How to Animate Halloween Skeletons
- 1). Buy a skeleton that is 3-dimensional, for example one made out of plastic, rather than a flat 2-dimensional cardboard structure. This will make the skeleton's movements both easier to control and more realistic.
- 2). Arrange two lengths of flat wood about 2 to 3 feet in length in a cross shape. Place this on a flat surface ready for nailing together.
- 3). Nail the cross frame in place using the hammer and short nails or tacks if the wood is very light. Arrange pairs of nails or tacks at each end of the cross frame but do not hammer them in completely. These will act as points to hold and separate the controlling wires.
- 4). Drill small holes in the skeleton using the drill. The locations of the holes should be at the front and rear of the feet, on either side of the hipbone, on each side of the collarbone, through the skeleton's wrists, and on each side of the jawbone. For even more complex movements, you could drill holes through each fingertip. Drill two holes through the top of the skull and attach a long wire to it for hanging purposes, if there isn't already a string to hold the skeleton's skull up.
- 5). Insert wires through the drill points on the skeleton. To close the wire, twist the loose end around the fixed wire until it is secure. The wires should be long enough to reach to an area where you can surreptitiously pull on them without being seen.
- 6). Cover the loose end of each of the wires by wrapping adhesive tape around it and create a label by folding the tape over on itself. Mark each label with a description, such as "right collarbone" so you will know which wire to pull for a specific movement.
- 7). Attach the skeleton to the cross frame using wire through the top of the skull, making sure the distance between the skull and cross frame is enough to ensure the cross frame will be out of sight once the entire assembly is hung up.
- 8). Thread all wires apart from the skull wire through the pairs of tacks or nails, so each one is individually movable. Add more pairs of tacks or nails if necessary.
- 9). Hang the cross frame from a ceiling using either an existing hook or simply insert a ceiling hook in the appropriate place using the drill. Light fixtures may be strong enough to hold the assembly and act as a spooky spotlight on the skeleton. Alternatively, the skeleton can be hung over a tree limb in the garden.
- 10
Find a comfortable hiding place, get the end of the wires ready in your hands and practice making your skeleton move and dance. Don't laugh or you'll give it away.