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Projects: Misc. Props & Decorations 4
Additional props and decorations...
Grave Marker Wreath
A quick and simple improvement to a store bought prop wreath. It came with the skulls but was a little thin on the foligae so I snipped some greenery off a fake plant bought in a dollar store and attached to the wreath using hot glue. I then created a triangular stand for the wreath out of bent advertising sign wire. Simple and effective it really improved the look of a cheap prop.
Click on any of the thumbnails below to view the full-size image in a pop-up window.
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SAM from "Trick r' Treat"
Ever since seeing the movie Trick r' Treat I've wanted to do up a life-sized SAM figure from the movie. I've never wanted to do a lot of movie characters in the haunt - there are so many Jasons, Freddies & Micheal Myers out there that they loose whatever impact they might have had. Sam though is recognizable but also generic enough to fit in - he could be any creepy little kid in costume if you haven't seen the movie but a bit of an in-joke if you have. Sam is short for "Samhain" and is the vengeful spirit of Halloween known for wreaking havoc on those that do not obey its' rules...
- Rule #1: Wear a Costume
- Rule #2: Always Check your Candy
- Rule #3: Never Blow Out a Jack O'Lantern
- Rule #4: Pass Out Treats
I had a friend sew up a perfect orange onesie sleeper to fit a child's mannequin I got on Craigslist but didn't get the stiching or buttons sewn on his hood in time for last year so he had to wait until 2011 to make his apperance. For his head I again turned to Craigslist and got an old school globe. After removing the printed world map and frame I was left with the circular plastic core. It was spray painted flat black and then my dremel was used to cut a hole in the bottom to fit over the mannequin's head. In orde to permanently attached the globe I simply filled it with Great Stuff expanding foam and stuck it on the mannequin. The burlap sack was wrapped around the globe and tied in place. The stitching for the mouth was done and then the button eyes (made by cutting thin slices off a large wooden dowel and drilling the four holes) added. Some paint to weather, distress and bloody him up a bit finished him off.
I really think he's going to creep people out. I had him the living room as I was stitching his mouth and every time I'd come in the room, even knowing he was there, with the lights on and he'd still give me a start! I think because he's based on an actual child mannequin so the proportions are right and you can see the limbs under the jammies it looks far more real than a simple homemade PVC armature would. I can't wait to put him out in the yard.
Click on any of the thumbnails below to view the full-size image in a pop-up window.
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Just a quick note about the cornstalks, since I've had some inquiries. For the corn I buy about 5 dozen stalks every year from a local garden centre. They come in bundles of 6 so I cut them apart and stake 2 at a time. I use 1/2" square wooden garden stakes about 24" long. I pound them about half way into the ground and then attach 2 stalks to it using black electrical zip ties - 2 per stake or more as needed. Pull the zip ties as hard as you can and make sure to snip off the extra as I find those a visual distraction (a pet peeve of mine). If you look hard in the photos you can see a few zip ties but they're pretty invisible at night. I space the stalks out to fill in the space and not worry about doing neat rows as in real life. Some stalks I'll add extra at the end and put them on an angle as if they are broken or falling over. A couple of small hay bales complete the look and hid the base of the scarecrow and all the wires from the pumpkins.
Standing Zombie
After wearing my zombie costume for several years I was finally fed up with the limited vision the mask afforded so I decided to retire it and convert the costume to a static standing zombie prop. I looked at some of the more elaborate articulated armatures but felt they were more than what was needed for this prop so I went about constructing a wooden framework for the zombie. I didn't follow any plans or really plan it out in advance - I'm just winging it as I go. I would take measurements off my own limbs and then cut some wood to fit and then glued and screwed it all together. After the basic framework was done I padded the frame with some pool noodles and an old pillow or two all wrapped in duct tape. Guerilla prop making at its best!
For now I just have the armature finished but will post photos as I work up the body using chicken wire and pool noodles.
UPDATE! One thing I've realized as I'm putting all the Halloween stuff in storage is that my standing zombie is going to be a problem. The way I've built it the armature out of wood it will take up too much storage space since I can't adjust the pose once built. I found a very cool online supplier of PVC adjustable joints for armatures - Spider Hill Prop Works. I've orderd the Kit-2 which comes with all the joints and couplings needed to make a life-sized figure armature. The joints can be rotated freely in all directions and then locked in place. This way I can have him standing straight with his arms at his side for storage and then adjust him into a more dynamic pose for Halloween. Should work great! Once I receive the kit I'll post photos of my progress.
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