★ 2010 Halloween Pirates of the Caribbean Yard Haunt

For Halloween this year I'm inspired by Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" to create a 20 ft. long pirate ship made out of refrigerator cardboard boxes. It features an animated skeleton helmsman, fog lighted cannons, and an animated talking parrot. Other decorations in the yard include a custom made talking Jolly Roger skull above the front door, a skeleton sitting in a barrel continually drinking from his custom bottle, and a treasure chest full of pirate loot! The nighttime brings thunder sounds and animated lightning along with background theme music.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Halloween
• Pirates
• Yard
• Haunt
• display
• decorations
• music
• lights

[Mikiemike0051]

Hi again! I have my talking skull from cowlacious put together. I did a bunch of editing with that audacity program using a 15khz tone to better articulate the jaw. But it doesnt translate when put on an ipod. What did you do to get the smooth movement, and what did you use as an audio device to play it with? Your advice has helped alot!

[Betlenut]

I see others have already responded with good advice. Pan the actual talking on the left channel and the tone on the right channel. Have the jaw only respond to the right channel and only use the left channel (the talking sound) go to the speakers. This would solve the problem if your audio has music that would interfere with the jaw movement. I used small powered computer speakers as the audio device. You're on the right track, best of luck!

[JennieEleanor]

This is amazing! Wow! I was going to do a pirate theme too this year but don't have the mechanical skills or the time for this level of detail! Did you make the wheel too? How do get the wheel to go back and forth like that??

[Betlenut]

@JennieEleanor The ships wheel was made from a wagon wheel I bought for $17 at a store called Harbor Freight. I attached wooden chair legs from Home Depot around the outside of the wheel. A used car windshield wiper motor I bought on eBay makes the wheel turn left an right. The hands attached to the wheel have no other choice than to follow the movement back and forth. The ship is made out of cardboard and is 20 feet long!

[azpolea]

where did you get sounds and music?

[Betlenut]

@azpolea The sounds and music are all to be found on the internet. Do a Google search for what you want. It takes time to find but worth it.

[3mta3ko]

Good job! Looks like it was fun to build and then have people enjoy!

[Betlenut]

@Mikiemike0051 The green light was nothing more than two 90w colored flood lights attached at the bottom and pointing upwards. Yes you can string many lights to a one channel thunder light controller. Use photo flash light bulbs that are normally used in photography. Search google for Disneyland audio track for the Jolly Roger

[Mikiemike0051]

Thanks for the quick reply! Your set up is inspiring to say the least. Couple more questions though. What did you use for the green light on the helmsman? Also I purchased a one channel thunder light controller from monsterguts and was wondering if you knew if you can string more then one light to a one channel controler? Where did you get your audio track for the jolly Rodger? Thanks a bunch

[Betlenut]

There are several ways to accomplish this. I bought my skull at a garage sale and then purchased the servos and the audio server driver control board from cowlacious. They also sell the complete assembled talking skull for those that don't want to assemble it themselves. I've looked at many others shown on the internet, but I like the way my Jolly Roger came out better than most others. Thanks!