I want to make an animated prop where the body opens up and it's skeleton pops out. I got the idea from a static display I saw on Pinterest. I am not sure what to use for the body. The one in the picture is made from a child size doll, but as far as I know they are not made any more, and the ones on eBay are too expensive for a prop. Does anyone have any ideas?
Skeleton leaving the body prop
Mechanical:
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I think there are two parts to an animated version of this prop:
- Skeleton pop-up. There's lots of info out there on this. If you did it fast, it probably needs to be pneumatic, but there might also be a way to use an electric motor. On the other hand, if you used a motor and the skeleton slowly sits up out of the body, that might be good too. Maybe better.
- The body. If you notice in the picture, only the lower part of the body is split open. For this to really work, the body would need to be split open from the top of the head all the way down to where the skeleton sits up, sort of like a coat. You might want to look for the various cheap zombie heads and try cutting one open down the front and then reinforcing it with coat hanger wire so it stays open, and leaves space for the skull to move.
You might be able to make it work with only the head being open and then the body could have old clothes on it (a checkered shirt and jeans?) and you wouldn't see the skin there. That way you could make a form that was split open and would leave space for the rib cage. Decorate around it with guts, maybe.
To sum up: The basic gag is that people see a body that's split open, all the way to the skeleton. Then the skeleton sits up! Use a prop controller so it cackles as it does. And figure out what else is in the scene to account for this. Did the person tinker with dark forces that backfired on him? Etc.
- Skeleton pop-up. There's lots of info out there on this. If you did it fast, it probably needs to be pneumatic, but there might also be a way to use an electric motor. On the other hand, if you used a motor and the skeleton slowly sits up out of the body, that might be good too. Maybe better.
- The body. If you notice in the picture, only the lower part of the body is split open. For this to really work, the body would need to be split open from the top of the head all the way down to where the skeleton sits up, sort of like a coat. You might want to look for the various cheap zombie heads and try cutting one open down the front and then reinforcing it with coat hanger wire so it stays open, and leaves space for the skull to move.
You might be able to make it work with only the head being open and then the body could have old clothes on it (a checkered shirt and jeans?) and you wouldn't see the skin there. That way you could make a form that was split open and would leave space for the rib cage. Decorate around it with guts, maybe.
To sum up: The basic gag is that people see a body that's split open, all the way to the skeleton. Then the skeleton sits up! Use a prop controller so it cackles as it does. And figure out what else is in the scene to account for this. Did the person tinker with dark forces that backfired on him? Etc.
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I think instead of making the skull come out with the skeleton, make just the arms, ribs, and lower come out. So you have the head, which you leave alone, connected to the neck and top of doll. Remove any body parts with just the bones (the hands will be an issue). Dress the doll so that the skeleton pops up out of the clothes instead of trying to make it pop out of the plastic body. The clothes will hid the surprise instead of the body.
I am going to be trying the same type of thing on my wheelchair granny...the hips stay on the chair while the rest of the skeleton pops up, so I have to use pants/dress for the legs which stay in place, but the top shirt will have to separate, showing the ribs and spine when she pops up. (sorry, don't have pics yet...still in planning phase).
I am going to be trying the same type of thing on my wheelchair granny...the hips stay on the chair while the rest of the skeleton pops up, so I have to use pants/dress for the legs which stay in place, but the top shirt will have to separate, showing the ribs and spine when she pops up. (sorry, don't have pics yet...still in planning phase).
Thanks for the replies. I will have to look for a head, that's a great idea. I want to get away from the flannel shirt/ jean bodies, I don't think they look all that good. I was thinking about making a paper mache body, or foam and latex. I just need a shape to start from. Has anyone ever made a duct tape dummy without a helper?
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I attempted to make a duct tape dress form by myself - it wasn't a successful endeavor, although someone with more patience than I have might have better luck.
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