Realistic Flickering Lanterns

**nightrideproductions** · 05-29-2011,08:43 PM

I wanted to take a minute to remind everyone of how effective a flickering lantern can be in a haunt. Even better, it's easy (and cheap if you know where to look).

I made this one for my new grave digger to hold, but lanterns can work in almost any scene (cemetery, mine, pirates, etc.)

I found an old lantern at a flea market for $5. It was already nice and rusty, so all I had to do was age the glass globe and add a light inside. I cut off the end of a cheap extension cord, attached + and - to the 2 terminals on the candelabra socket, screwed in the flicker bulb, then glued it in place (after sawing off a piece of metal that got in the way.) I painted the globe with dark wood stain, then lightly sprayed black spray paint along the top of the globe to simulate soot.

TOTAL COST: ~$8

Again, it's so simple and adds a lot to a scene (it looks like somebody recently fled in a hurry.)

Completed Lantern

Bulb Assembly

Globe Detail

Mmmm..RUST