pumpkinrot/johnnyappleseed/roots

[heresjohnny]

I am working on a new prop, a morph between pumpkinrot, johnny appleseed and roots.

http://home.cfl.rr.com/myhalloweenpage/images/sc4.jpg

krough inspired me to think about static props

[Dr Morbius]

Coool ..Are you gonna paper mache?

[krough]

Thats funny Johnny. I saw the twitching arms and decided to build something mechanical.

here is a link to the plans I used

http://www.fulcrumsites.com/haunt/html/the_grave_grabber.html

[Frighteners Entertainment]

I am working on a new prop, a morph between pumpkinrot, johnny appleseed and roots.

http://home.cfl.rr.com/myhalloweenpage/images/sc4.jpg

krough inspired me to think about static props

Nice start!

Jeff

[heresjohnny]

I'm gonna paper mache the head in the traditional pumpkinrot style, but thats all the paper mache I'm planning on now. This thing is already bigger than I planned on (8'). I am replacing the posted picture with one where I think the ribs are pretty much done. A couple of things I've learned about grapevines. When they are fresh and you start twisting and bending them, do not have anything under the cut ends (including yourself!), lots of grapevine juice WILL come out of the ends. Another thing is to go ahead and use lots of wire to hold everything in place. In a day or two the vines dry out in whatever position you put them, and most of the wiring can be removed. This will be a huge help, cause I think I will be able to take it apart and store it pretty easy without it losing it's shape.

[Frighteners Entertainment]

If you get into this and like it, we'll need talk:D

Jeff

[heresjohnny]

Thats funny Johnny. I saw the twitching arms and decided to build something mechanical.

here is a link to the plans I used

http://www.fulcrumsites.com/haunt/html/the_grave_grabber.html

krough, that is great! Trigger that when someone walks close to it and you will scare the **** out of some people!

[krough]

I gotta figure out the PIR type trigger, I havent done any triggered props yet. My MIB (based on zombies how-to) is triggered by wireless remote.
Also would like to add sound later. Ill post pics when I have him finished.

[PeeWeePinson]

I am going to try a Johnny this year so I am inspired. I am curious about what your Guy's face will look like.

[DeathTouch]

I figure after he gets done with all the details, he should look like this. If everything goes well.

http://www.askmen.com/toys/battle/pictures/35_george_w_bush.JPG

[Frighteners Entertainment]

I figure after he gets done with all the details, he should look like this. If everything goes well.

http://www.askmen.com/toys/battle/pictures/35_george_w_bush.JPG

You just scared the S*** out of me!
Good Job!!

Jeff

[HalloweenRick]

Man that is scary!!!!!!! According to this teacher out in Colorado, he's very similar to some 1940ish German dictator!!!!!

[HibLaGrande]

this dictator?
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/HibLaGrande/bushler.gif

[heresjohnny]

Heres the latest on the scarecrow. What do you think, is it time to paint and finish?

http://home.cfl.rr.com/myhalloweenpage/images/full.jpg

[DeathTouch]

Oh, that is looking really good. I guess I was wrong about him looking like bush. Sorry...

I hope you didn't leave that drill out in the yard. LOL.

[heresjohnny]

Thanks DeathTouch. Nothing to be sorry for, it's all fun!

[DeathTouch]

True, but I could of waited till after you got him done to mess with you.

[Hella]

It's looking really good HJ!

[heresjohnny]

The shirt was just not working, so I went out today and found an old black trench coat at a thrift store, ala Johnny Appleseed.

[DeathTouch]

You know heresjohnny, it kind of reminds me of a pumpkinrot spider. Hummmmmm

[mrklaw]

wow, your project page for the scarecrow makes it seem so easy. Where did you get the grape vine? Did you scavenge it or buy it somewhere?

[heresjohnny]

There is grapevine all over in East Central Florida, so I got permission from the land owners to help relieve them of some of their grapevine. They are usually happy to let you take some, it can sometimes overwhelm trees.

It has been pretty easy to make. Right now I am just throwing it together. Afterwards I plan on redoing some of it to allow for storage and longevity; I will try to make a more detailed how-to at that time. The key with the grapevine seems to be getting it into the shape you want (using plenty of wire) while it is still fresh and flexible. After it dries it holds its shape pretty good and much of the wire can be removed or replaced with wood screws and/or glue.

Grapegirl is getting rid of some grapevine (this forum and others) most of the stuff I used was about an inch or so in diameter (1/2" to 3/4" for the ribs), maybe you could work an arrangement with her. My concern is if you would be able to wet the vine and make it flexible again....maybe grapegirl could wrap it in plastic???

Hope this helps.

wow, your project page for the scarecrow makes it seem so easy. Where did you get the grape vine? Did you scavenge it or buy it somewhere?

[grapegrl]

Thanks for the plug, heresjohnny! :D I am indeed trying to unload some surplus grapevine before my huge pile of cuttings becomes a Beltane bonfire! Right now, my vines are still quite flexible (since the vines contain lots of moisture before being cut and these were cut in late January), so they are ready to work with once they are received. Most of my cuttings are not so thick as the ones pictured on HJ's gorgeous prop, but I usually try include some thicker pieces with lots of branching that are suitable for ribcages or claw-like appendages (and will make a point of doing so by request).

[lewlew]

heresjohnny, nice work with the scarecrow! I built mine last year from grapevines and it was really very easy. The nice thing about storing it outside(I have mine propped up behind my shed) is that grapevine starts to shred long stingy pieces of bark as it ages. It really adds to that decayed look.

http://halloweengallery.com/albums/userpics/10185/normal_Grapecrow3.JPG
http://halloweengallery.com/albums/userpics/10185/normal_Grapecrow4.JPG

[Hella]

very nice lewlew, I like it.
good to know about the storage thing too, mine will be stored year round in the garden..lol that ought to really make the neighbors think I am strange..lol

[Frighteners Entertainment]

I agree, nice piece of work!

