Behold, the Monst-DOOR
Don’t knock on this door, it’ll knock you back! This year I wanted to make something to trick the treaters. We’ve been wanting a new front door so I thought I’d make one…with a little twist.
Here’s how I built it
Like everything I build, I start with sketches, lots and lots of sketches. I knew I wouldn’t be able to buy a door that would fit my unique specifications so I had to build it from scratch. The Monst-DOOR had to look like a real door so people wouldn’t be expecting anything out of the ordinary. I drew out the plans and cut all the pieces out of a single sheet of oak paneling and an MDF board. Adding trim, stain, and a brass door knob helped complete the Monst-DOOR’s unassuming appearance.
Behind the door was all sorts of complexities. I created a video of a pair of blinking angry eyes and connected it to an old TV. The screen is exposed when an oak panel is released and dropped like a wooden guillotine.
The arms and hands were constructed out of cardboard, foam, and broom handles.
The wreath was one of the hardest elements to figure out. I wanted it to look like a circle, but still give it flexibility. If I used something too soft, it would sag and look more like an oval. I pondered it for a couple of days until I was struck with the idea of using foam, hinges and two sections which somewhat acted like tendons. I love solving complex problems that I create for myself. It allows me to be creative twice.
The last step was applying the fur. Egads, fur is such a mess! When I was done, it looked like I murdered a Muppet.
Just like all my creations I really don’t know how well it’s going to work until I get it all put together. There was a little tweaking here and there but for the most part all the sketching, planning and measuring paid off. It worked pretty much flawlessly. “IT’S ALIVE…IT’S ALIVE!”
The only thing I didn’t anticipate was that I’d have to crawl through a window to get in and out of the house but it’s all part of the fun. Halloween is a time for me to be creative and bring something new into the world. I love to play in the unknown. To quote the Monster from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: "Sometimes I allowed my thoughts, unchecked by reason, to ramble in the fields of Paradise."
Halloween Night Reactions
The Monst-DOOR surprised a few kids but made most of them either laugh or stand in open-mouthed amazement. It gives me joy to think of how it will be remembered by a few kids for years to come. I’m pleased to have brought a little bit of happiness, wonder, and excitement to an already magical night. Hopefully my creation might inspire a new generation of creatives.