Thread: Figured Props

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I am having trouble making lifesized props, I have a whole witch section that I am doing and having a very tough time making the witch. I have a table with a fogging couldren I made and some bottles with stickers on them like rat poision and sulfuric acid but the main aspect to this prop is the life sized witch, and I tried to makei t out of the 3/4 inch pvc but it came out way to bulky. Does anyone have a way to make life sized props?

There are a ton of threads on full-sized bodies, but I would venture to say that a PVC frame + chicken wire is the most popular/cheapest/easiest. Use the PVC for the frame and the chicken wire to 'mold' your body.

Is there a tutorial on how to do this?

Yes. Where? I don't know... search this forum... maybe under "PVC frame" or something of the sort. I normally am gun-ho about finding links for people, but I'm tired. Good luck!

pvc armatures are fun and easy. Here's a link to help you figure size.
Zombietronix - Biped Proportion Calculator (Human. Creature. Monster. Other.)

type in the total height of your proposed figure and click "submit". It will give you a breakdown of the different size pvc "bones" you need.
You can have a simple standing figure, or make one sitting. This is a pic of one of my witches that looks out over our street each year. Simple pvc frame, a few pieces of foam pool noodle over the arms to flesh her out a bit. An old costume dress, hat, mask and hands.


Hope this helps a bit.

here's a link to the witch stirring, you could omit the stirring action if you wanted... but it gives good info on building the prop itself.

Build your own Bubbling Brew Animated Witch!

I have some pictures of the stirring witch construction that I did last year on my website. Actually, building a simple frame out of 2x4 lumber is probably cheaper and quicker than pvc. But obviously it will be heavier. We built a couple 6' creatures this year with wood frames.

We got frustrated with our zombie guy that was done with pvc and chicken wire because anytime he had to be fixed, that chicken wire was a nightmare to deal with.
My son this last week took him apart and completely redid him by taking the chicken wire off and wrapping limbs in poly batting and used duct tape to keep it on.

Well one of the nice things about using wood frames is you can just staple the chicken wire to the frame. I had to use zip ties when attaching chicken wire to pvc. The staples on wood was much easier.

jdubbya, I love your with she is awesome!!!