viewer’s imagination to roam. By taking small story cues—like creating sets with distorted proportions or adding minute hidden details—the production design shaped a world both excitingly new yet comfortingly familiar.
“For me, creativity comes from constraints,” said Mark. With only four sound stages and years of passed-down references to build upon, Mark explained how working under certain restrictions pushed the entire design team’s creativity to the limit. Despite the pressure, the results were breathtaking.
Wrapping Up the Design Journey
Mark’s passion for his craft is contagious. Whether assembling obscure period props or figuring out how to replicate dated aesthetics from the 80s, nothing seemed insurmountable for Mark and his incredible team. As a designer, his goal was always “to do justice to the original.” Based on fans’ euphoric reactions, we’d say that mission was accomplished spectacularly.
So, if you’ve already seen *Beetlejuice 2*, dive back in to appreciate every nook and cranny of its stunning production design. Better yet, head to the Decorating Pages YouTube channel and check out Mark Scruton’s exclusive sketches and renderings. Trust us—you’ll see the film’s world come alive in an entirely new way.
What's Next?
Mark Scruton’s next exciting project is *Wednesday: Season 2*. While you wait to hear more, check out previous podcast episodes featuring other major production designers. And for those dreaming of handling set design themselves, Kim has even more interviews and tips on the craft. Until then, we’re saying Beetlejuice 3x times fast for a hopeful new sequel!
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