Halloween 2007 - Spooky Robot Lady

I've mentioned on this blog that I'm a fan of the old Fritz Lang silent film METROPOLIS. One October, years ago, my own cheap version of "False Maria" (the classic robot in the movie) was made. My niece Devin calls her "spooky robot lady"...the name's stuck. It's one of the oldest customized Halloween props I still use. She's displayed on the dining table every season as the guardian of the party food. She was once a used and broken mannequin. Her creation became a team effort. Two friends helped give her life (2 years apart). Not that it's so special or unique that it needed the help to make, it's just what happened over the years. Click on pictures to enlarge.



Back in 2001, Paul Pistore and I were working together on another project when Halloween came around. I told him about this old mannequin I wanted to make look like a "False Maria" for Halloween that year. He wanted to help create. The figure was missing a hand and he custom made a "un skinned" robo-skeleton one. I love it. The best part of the figure. Paul made low tech construction, elegant.


He also made glowing purple eyes with Christmas lights and a fun LED blinking antennae. After 5 Halloween seasons, this year was the only one the lights failed to work. Kudos to Paul's electronic genius...twas' an exceptional run for something only expected to work for one Halloween. I've known union electricians who take 14 hours to get a store bought practical light I've put on a set to work. I'll fix before next year. In the meantime, here is a cheap photoshop enhanced image of what it looked like when working...



In 2003, with friend Jason Garner one night, with nothing better to do, we got creative and decided to detail her. Jason added small "tech" screws everywhere. It sold the robotic feel. The open back of her head (opened by Paul to add the lighting) once had the cut out piece to put back in. I've lost it since. Jason helped create the exposed faux electronic brain in it's place.


"False Maria" is an old woman now and falling apart. Spooky Robot Lady deserves a full blown makeover before Halloween 2008.

Two reasons I love our dog Grover...

1) He's creative and started decorating for Christmas. He's making the backyard a winter wonderland using the stuffing from a lawn chair cushion. I'm curious to see what he does with my sock and chewed up sneaker...


2) He takes himself for walks...



Oh, that Grover! (canned laughter)

You know you have a toy collecting problem...

when your 5 year old niece becomes a STAR WARS enabler. She made me these great crayon & scotch taped together cut outs of Luke and R2 to put in my display.



The geek I am loves her for being movie specific...she made Luke Skywalker from RETURN of the JEDI in the dark clothes and wearing black gloves. This was the movie from the trilogy we watched together one afternoon a long time ago in a neighborhood not so far away.

The geek I am also notes...Luke's hair is more Anakin Skywalker from REVENGE of the SITH. Devin said it was Luke so I'll accept her artistic interpretation. I'll correct her years from now in High School when she could care less and be embarrassed because I'm the dorky Uncle.

I could not believe my eyes.

As a cartoonist, you draw the the absurd and cliche to get a laugh. The real world always surprises me with living, breathing caricatures. I saw this woman coming up the escalator at a store yesterday (and yes, it was a woman). The t-shirt image is the actual one she was wearing. This is a life drawing, not a cartoon.

Click on image to enlarge.


The Holidays are Here.

One annual phone call I get marks the beginning of the Holiday season for me...

"Hi Dave, it's Nicole at Screen Door Entertainment. Want to do our Christmas card again this year? Oh and do you have your receipts together YET from KNITTY GRITTY last season?

Ah...to get that call is like a warm cup of Cocoa, the smell of pine trees and the laughter of children on Christmas morning.

Here's the idea/sketch for 2007, spotlighting the SDE logo.

Just for fun and photoshop practice...

Sick of my Halloween posts?


I know it's November. I'm over Halloween (almost). A few posts about the past holiday season might slip in this month but I'm focused on Pilgrims and Turkeys now.

Halloween 2007 - Skeletons

A busy working weekend kept me from the mentioned postings of more Halloween stuff a few days ago. I should never again write that I will post anything later, tonight, tomorrow or this weekend. It curses me.

Well, back to it. Here are pictures of this season's skeleton crew. I added one new guy this year sitting on a pillar but had to take a lot of time reworking all when 2 days of high winds blew arms off and busted them up pretty good. I was disappointed not being able to find more time to make others I had planned.

Halloween 2007 - Videos

Videos of "trick or treaters" getting scared taken by my brother Ted . There a little dark and hard to see all the details. Not Ted's fault though, just the result of camera unfriendly mood lighting... but I think you get an idea of the fun had. Almost everyone approaches cautiously, questioning if I was a dummy or not.



I really wish the camera was rolling when my own sister, Megan was standing in front of Frankenstein trying to tell my niece to not be scared because it was only me in the costume. Then I moved and she screamed, jumping. Megan did not instill much confidence in her daughter.

Halloween 2007 - The Great Pumpkin

One of the more popular new things on the lawn this year was The Great Pumpkin (as I call him). He was so simple to make and did look impressive standing 10 feet high with 8' arms. He really came to life when I added fake crows on his arms. He'll definitely get extra detailing next year.




Halloween 2007 - The Bride

There are so many pictures and stories from Halloween this year I want to show and tell. Check in often, they'll be lots posted this weekend. First up, some pictures of the ghost bride.


Halloween 2007

Well, another Halloween has come and gone. It was a good evening and will have lot's of pictures to post tomorrow. In the meantime here's a late night wide shot of the finished yard. Click to enlarge