Thread: Do you like my idea? - Talking Pumpkin

Tweet

Hi everyone,

I've been thinking of some ideas on how to create what I've been dreaming of doing and want to hear what you think of it.

I want to create a talking pumpkin face and hook it up to my Light-O-Rama controller. But with me being 14 and being on a budget it hasn't been easy.

So I thought, if I have a square border (the size of the bush in my front garden) made of some sort of wood material, then attach chicken wire to it the cover up the centre - this would be my basic frame. Then I would use normal outdoor clear lights (not rope lights) to create the face i.e. eyes and different mouth moulds. And then just edit the seuquencing through LOR (the easy part).

Does this sound like a good way to create a simple version of a talking pumpkin face and if you think there may be some faults, please let me know.

Here's an excellent example:

YouTube- Halloween Light Show 2009 in HD - This is Halloween

Thanks,

-Trey

I think it's a great idea and you should do it! I wish more people got into Halloween in my neighborhood. I'm going to have to figure out some way to keep my stuff up longer, I had to put it out on Halloween only cuz I used my front yard and that's where my destructive doggies go to the bathroom.

Sounds like a good idea to me (but then I'm a low-tec kind of guy)

That vid is very impressive! Don't feel too bad about a low prop budget at 14yrs old Lad.... I'm 51 and MY budget is not much to brag about. This is where innovation fills in the gaps !

I agree with MM Mark. My budget is small and my ideas large.....Keep on rocking with what you've got. Remember to post pics or a video of your final project, I know it will be great.

Thanks everyone for your kind words :-) I thought I was the only one (as soundmankkc said) on a small budget but with large ideas.

I am currently busy with my Taekwondo life right now - going on tour in May so plus other competitions and stuff but I will try and keep you guys updated with the project.

Again thanks for the support :-)

Trey, you are in no way alone in the tight budget. I've been dumpster diving for the last year getting building material from around the neighborhood. Cheap source of wood to build things with. I like your idea but, not sure on the regular light bulbs you are talking about. I'm not sure how you will get the mouth look. You might be able to use xmas tree lights and just move all the lights into a row with twist ties. Then attach them to the wire to create a face, mouth, eyes. Use solid strands so they aren't mulit colored. I'm sure your parents prob. have them handy if they decorate and then you wouldn't have to buy any lights at all. Good luck and keep us posted.

Good idea. I am more of a low tech sort of guy though. I think it is over the top. Sorry for the let down.

Boy I hope this works , This site has a lot of users that have christmas displays using LOR, Ask and you shall recieve!! There are a lot of different ways to do what you want,and it will be really cool to see!! I guess the main ting is laying out the "expressions " with the lights. I think you will need more than one strand of lights!!LOL!!http://http://www.christmasfanclub.com/

Thanks for the advice! I think I may go with the idea from Growler and twist my string lights to make them closer together as I can't cut up rope lights like some others can. I've got a few sets of clear lights already but if I can find a way to save up some money I can buy more to make a bigger face.

Thanks for the help everyone :-)

Okay, I've just spent the last few hours looking for the perfect set of clear string lights to use for my pumpkin face.

I found several 300 sets, so if I twist these to bring them closer together, do any of you reckon that would work out well? If I can buy a few of these sets - then just attach and shape them to the chicken wire.