Thread: How do you plan?

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Just curious to see how everyone plans their halloween display set ups. Do you create digital models on the computer, do a pre halloween layout in the yard. Draw everything up on paper or wing it on the big day?

Sorry if there is a post of this already.

I draw layouts of the house, yard, and any indoor displays. Probably go through way too much paper trying to figure out the best layout. (but it gets recycled)

So, how about you guys?

I did the same thing recently and just drew it out.

I do lots of sketches on paper, usually the hard way, using a marker lol. I will sometimes use pics of my house for placement of stuff or for proportions, just to see it before setup attempts.

Alot of it is methodical but I also view my setup like a game. I have my plans and ideas but nothing is ever set in stone. I will start with my wiring to make sure I dont give myself any fire hazards and to ensure I have enough cables to cover the area with power.

I then coordinate props that complement each other as best as they can, I dont just throw stuff out there. I am always tweaking things but Ive determined the best thing is to put the stuff I wont cry about if stolen or destroyed out as early as I want, then build the best parts in the garage.

Day of I will setup the better things to view out back and in the front I am trying to keep it a fast setup with yard stake, inflatables and rope off stuff.

Yeah I am not to computer handy so I hand draw everything, but I guess it doesn't always help because more then likely I will change most of my plan the day of set up.

I look at my collection, seperate them by theme, and decide how to do my haunt.
I am planning by section.

One big cemetary, one witch section, one scarecrow section, one maze, one round around the house maze. one ghoulish barbecue on my deck, my garage might be a turn into a creepy room.

Still expanding!

I used to write down plans, but I would always misplace them. Plus, it was a waste of time since they change hourly.

I do write down little tidbits of info that help me build something.

But I have a visual of what I want my haunt to look like and try to keep that in mind.

I'm taking notes on my computer, but not drawing pics or anything. I actually went out in the backyard with my husband yesterday to walk through what I planned on doing and to hopefully get some ideas from him. Of course he gave no input whatsoever lol. So much for husband/wife bonding! I'd like to take a video of my backyard to post on here, so I can get ya'lls oppinions. There are a couple of things that I'm not sure what do with.

I like to take pic's of other yards during Halloween to see if there is anything I can add to mine. The process starts the day after Halloween for me. I also take lots of pic's of my yard to see where I can add or change for next year.

Here's a system I've used for that last three seasons which is (pretty much) a step-by-step plan for the haunt.

1. Theme
2. Brainstorm
3. Categorize ideas
4. Layout garage haunt
5. Pick out projects
6. Prioritize projects
7. Make time line

1. Theme: Usually based on a movie, video game, art poster, anything that has a comprehensive view of a theme. This year, the theme comes from the video game 'Darksiders'. This way the haunt will have a comprehensive goal that you can refer to again and again. Try to pick a theme that has an art style, monsters, set pieces, music and background that can all be used as a jumping off point for props and set design that will be made.

2. Brainstorm: While watching the game or movie play, write down anything that tickles your fancy. Take screen shots too. I've had 10 pages of notes filled out using this technique. Also, go back through your prop bookmarks and write down things you've seen on the forums that you'd like to make. Go through catalogs and websites. Odds are by this point you are starting to imagine your haunt and what you'd like in it.

3. Categorize ideas: Get a pad like this: Amazon.com: TOPS Docket Gold Planning Pad with Cover, 8.5 x 11.75 Inches, 80 Sheets, White, (63752): Office Products leave the front page blank (you'll use this page later). On the second page write the title of your theme at the top (Force of Darkness). Then write down descriptive words that will fit your theme. Example: Neon, hell horse, epic, trailer music, chains, lava, specters, fire, zombies, smoke... Be exhaustive here - like a 100 or so nouns. You will be referring to this list over and over again as you are deciding and designing the props and sets.

On the next pages, break out category titles and leave big spaces. Example: Theme Poster, Sound, Smell, Lighting, Costumes, Entrance, Live actor, Graveyard, 3D Chroma, Wall Decor, Hell Horse, Crypt, Prop 1, Prop 2, Prop 3, Prop 4, Misc. Ideas.

Go back through your brainstorming notes and put into the correct categories. Put everything in there. By this time, you are certainly starting to decide on favorites... things that are getting you excited to make. Your theme is now actively starting to take over your every waking thought

4. Layout Garage Haunt: Back to the front page of your pad. Draw out the size of your haunt to scale (mine is the garage). Think of rooms that you'd really like to do, in what order and start to figure out how much space they'd need. DO THIS IN PENCIL! There will be a lot of erasing and rethinking. Refer back to your categorized notes and you will start to see what some of your ideas would be like actually in the haunt. Some will work but some probably won't. Here is this year's front page of the planning pad for Castle of Terra: Force of Darkness:




5. Pick out projects: Go back though your categorized ideas and finally decide on the projects that need to made for the haunt. You can just use a highlighter or circle them.

6. Prioritize Projects: On a new page in your pad write down your to-do list. Number one on the list should always be the "design theme poster". This helps you laser focus on the artistic style of your haunt. Designing a theme poster forces you to pick a title and art style that will ribbon throughout your haunt. Here's mine:



Next on your to-do list should be the most difficult or time-sucking project. That way, if it takes longer then planned you can adjust your time schedule. List the rest of the projects according to 'must have' to 'would be nice to have'. That way, if you do run out of time, the bottom ones on your project list can just get dropped off.

Here was the beginning of Force of Darkness' to-do list:
1. Theme poster
2. Hell horse
3. 3D panels
4. Devil & throne
5. Neon monster
6. Lava spikes

7. Make time line: Go through your to-do list and estimate how long it should take to make these items. Then, grab a calendar and fill it in. During the year, it will help you see if you are running late in prop building or are you okay.

That's it. Now you'll have a pad that has your whole haunt plan in one place. My pad is always nearby in the workshop and I refer to it very often.

Hope that helps

Originally Posted by Atelier*Motives

Just curious to see how everyone plans their halloween display set ups. Do you create digital models on the computer, do a pre halloween layout in the yard. Draw everything up on paper or wing it on the big day?

Sorry if there is a post of this already.

I draw layouts of the house, yard, and any indoor displays. Probably go through way too much paper trying to figure out the best layout. (but it gets recycled)

So, how about you guys?

Just like you... draw it out.