Screaming Tombstone

[dionicia]

Hello.

Here is my submission for the Prop Challenge. This is my first submission so please be kind. If I missed anything, please let me know.

When I first read about this prop challenge, I went outside into my garage and looked at some of the extra odds and ends that were laying about. I had a left over piece or should I say only surviving piece of foam board left from my old mausoleum that had been destroyed by strong winds earlier in the year. I then though it was just big enough to make a tombstone and the little gears in my head started to move.

I had a lot of fun making this tombstone and I hope everyone enjoys it just as much as I do.

Materials:
Most of my materials I priced from Lowes, Allelectronics.com, Surpluscenter.com and triaxialskulllabs.com.

$29.95 -5 foam skulls
$0.28 - 1" piece white foam - 2 sf
$2.86 - 1X3 wood - 71 1/2"
$4.40 - 2X3 wood - 55"
$0.96 - 1X4 wood - 24"
$3.64 - tube strong stik glue
$0.99 - 9 small washers
$2.99 - small motor
$3.25 - 12v 200 MA adapter
$0.36 - 8 plastic washers
$0.76 - 1" corner brace
$0.60 - 2 long hot glue sticks
$0.12 - 50lb fishing line - 93"
$0.16 - Large fender washer
$0.46 - m6 1" bolt - 2
$4.99 - joint compound 3lb tub
$2.50 - 100mm 20 awg connector wires x 5
$14 - 10 LED fader kit
$5.08 - Door Bell Wire
$0.20 - Red and Black 18ga wire
$2.50 - Heat Shrink Tubing - 40"
$0.17 - 1/4" gray pvc 5"
$0.06 - 4" zip ties - 2
$0.61 - small eyelets -10
$0.12 - 1/2" wide aluminum bar - 1 1/2"
$2.90 - screws - 44
$2.20 - 5 fishing barrel swivel w/ interlock snap
$0.48 - 5.2mm lauan plywood 3 1/2" x 21"
$0.05 - white card stock 1 sheet
$0.14 - 1 nylon lock nut
$0.06 - 3 ft joint tape
$3.00 - Oops paint gray
$1.00 - dark green craft paint
Total $91.84

The jaws move using the concept of the FCG and the LEDs were designed to fade on and off.

Here is a video of the movement and the eyes (pardon the mess). YouTube - Screaming Tombstone

[Zombie-F]

Very nice!

Most of what you added to the cost falls under the free item categories, but you're so far under budget it matters not.

[jaege]

I am not going to be kind since there is no need. That is damn innovative. The method you used for the jaw movement is very impressive.I love the eyes.

[HalloweenZombie]

I like it a lot! I love the fading green eyes. Where did you pick up the LED fader kit? I must know.

[dionicia]

I like it a lot! I love the fading green eyes. Where did you pick up the LED fader kit? I must know.

Deathly put them together for me. I'll check to see if he would be willing to sell these on his website for folks.

[dionicia]

I forgot to add the 9 volt to the materials list. That was $2.62.

[Otaku]

Way, way cool! That's a very nice twist on the FCG mechanism. Well done!

[dionicia]

A compliment from Otaku is better than Halloween Candy. :D

Thank you.

[Wildcat]

That is great. I agree that the new use of the FCG method of motion transfer is a great way to do the jaws.
The final appearance looks awesome. Well done.

[Haunted Bayou]

That looks really cool. Even if the jaws didn't move ....the eyes look great.

[steveshauntedyard]

Great idea! Yes well done

[niblique71]

I think the FCG principal is really being explored lately..... Yet another screaming good example of what that simple mechanism can do... Fantastic job :)

[RoxyBlue]

I agree with Niblique - an original take on an established mechanism - well done!

[Dark Angel 27]

great job. i'm impressed

[hlmn]

This is a very nice prop great job

[stick]

Love the effect, great job

[Joiseygal]

Wow thats using your noodle! Very nice job!!!

[Devils Chariot]

That is brilliant!!! Excellent motor/movement idea!!!

[spideranne]

Very cool idea and I love the eye effect.

[Dead Things]

I agree about the innovative use of the FCG, excellent job! I can hear them moaning!

[nixie]

Very nicely done, and very creative!! Great job!

[Revenant]

Beautiful! Talking about getting the most bang for your buck... Love it!

[heresjohnny]

Oh, I can't believe I missed this, I'm slacking. Love seeing the use of the motor/crank in a new way, most excellent!

[dionicia]

Thanks everyone.

Heresjohnny, when I saw the wall breaker you came up with, I got excited at the prospect of trying something different using the FCG mechanism. Your was the inspiration.

[DoomBuddy]

Excellent!!

[fick209]

Very creative, excellent job!

[TNBrad]

Sweet! that is a really cool stone. The video is good but a little dark on the backside workings. it might just be my computer though.

[pyro]

that is way too cool -

[MattCoon]

Sorry to sound like an echo, but that is a cool prop, and a VERY cool use of the crank mechanism. I bet that it will inspire more new creative applications down the road.

[Just Whisper]

Agreed, the FCG mechanism for this prop is what makes it so cool. Why reinvent the wheel? Not necessary. But finding a new use for it? Great job. And the eyes... decidedly remarkable. I love the emerald green. This is a prop to be proud of.

[hpropman]

Crank props are truly being fully explored by this group what can I say that has not been said already. So what everyone else said times two. Very clever use of the crank system.

[Hellrazor]

That is great!

[turtle2778]

Nice job, I liked it alot!!

[Zurgh]

Very nice!

[Aquayne]

Great work. Love he mechanical angle rather than electronic. People like me can use it.

[remylass]

Wow. You really ran with the idea. Great job.

[dionicia]

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I wish I had thought of using an MP3 and a speaker to make them scream. I still might before Halloween though the other sounds of the cemetery may drown it out.

[kprimm]

Very cool prop, it looks great. Very nice smooth movement.

[BloodyHarry]

ive never worked with motors and am not good mechanically but i would love to learn can anyone suggest basic forms of these techniques,etc. do they sell motors that would just help a dummy vibrate or use its arms. Prob a dumb question t0o those that know this stuff but i have no idea and really want to try. Any help would be much appreciated.

[dionicia]

You might be looking for something similar to a flying crank ghost. That is what my tombstone is based off of.

I hope that gets you started.

[MacEricG]

dionicia: I like how you reworked the FCG mechanics into a whole new concept. The slow movement of the mouths is very creepy.

Ever since I saw Johnny Depp in Sleepy Hollow, I've been thinking of faces of tortured souls trapped in a cursed tree. Bet your concept would work well for something like that — especially if something could be done to work mouths and the opening of eyes.

[dionicia]

You know that doesn't sound like a half bad idea. I'm going to try and put a haunted tree together this year. I might have to see if I can work that in. :)