Thread: Off & Running for 09. Our haunted shack prop begins. pics

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Hey all.
Well spring has finally sprung and the newest prop for the Boneyard has begun. We usually start building during the winter months in the basement. But this prop is just way to large to even attempt it in sections. So it has to be built outside. Every season we try and do one major prop and maybe a few small ones. Last season it was the hearse. This season it will be the haunted shack. Parts from the hearse and a couple of other retired props make up much of the lumber. A big $ saver. This will be a 3 stage prop and will work like so. As our victims approach a series of staggered floor boards will start to bounce up and down along with fog and green light from below. Our skelly sitting in his rocking chair (chair will always be rocking via a wiper motor) comes to life next to tell the tale of the haunted shack and the graveyard beyond. His story has yet to be determined. When he is done with his tale a slight pause then our pop up will emerge from the window. To add more flare to the window. We are going to make a burning effect as though the inside of the shack is on fire. The pop up will come up from in front of the fire. Their will also be a few other effects going on. Such as flickering porch lights, A small head emerging from the partially open door and a couple more.

We framed out the shack today. It measures 13' long by 9' high. by 6' deep. The rear 2' will not be seen. This will be used for prop controls and such. It will be put on wheels so we can move it to the front when the time comes. We also added a roof made of a section of old pool cover. Very strong and will shed the water. I added a couple of pictures for you all to see so you can get the jist of it. We hope you enjoy and will keep updating as we progress. Next we move on to the floor boards and mech to make it work.

Are you going too have a how to or just pictures? I want to make one it looks
great.

Can't wait to see the final project.

So is this just a "theater" or part of a walk though?

I think you need to be careful making people think the shack is on fire. Some people may not react well to something like that and really panic.

For my furnace room I am working on - I bought one of the fire fox lights:

American DJ Homepage

Is that what your planning on using for the flames or are you making your own fan blown silk flames?

Hey all. We got some more time to work on the haunted shack prop. We cut all the floor boards for the rattle effect. and set them in place. 5 out of the bunch will go up and down at different times. We set up 2 of the boards and our wiper motor and gave it a test run. You can see the setup and basic construction in the short vid below.
To answer a few ?s that where asked.
1 No how to as of now. I am just kinda winging this hole thing as we go along. I know the way i want it to work, but as far as the construction, It's learn as we go.
2 This will be our main attraction in this years walk through.
3 silk flames will be used for the fire effect.
I will keep posting as it comes along................
[ame=http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb215/bdburr/?action=view&current=hauntedhousefloorboardtest.fl v][/ame]

If that is something that people can walk on as they go through.....how will the PVC hold up?

Originally Posted by Homestead Haunt

If that is something that people can walk on as they go through.....how will the PVC hold up?

LOL. No this will not be walked on. More like walked past. A scene in the whole haunt walk through.

What an elegant design!