How to Use a Leaf Blower for a Halloween Prop
Fear is celebrated during the holiday season. In October, haunted venues spring up seemingly overnight, from major theme park events to backyard walking trails. To maximize scares, such elements as lighting, actors, music and special effects should be carefully blended. One of the least expensive and most dramatic special effects is a carefully hidden leaf blower. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Design your haunt. In broad daylight, there is nothing inherently scary about even the loudest leaf blower. The prop is just one small piece of an overall haunt design. Place the leaf blower effect in an area that is filled with distractions and unnerving elements such as darkened corridors, hanging fabric and gory set pieces. Consider tying the leaf blower into an overall storyline about a crazed killer to heighten anticipation.
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Consider the safety of both actors and guests. A leaf blower is loud and startling, and may cause guests to run away. Where will they run? Make sure that there are no sharp objects or tripping hazards in the immediate area or throughout the haunt. Different people react differently to fear. Some guests might fall on the ground. Is there enough room for someone to fall without hitting his head? Some people react with violence, such as flailing or attempting to punch the actor. Does the actor carrying the leaf blower have room to safely move backward out of guests' reach?
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Disguise the leaf blower. A leaf blower is an excellent, safer alternative to a chainsaw. If your haunt calls for a chainsaw, craft a cover for the blower out of foam and plastic chain. If you simply need the noise and startle effect, consider hanging curtains or constructing a false wall for the actor to stay hidden behind.
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Scare guests forward rather than backward. Use the leaf blower effect towards the back of each group to encourage guests to keep moving through the haunt. If you have multiple groups inside the haunt at once, guests moving backward may run into those behind them.
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Consider your haunt's exit area. Some professional haunts use a chainsaw or leaf blower effect at the very end of the haunt, encouraging the actor to chase guests all the way out. If you have a large, enclosed yard or other safe space, this is a very effective technique. Guests may continue running for some time, so never chase them out of the haunt if the exit is near a road or other dangerous location.
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Tips & Warnings
For a comic effect, attach a paint roller to the leaf blower and load a roll of toilet paper onto the roller. The blower will shoot toilet paper onto your guests.
Although much less dangerous than a chainsaw, a leaf blower is still a potentially hazardous piece of equipment. Maintain clearance around the blower, never allowing it to contact an actor or guest.