Jeff

[heresjohnny]

Thats awesome lewlew, thanks for posting the picture. I keep mine hidden out behind the shed (lol), so I should benifit from the weathering effect you descibed!

[heresjohnny]

Help!! I have not paper mache'd in decades. I tried the snot rag approach, and it evolved into something that looks kinda like a mummy pumpkin head. Does this look okay? Please be honest.

http://www.johnnyspage.com/images/headmache.jpg

[Frighteners Entertainment]

Looks real good, by time you apply your paint, you'll be very pleased!

Jeff

[DeathTouch]

Yea, it just like sex. You need a towel after you are done. LOL.

[heresjohnny]

DT, I'll take that as a 'looks good, paint it'!

[DeathTouch]

DT, I'll take that as a 'looks good, paint it'!

You take the fun out of everything.. LOL It is looking good...

[heresjohnny]

Got the head painted.

http://www.johnnyspage.com/video/head%20painted.jpg

I also added vines to make it look like the neck expands up into the pumpkin head. I'll post pictures on that soon.

[DeathTouch]

Now who is the tease? That is looking good...

[Dr Morbius]

Great job, HJ!!! Now I gotta make one.

[krypt]

Great job, HJ!!! Now I gotta make one.

when dr. works on somthing its gonna shoot sparks ,flaming tounge,eyes pop in and out makes my stuff look like it stands still

[heresjohnny]

Bout got the scarecrow done. Here are some pictures.

http://www.johnnyspage.com/video/final4.jpg

and (I hope this is not too big)

http://www.johnnyspage.com/video/final2.jpg

[Dr Morbius]

when dr. works on somthing its gonna shoot sparks ,flaming tounge,eyes pop in and out makes my stuff look like it stands still


Hehe...Flames out it's butt..Now THAT would be cool...Sounds like a dog I know..:D

HJ, that coat looks great..perfect for the pumpkinrot! Are you gonna Mache' any of it? Just curious.
Great job!

[Zombie-F]

Bout got the scarecrow done. Here are some pictures.

http://www.johnnyspage.com/video/final4.jpg

and (I hope this is not too big)

http://www.johnnyspage.com/video/final2.jpg

Second pic was too big... broke the tables. So, I changed it to a URL instead of a picture.

[heresjohnny]

Hehe...Flames out it's butt..Now THAT would be cool...Sounds like a dog I know..:D

HJ, that coat looks great..perfect for the pumpkinrot! Are you gonna Mache' any of it? Just curious.
Great job!

What are you thinking might be mached? I'm always open to ideas!

Sorry bout that Zombie-f!

http://www.johnnyspage.com/images/final2a.jpg

[Hella]

Looks Good HJ, I think you need to distress the coat a bit more though, looks too nice...lol

[darryl]

I have to say I agree with Hella HJ, it looks awesome but would look even more terrorizing if the coat was distressed instead of just of the rack from Target.
Plus I owe you a thank you, I think the grape vines are scary as hell but living in the north west you really don't see grape vines too much but it just hit me like a brick when I was reading your post that there is a vineyard/tasting place right here in my town. Hell, I drive by the thing everyday, it sits on a hill off the freeway a little off into the distance. I've heard they import most of their grapes but also have some vines growing at the tasting vicinity for looks. I'm sure they must trim them yearly!!
By the way anyone here seen this post:
http://skullandbone.com/tutorial_04.htm
Anyone up for the challenge?

[heresjohnny]

Thanks, you're right the coat needs to be distressed. But I have to tell you, that is a $5 'Londen Fog' coat from a thrift store, and I have been throwing brown paint on it, and burying it, and grinding dirt into it, and pounding on it, and it keeps coming out looking almost new! I think it may have some water/stain repealent in the fabric. If I ever get a coat it's gonna be one of these!

John from Pumpkinrot passed on some ideas about using paper mache glue that I might have to try.. My concern is that it will dry hard and I won't be able to take it off and store it.

[mrklaw]

Have you tried using draino to distress the coat? This is a bad idea if you are going to wear it, but I've heard it works well for props.

[heresjohnny]

mrklaw, that is an interesting idea. Any instructions or howtos available?

[mrklaw]

Sorry, I've never done it, but I have heard that other people have done it on Halloween-L a few years ago. I tried using pure bleach to distress my clothes when I was a zombie for Halloween and it turned out looking more like acid wash clothes :(

[heresjohnny]

I listened to the feedback about the coat, and after seeing Jeepers Creepers last night I had to try one more time. Here are the final results.

http://johnnyspage.com/video/final4.jpg
http://johnnyspage.com/images/final2a.jpg

Nows it time to make a skull mold and try to finish my cheap walls idea. Thanks for the help!:D

[darryl]

Looks great!! What is the cheap walls idea? I think we might be in for the same idea. A room full of skulls mounted to the walls and even some partial skelletons that pop out at you when you go by. All mounted in the undertakers cottage where the kids go in to get their candy. Maybe we could work together on some ideas if we are on the same wave length?

[Zombie-F]

I had to split this thread as it started to go off topic. Please try not to stray too far off topic. :)

[heresjohnny]

Yes Master:eek:

[Slarti]

I see I'm not the only one awed and inspired *cough* to rip off *cough* from Pumpkinrot's stuff. I just saw Roots for the first time a few days ago and I'm in love!

This looks like an awesome critter too! I can't wait to see how it ends up!

[heresjohnny]

Thanks there Slarti, it is pretty much done for now. Closer to Halloween I plan on messing with the ribs a little and adding some flicker. I have another scarcrow in mind that is original, but hey, robbery is the highest form of flattery ;)