We're doing a float in our local 4th of July parade this year advertising for the new website we're working on. I want to have our animated skeleton standing on the float, talking about our haunt and new website. I really want to have his arms attached to some "control levers" that we can rig him to pull to activate something on the float (kind of like the brake lever on the old tilt-a-whirl rides). I need some ideas on what he could be controlling, and how to decorate. I was thinking maybe a mad lab scene, with him activating some effect by pulling the switches.... but that's all I can think of. Any ideas? It will be all DMX controlled, and I wouldn't even mind activating a fog machine or high pressure mist of sorts, just can't figure out how to work them in.
Need ideas for parade
Mechanical:
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Great idea! A friend of mine also suggested putting our electric chair animatronic on the float for him to trigger... do you think that would be to graphic for a parade? The figure is wearing a hood and the motion similar to deathlords chair, if that makes any difference.
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It would be difficult to put out too much scare during the parade since I expect there will be many young children. Bloody, graphic, or shocking depictions would anger parents.
Maybe something more subtle and ominous, like a portend of things to come. But also something that can showcase your abilities. Here's an idea:
The center of the float has a long "hallway" that hides the leaping creatures (I forget the technical name, but the one that rises and extends on armatures) hidden behind curtains. The entire outside of the hall is your ad banner. Manually controlled at various times, a section of the banner parts, and suddenly a leaper comes out, extending towrds the crowd. Could use a giant spider, skeleton, alien, etc. Use smoke machines, lights, and sound effects to amplify. A actor as the Grim Reaper could be on top of the whole thing on some sort of crypt looking alter, pantamiming (sp?) to the crowd to a pre-recorded monologue about how he, "...will come on all Hallows Eve to..." and, "...enter is you dare..." and, "...only the brave will survive...", etc.
Maybe have some actors in full costumes walking and acting alongside the float to showcase your costuming. You could time a few routines with the actors and leapers coming out of the float for a fun effect on the crowd.
Maybe add some water-spitting props to cool the hot summertime ToT's-to-be. Be sure to hand out spooky candy and knick-knacks to the crowd! Have a spooky music/sound fx score playing the whole time.
Not sure if I described clearly, I hope it was understandable.
Edit:
I just re-read your first post and forgot that you had an animatronic skelly set up. Replace Grim Reaper with Skelly. Skelly could be talking (mainly to himself) on how to "...operate this crazy thing...", pulling random levers to see what happens. That's when the leapers could come out.
"What does this button do?" (another skeleton gets flipped in the air with an accompanying "I can see my house from heeeeere!".
Any pyro effects allowed?
Maybe something more subtle and ominous, like a portend of things to come. But also something that can showcase your abilities. Here's an idea:
The center of the float has a long "hallway" that hides the leaping creatures (I forget the technical name, but the one that rises and extends on armatures) hidden behind curtains. The entire outside of the hall is your ad banner. Manually controlled at various times, a section of the banner parts, and suddenly a leaper comes out, extending towrds the crowd. Could use a giant spider, skeleton, alien, etc. Use smoke machines, lights, and sound effects to amplify. A actor as the Grim Reaper could be on top of the whole thing on some sort of crypt looking alter, pantamiming (sp?) to the crowd to a pre-recorded monologue about how he, "...will come on all Hallows Eve to..." and, "...enter is you dare..." and, "...only the brave will survive...", etc.
Maybe have some actors in full costumes walking and acting alongside the float to showcase your costuming. You could time a few routines with the actors and leapers coming out of the float for a fun effect on the crowd.
Maybe add some water-spitting props to cool the hot summertime ToT's-to-be. Be sure to hand out spooky candy and knick-knacks to the crowd! Have a spooky music/sound fx score playing the whole time.
Not sure if I described clearly, I hope it was understandable.
Edit:
I just re-read your first post and forgot that you had an animatronic skelly set up. Replace Grim Reaper with Skelly. Skelly could be talking (mainly to himself) on how to "...operate this crazy thing...", pulling random levers to see what happens. That's when the leapers could come out.
"What does this button do?" (another skeleton gets flipped in the air with an accompanying "I can see my house from heeeeere!".
Any pyro effects allowed?
Man... I wish pyro was allowed. Water spitters, balloons, or water guns are also not allowed... but I may be able to get away with pressurized mist if we spray it up, not out.
I love the idea of the jumping ghouls... and really wish we had the time to build something like this. Maybe next year....
I can so picture the animatronic Skelly screaming at the other skellies, "Who puts the large red button so close to the small green ones? Of course something like this is going to happen!"
I'll talk to some other designers i'm working with and see if we can work something out this year using already built props...
I love the idea of the jumping ghouls... and really wish we had the time to build something like this. Maybe next year....
I can so picture the animatronic Skelly screaming at the other skellies, "Who puts the large red button so close to the small green ones? Of course something like this is going to happen!"
I'll talk to some other designers i'm working with and see if we can work something out this year using already built props...
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You can have the skeleton open a coffin like the one I used in 2007. It contained a bathroom!
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