Animated Cloaked Ghost Part II

The hands are just about done, now it is time to dress the ghost using black cloth. I built the hands using the same technique as the previous ghosts. First build an armature using small newspaper balls for knuckles, and masking tape to hold everything together.

Once the hands are together I pose them, and if needed secure them so they hold the pose while the paper mache dries.

The following video shows the ghost with the rough hands and the basic cloak outline in place. I am also getting questions about how I figure linkages. The following video shows how I lay everything out with cardboard and tacks to at least get close (this is after several sketches). I take the final strips and use them to check the fit as I assemble the actual linkages. As I built the ghost, the location of the motor or arms would change, and I would modify the cardboard mock-up accordingly. Note that the head and left arm linkages were close, but the right arm prototype did not capture the complexity of that movement. I also spend a lot of time sitting and watching things in motion, and tweaking until things look right.

Cloaked Ghost WIP part 1

I finally got started on a new ghost. This will be another version of the cloaked ghost. The original cloaked ghost is a product of Pumpkinrot..

Grim came up with his own version...

My ghost will be modeled after Grim's version. What I really like about Grim's version is the way the void in the hood opens into the body of the ghost. The animated cloaked ghost will have 3 movements. The head will look back and forth. The right hand will hold a lantern, and it will extend the lantern out as it keeps watch over all TOT walking by. Finally, the left hand will point at the TOTs as they walk by, slowly moving back and forth as if pointing to each TOT. The video below shows the armature with the basic movement done... Next steps will be completing the hands and arms with mache, and forming the hood. The ghost will use RIT treated cheese cloth; the challenge will be to recreate the void as in Grim's ghost with the UV reactive cloth.

Hey everyone. I found out someone needed the templates for the wallbreaker, so I have made the template document available under how-tos. I think I have about 1 more month of house remodeling left in me. Already told wife that I want to build some ghosts. I figure I will have September and October to break in the new shop, which is a small 1 car garage that was added to the original 2 car garage. I finally have my own shop! First will be a new cloaked ghost. I want to add to the FCG idea by linking at least the hands and head to the arms, so I get some additional movement in addition to the typical 3 line marionette. Second will be the third version of the leer ghost. For this one I will try to get away from using lines, and I am adding a pivot point at the base of the torso. The ghost will use 2 motors, 1 to raise and lower the body at the new pivot point, and 1 to drive the original head and arm movement from the last one.

Static Ghost by GrimleeFeindish

I saw this over at HauntForum.com, a simple but very effective static ghost by GrimleeFeindish. This was built by using a mache groundbreaker as an armature, and draping it with strips of cheese cloth that had been washed in RIT. Afterwards he brushed on fabric stiffener. The result has a lot of voids, and areas where the cheesecloth gathers into thicker stands. I really like the effect, and will have to try some of the techniques myself. Thanks GrimleeFeindish!

I'm not a ghost

Quick note to say hi, that I am not a ghost myself, but the bug is starting to bite again. May have to build a new host of ghosts soon!

Cloaked FCG

Quick post to show my new Flying Crank Ghost based on Pumpkinrots Cloaked Ghost.

Leer ghost is complete

The Leer Ghost is done, I think I will be challenging some TOTers this Halloween.  First the video.  This was taken in my garage with a small fan providing a breeze.  You can make out the door underneath, so this gives perspective of what it will look like on Halloween night.  Its not on a motion detector, I just walked up and turned it on.



This ghost is MUCH simpler than the WallBreaker, and I think very suitable for a kit that will be simpler, less expensive and more robust. I am also making a second Leer Ghost on commision, if you are interested in commision work please contact me.

Next up I am redoing my Flying Crank Ghost after getting turned on to Pumpkinrots cloaked ghost, which has also been done by Grim Hollow.  Every FCG I have ever seen has a head of some sort, and most have hands of some sort.  I am trying to make one with a void for the head and hands.

Some closing shots of the Leer Ghost.