Update (10/14/2001)
I completed painting one of the coffins and got the hinges mounted for the
lid assembly. I also added a return spring and extension limit to all of
the pneumatic pistons. This has resolved a problem with the pistons
getting stuck at full extension.
I'll be working on the coffin stand and heads for the grave jumpers this week
and hopefully I'll have the skeleton animated and ready to go this weekend.
I forgot to take some pictures of the construction process... I have
one more coffin to make, so I'll try to remember to take some pictures as I put
it together.
Update (10/18/2001)
The skeleton is almost complete now. I could leave the door open at
this point and it would work just fine. I'm still having problems with the
door. If the door was reinforced with something I could have it working
without any problems, but because it's just a sheet of Styrofoam, it's a bit
harder to find something reliable enough to run all night without breaking the
door or having any other problems. I have a few ideas, but I have not had
a chance to sit down and work it all out yet.
I've decided to go ahead and combine the ghost and coffin rooms in one
location. I will turn my garage into a cave and include both the coffins,
bats and ghost(s) in the setting. I was having trouble figuring out the
sound system (specifically how to cover the noise of the bat motors), so
combining the two scenes will allow me to add a bit more background noise and
still not have it drown out the main effect sounds. The ghost(s) will be
included into the story behind the coffins (perhaps the lost souls that belong
to the bodies?). I will be able to add a fire effect to the back of the
cave this way. Iike the echoing effect that a lot of my sound tracks have,
so the cave will lend itself nicely.
I've been toying with the idea of doing something simple in the back of the
house too. Perhaps a projected ghost with a few scattered grave stones for
the passing traffic? The hot tub could be visible with a red or blue lens
over the light? Hmmm so many decisions to make with little time remaining.
I will focus on getting everything I've already planned done and then come
back here for additional ideas if necesary.
Update (11/01/01)
Halloween was a success!!!
I don't have a lot of time to write, but I've added a few new pictures to the
website. I'm going to be putting together an on-line video (hopefully)
that will show the whole "haunt" as it appeared on Halloween...
Thanks to some help from Jason and Will, I had everything set up on time and
working perfectly!
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