Performers’ Sign

$15 - $20 (based on 2019 prices)

Makes one sign

 

I wanted to emphasize the turn-of-the-century-travelling-show aspect of 2019’s haunt, so I created a lot of little details, from circus pins to a megaphone, to subtly reinforce this concept. The performers’ sign, in turn, was part of the process. Utilizing an old collage picture frame, I crafted a large sign showcasing all of the carnival’s twisted entertainers. While I used vintage sideshow images, you can easily substitute photos of the haunt’s scare-actors to make the prop more personal.

• One collage picture frame with twenty-nine openings (roughly 22” x 38”)
• Fifteen sheets of cream-colored copy paper
• At least four tablespoons of dark roasted coffee grounds
• One or two pans large enough to soak the photographs
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat black*
• One 10 oz. can of interior/exterior, fast-drying spray paint in flat brown*
• One roll of colorful wrapping paper (roughly seventeen square feet)
• One 4 oz. bottle of all-purpose tacky glue*
• One package of two-inch letterboard letters
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat black*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat brown*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat red*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat gray*
• One 2 oz. bottle of acrylic paint in flat white*

1. Gather a collection of twenty-nine vintage sideshow photographs, print them on the cream-colored paper, and cut them out. For visual interest, I selected an assortment of children, men, and women; however, you can cater this variety to fit your haunt’s needs. Also, I printed two images per page, which saved paper and provided the photographic scale I desired.

2. Boil roughly twelve cups of water and add the coffee. The longer you allow the coffee to brew, the darker the stain will become. Likewise, greater amounts of coffee will produce a richer stain. Since I wanted uneven spots rather than a unified discoloration, I placed about a dozen photographs at a time on a baking sheet, splashed coffee and grounds onto their surfaces, allowed the liquid to sit for a few minutes, and then moved the photographs to a large space to dry. Although this process took a while, it provided an interesting effect.

3. As the photographs dry, remove the backing and glass from the collage and, on a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, give the frame one or two even coats of black spray paint. Although the paint is optional, it provides a dark color to show beneath the holes made in the wrapping paper.

4. Brush a light layer of glue onto the frame and cover it with the wrapping paper. To make the paper appear worn, crumple it up prior to adhering it to the collage and tear holes into it. After the glue has dried, cut out the openings of the pictures, leaving a slight excess to fold over the edges and glue in place.

5. Add additional age and distress by dusting the frame with a light coat of brown spray paint. To give the appearance of dirt, hold the can over twelve inches away from the collage’s surface and make quick flicking motions. You can also apply a flecking of black paint and smears of brown to enhance the weathered appearance.

6. Arrange the pictures in the frame’s openings and, once you have achieved your desired placement, glue them in place. Depending on the size of the holes, you may need to trim some of the pictures.

7. On a newspaper-lined surface in a well-ventilated area, give the letterboard letters and even coat of black spray paint. After this coat dries, give the letters an aged patina by gently brushing brown, gray, and white paint over their surfaces. Try not to overthink your application. A random pattern will produce the best result.

8. Use the letterboard letters and other materials like red paint, screws, and twine to write the word family at the top of the frame. Akin to all elements of this prop, you can alter the word, its placement, and the materials used to cater the item to your haunt’s needs.

9. For additional creepiness, smear bloody handprints across the frame, scratch out faces with black paint, burn holes in the photographs with a lighter, and punch out the eyes certain performers with a thumbtack.

10. The prop can be enhanced further, especially if placed in a dimly lit setting, by stringing small LED lights along the inside of the frame and using them to backlight the images.

*You will not use the entire bottle’s content for this project.