Thread: JD's Halloween 2010 Pics

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Good times.

Lots of changes for this year. Biggest one was a desire to reduce the CheeseFactor(TM) in the display. Some time back, I was looking at the 2009 photos and realized I wanted to do away with using manufactured masks for my ghouls and, as well, to do something about the skeletal structure and hands.

See, I had been reading a comment by some other haunter who was openly wondering why it is that, as first-time haunters, we have a tendency to build skeletal frames with shoulders that are way too wide and always position the hands as if the thing were some sort of 1950s robot, you know, jutting perfectly horizontal out from each side.

So, the list this year was long but, somehow, I actually got through it and with a bit of time to spare:

* Complete overhaul of the three yard ghouls. The frames were more proportionately sized, the arms and hands modified to be more expressive, and the mask removed in favour of an empty grim reaper head. Love not only the new look but, as well, the incredible resistance to wind damage. The piece is fully modular and can be set up in less than five minutes, if even that.

* New grave grabber. He is activated by remote control. Special tombstone set up to hide and protect the mechanism.

* New groundbreaker. Also activated by remote.

* All skeleton-related pieces, including my original groundbreaker, were refinished with a coat of flat black latex, followed by a dry-brushing of white, finished off with a coat of an exterior stain / epoxy glue mixture. The glue is for additional hardness.

* Reallocation of my antlered monster - which I didn't think looked quite right last year - to the role of a topper for a staff for my pumpkin-headed night watchman, the latter a Pumpkinrot piece.

* Went with sorghum instead of corn. A little spookier than corn and the farmer gives it to me for nothing. Finished skulls were strung randomly on them.

* A skeletal corpse on a pole in the midst of the sorghum. Inspired by Pumpkinrot's 2009 Halloween pics. In fact, the whole left side of my driveway is a bit of a homage to this great artist.

* Biggest challenge was wiring up 22 of the high-intensity LEDs that were all the rave on HF this year. Learned a ton about electronics.

* Put red lightbulbs in all the outdoor light fixtures. Small effort for a noticeable effect. Also did away with white spots, except for one, focusing strictly on a blue cemetery with a red backdrop. Used mostly orange and yellow on the farm side.

* We raised $200 for the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation on the night in question.

Here are some pics. You'll note there's an open space in front of the night watchman. Still thinking about what to do with it, although I suspect deranged pumpkins could play a major role.

Broad front view (beware the basketball net of horror justice):


Redesigned ghouls:





New gravegrabber:


The night watchman's new staff and friends:


Complete slideshow here: http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p...view=slideshow

Cheers,

JD

Wow!!!! nice

JD,
I love that house. It look's like you have plenty of space. I also love the lighting direction you used and the cat eyes in the top windows. Spooky.

Very nice! Great job on the lighting and the props really stand out!

Great lighting....LOVE the Nightwatchman

Nice! I love it!

Let me add my "I love it" to the rest, what a great looking haunt JD.

love the pumpkin scarecrow! nice pics!

Looks amazing! good work.

Thank you for the nice comments, guys.

When you look at something for so long, you kinda lose perspective on what works and what doesn't. It's great to know the lighting scheme comes across well.

Cheers,

JD