Thread: Prop epiphany

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I learned all about using pvc to create frames for figures this Halloween.
I made scarecrows, a witch, a wolf, a devil and a creepy guy.
They all came out pretty good I think.
I even did the lighting in a really creepy way.
Had outdoor speakers too....
I was very creative making the clothes out of cheaply bought materials.
Learned all about the miracle of a glue gun and how it makes everything easier.
I made some interesting hands out of expanding foam.
Learned how to make teeth and fangs out of femo.
Used chicken wire to bulk out some bodies.

I read last week how to make a face form out of a balloon and paper mache.

The other day I was thinking that I could combine a lot of what I learned this year to make a fantastic looking figure next year.

Today I was thinking as I'm getting into my car to go to work..."I think I'm going to make an Ogre or a Troll next year, try to make it big too"
Then I was thinking......"really big".
Thicker heavier pvc piping.....
A lot more material for clothes...
Giant belt, big boots....
How big.....?
Really really big!
But how big?

As I'm walking down my driveway I see a fantastic spot for it in front of a tree.
I could use the tree to help hold up the frame.
I could make it 7 feet tall and have it leaning over the driveway threatening to grab the ToT'ers.
Then i was thinking.....what if it was 10' tall with each hand the size of a 5 year old...
I could do it, pretty easily I think.

And what was that thread I was reading....about the guy who made a huge flaming cauldron using a fan, lights and some sheets......
What if I made one where the flames were 5 or 6 ft tall and had it next to the Troll?

oh man.....it's going to be a fun summer!

Sounds great to me. I love overexagerated features and props...good luck

sounds great! make sur eyou take lots of pics as you go along

Sounds awesome!

This may be helpful: Haunted Overload is a pro-haunt that's trademark is HUGE props. The owner, Eric, presented at Transworld on how he does it and was kind enough to provide a link to his how-to slides: http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l3...des/?start=all

Here's a picture I took at the presentation:

Originally Posted by Terra

Sounds awesome!

This may be helpful: Haunted Overload is a pro-haunt that's trademark is HUGE props. The owner, Eric, presented at Transworld on how he does it and was kind enough to provide a link to his how-to slides: http://s92.photobucket.com/albums/l3...des/?start=all

Here's a picture I took at the presentation:

I love you.

I have seen this troll and just dreamed it is possible.....http://www.kimgrahamstudios.com/index.html

Thanks a lot Huggybear. Now I want to make a Troll...

Always been a fan of trolls.

I emailed Kim about the troll back in 2008. Here's what she wrote me back:

Thank your for your compliments. I had intended that the sequence of pictures on Kimgrahamstudios.com to be as informative as possible. It is wonderful if people can take the ideas and run with them. Here is an excerpt from another email describing the process....

What I would like to know is how you made it? I saw the pictures and the making of the frame (wood / carton) is quite clear, but then: the paper maché. What kind of glue did you use for it?

Wall paper paste. You can get it in 5 gallon buckets at the local hardware stores.

And the paper, is it special paper or just newspaper or something similar?

There were two types of paper. Brown construction paper is used by contractors to protect floors from paint and debris. Any hardware store here carries it. The other is toilet paper. This gave the really believable wood texture on the surface. Take a small handfull, dip it in the glue, rip it slightly, re-dip and apply.

Do you apply the glue at once on the paper or does it really have to be soaked?

Neither had to be soaked. We just dipped the construction paper in quickly, removed the excess glue off and applied it.

What techniques could be of use as well?

Honestly, one of the very best is this: Sculpt your basic form with aluminum foil glued together with hot glue. Mix ordinary white glue (or ordinary house paint) with fine sawdust to a paste. With a palette knife, apply the paste to the aluminum. This makes a very strong, wood like surface that is simply perfect for sculptures under 4 feet tall. It receives detail beautifully.
Also if you use the house paint and apply three coats of spar varnish, this will last for years out doors with bright colors

For going larger, metal lath (expanded metal) for a underlying structure is really good. This is the lightweight stuff that is used for concrete. You can bend it with your hands easily.

I intend to try a lot with styrofoam/polyurethane/polystyrene stuff. Do you have suggestions for that as well?

Avoid them. They are toxic and filthy to work with. Carved foam gets everywhere. The white bead stuff is impossible to clean out of a studio and the polystyrene is itchy and difficult to get off your skin. I really do not like them

Cool, thanks Billman. Lot's of good info there!