This former Disney Imagineer and illustrator converted his family’s garage into a scene from the classic Snow White tale with an animatronic Halloween prop display.
Mike Schwalm created the evil witch at her cauldron in this scene bathed in blacklight and set to music.
Outside his garage, a larger-than-life fire breathing dragon peers down upon the heads of unsuspecting trick-or-treaters!
Mike was kind enough to share some behind the scenes photos as he was putting it all together.
These props are over the top! What do you think?
Animatronic Evil Witch Prop Lights Up The Night For Trick or Treaters!
Images by Mike Schwalm / Youtube.
Mike handmade his character forms by wrapping them with masking tape to give them shape.
Look at the expressive detail in the witch’s fingers, face, eyes and nose…
Mike is an illustrator by trade, so by using his software, he whipped up the ideal scene for two characters – a witch and dragon.
Both characters are framed with PVC pipe and fittings.
The dragon’s tallest point even maxed out the height of the garage!
Mike skillfully put each prop together – notice the witch’s back made of chicken wire…what a pose!
Even with a crazy look in her eye, she has a stage to stir her magic brew!
A full background adds depth (and made you forget this is a garage!)…
Inside her neck, a lifting motor mechanism makes her head nod up and down…
…an interior view of the cauldron shows you how the stirring motor is placed.
Here are the nodding and brewing motions in action!
With a little lighting and paint, this dragon head gets spooky!
Wait a minute, is that baby safe–Mike where are you?!
Take a closer look at the prop’s PVC frame used before it was changed to wood the following year.
Is it hot in here? This Dragon puffs real smoke!
*Insurance agent calls* Are you being a good neighbor…? #NothingToSeeHere!
Blacklight paint really makes this Halloween prop “POP!” with a mystical storybook appeal.
The dragon’s wood frame allows for more height, stability, and maneuverability (keep scrolling for the video.)
Check out these nighttime captures before Halloween night!
Staying up late puts a little fire in his belly!
Even the daytime pics look pretty fantastic.
Adding blacklight reflective paint gives it that Disney-esque dark ride flavor.
Enjoy a time-lapse video of Mike and his wife setting up their animated Halloween prop display, as their little pumpkin runs around in the background!
Thank you Mike!
For more info about this haunt, check out Mike’s blog and Instagram.
Mike pulls inspiration from his childhood when he dreamt to become a theme park designer. (Hey, dreams really do come true!) 😉
Images by Mike Schwalm.
Our big thanks to Mike for sharing!
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