Random crap with Uno.

[Unorthodox]

Yeah, I had lots of trouble with video cameras early on.  You either couldn't hear anything, or it was too loud.  SO disappointed in 2009 when the camera SUCKED it up. 

We just gave up in 2011. 

We had a half decent one this year, but all cameras seem to really detest torch light for some reason, so they are all filming dark. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Human eyes are better than the best NASA probe cameras, hands-down - just not specialized, but far more flexible and adjustable.

[Unorthodox]

Going through lots of old stuff. 

2004 isn't worth looking much into, it was me with 5 torches. 

2005 started the whole skull fetish, even got some corn in there...well, there was a whole concept there that gets lost.  The overall plan at this point was to just add a few skulls every year. 



2006 was the first home build on a budget.  An ENTRANCE.  I wanted it to STAND OUT, as it was our first epilepsy safe year. 



2007 was my previous favorite year. 

(presently 2010 > 2007 > 2012) 
Fortunately I kept hard numbers.

2007, 100 skulls, 75 stakes:



2008, 330 skulls, 200 spikes (PLUS we added a hut and Fred, condensing that into a much tighter space anyway...what was I thinking?)



2009, I recognized the mistake, cut it down to 200 skulls, spread across both front and back yard...and it just became monotonous to continue to go through the same thing for that long.  It's also the year the camera took a dump because...well, jacob's ladders (from an unrelated project) can generate enough EMF to FRY your electronics...didn't know that. 

The good thing from 2009, it was the beginning of my conversion to pumpkins.  I wouldn't mind bringing some of the pumpkin spikes back either.  heh.  I actually thought 24 pumpkins was "a lot" back then. 



2010 was the beginning of "The Harvest".  60 pumpkins, some corn, some reed grass.  That's it. 



2011 we bumped it to 100 pumpkins, but didn't take enough care to SPREAD THEM OUT!  What you end up with is the pumpkin path.  AND they got concentrated in the front yard.  Live and learn.   


2012, we did the 119 pumpkins right.  SPREAD them out.  Make some DEPTH.  (only reason this isn't my favorite year is I really don't "feel" the whole graveyard thing in back, but I know a lot of folks do) 



So, where does that put us for 2013? 

We're going back to the skulls of 2007, but mixed in with the reed grass and pumpkins, we don't need that many.  100 MAX.  Probably only need 50-75.  (will make 100 anyway for spares/other projects)  I actually have 50 already, but would prefer some variety to the models. 

I had been considering going to 150 pumpkins.  This would be a mistake.  100-120 is the number for this size, especially if I'm adding some breathing graves in.  We need to mix those and the skull spikes in and spread the pumpkins even more evenly to the back yard. 

I want to bring back some of the spiked pumpkins.  Let's say 20 out of the 100 at most.  That means me or my uncle need to plant pie pumpkins. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Thanks for the overview.  I know that was a lot of work. 

Interesting.

[Unorthodox]

Guess I should explain a breathing grave over here.  I was copying that thing from the Halloween forum. 

http://youtu.be/c37mbkNvNDw

(that's a poorly disguised undersized example, but there you go)

I want to do those with some Serpent and the Rainbow styled "graves". 

(crappy screen grab I know)



the veve should accentuate the movement. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Good idea.  With better concealment, it ought to really be creepy.

[Unorthodox]

So, looks like the graves are going to run $50 a pop if I buy new motors for them all. 

Reindeer motors are a little weak for these, but I might be able to use that to my advantage, will have to try one, then I could do 3 for free. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Dry, dusty, soil and try to keep it dry to take some burden off the motors?

[Unorthodox]

Well, deer motors REVERSE when they overload.  So, if I can get it set right, we'll get a PAUSE with a crank UP, then a revers, to get a second crank up, pause, reverse. 

As for the dirt, I have an idea on that.

One of my more fond memories was making pictures with glue. 

Spread some glue, dust with some sand, and you have dirt.  now glue some sticks for trees, etc. 

I'm going to try the same kind of thing with this cover cloth.  Debating between spray adhesive and mod podge for the glue. 

[Unorthodox]

In my wildest dream, my entire front yard would be a giant breathing grave with the bridge of death down the middle. 

Never happen, maybe in my next professional job. 

[Buster's Uncle]

[Unorthodox]

So, the one thing that jumps out at me from the above plan.


It's a lot of PRODUCTION, but virtually no DEVELOPEMENT.  Nothing there is going to push me like Trevor did. 

So, do I target something big and new to do in the yard, finally dip my toes into some honest to goodness animatronics?  Or some special project like the bob tutorial, maybe a Chimera tutorial? 

[Buster's Uncle]

I think the tutorials ultimately do the world more good by a long shot...

Are we still talking about one grave or the whole yard?  The former seems worth doing and a lot more practical.

[Unorthodox]

I could never frame in the entire yard and elevate the bridge to make that happen.  I'd LOVE to.  Like I said, maybe my next professional job.  a 10x8 room space is a lot more reasonable to do something like that for

we're talking a handful of graves.  3-5. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Really, one or two ought to be plenty.