Cheap Haunted House Props - Burnt Corpse
Here's an Easy-To-Make Prop for Your Home Haunt!
Oct 12, 2008
With Halloween fast approaching, many home owners are preparing their own little home haunts: small attractions meant to either scare or entertain neighborhood children and friends. With a bit of ingenuity, some imagination and a bit of time, one can set up a very fun (or very scary!) home haunt. A personal favorite is the burnt corpse, which turns a cheap skeleton into an expensive-looking prop.
Getting Started
Head to the local party or halloween store and pick up a $20 skeleton-in-a-bag. At any home improvement or craft store, pick up some paint (red, black and brown, or green, blue and yellow depending on the desired look). Lastly, a can or two of spray-on insulation foam.
The First Step - Adding Flesh
Once assembled, hang the skeleton from a tree in the backyard (or anywhere you can paint).
Being sure to wear latex gloves, carefully spray the foam onto the skeleton, adding a layer of thickness to it. Tap down the foam using your fingers to make sure it gets around the ribs. The important thing here is to maintain the original shape of the skeleton, but add a bit of what will become the burnt flesh (so random little lumps will only add to the effectiveness later on). If a hanging skeleton is being used, be careful not to spray down the hanging loop.
Painting Your Corpse
Depending on the desired end result, colors may vary. Most will want a blend of red, black and brown to give the flesh a nice burnt look. For a less scary attempt, try greens and other colors. Take into account where the corpse will be placed. For example, the light from a fire may not pick up too many details, and a colored flood light will either accent or phase out the painted colors.
Once the foam is in place and hardened, it's time to paint. Spray in random layers (allowing time to dry for each so colors don't run together), keeping in mind that darker colors are best for shadows and places where the corpse would be more burnt, depending on how it is placed. For example, if the corpse is placed horizontally over a fake fire (a real one will melt the foam) the underside would be more burnt.
Ready to Scare!
Once that's dry, the corpse is ready to be presented. Use the hanging loop (or carefully add one) and attach it to a fire-blackened board or whatever comes to mind, and its done!
If placed near a real fire for extra spookiness, be careful of how hot the fire gets... or the corpse could melt! For storage, be sure to move the corpse carefully so as not to add any extra cracks around the joints. Remember, underneath the spooky exterior lies a cheap plastic skeleton.
The Last Word
The burnt corpse is a great, relatively cheap prop that can be used year after year in a haunt, and it's a lot of fun to make. For more information about setting up a home haunt, visit cheap haunted house basics, and if you're interested in interior decorating for Halloween, find fun ideas here.
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