Have a look at this Video :swaying barrel zombieI've decided to steal this idea and make it my own....I hope you don't mind.
If a person wanted to do something simpler than the lifting mechanism and pivoting shoulders, elbows and wrists - this would likely be easier?
I didn't find any how he made it... but the title says wiper motor, so I am guessing that it is some crank arm moving him but on high speed?
And with rigid arms made of 1/2" PVC to get the some what arm waving motion? He looks more frantic than mine!
This person used pneumatics for his: Zombie trying to escape barrel
It looks great but might be a fairly complicated build similar to a "Casa Fear ground breaker Zombie" with a prop controller and compressor.
I see he used a similar twirling light to get the radioactive effect in barrel. I like how he says he whipped it up in a couple snow days....?
I have been avoiding pneumatic props so far to try and "keep things simple".... The reality is nothing is simple....!
I like the look of mine - but I may be biased.....