There’s a reason people find old dolls unsettling, and AtmosFAN Shaun M. of Maricopa, Arizona, has leaned into that unease with enthusiasm. His custom-built display featuring Dollface from Nightmares Decoration Collection suggests that maybe all those childhood toys your parents made you keep really should have been thrown away years ago.
Shaun has created a small box structure resembling a jail cell – or perhaps some crate where something intolerable might kept from the rest of us. Inside is “Dollface,” one of the six alarming characters from Nightmares.
What elevates this display is Shaun’s strategic use of context. Surrounding the crate are old, neglected dolls, teddy bears and vintage children’s toys – items that already carry an inherent creepiness factor. There’s something universally unnerving about abandoned playthings, and then Shaun one-ups that unease with the strange crate that contains a very “alive” Dollface.
Needless to say, this type of prop is a cinch to create – and the impact is profound. The basic structure is a wooden or cardboard box sized to fit a TV or monitor, with “bars” added to the front. You can loop the digital decoration so that Dollface is always up to something – or attach a motion sensor media player to create a startle-scare effect.
And don’t forget to add a bunch of derelict toys to complete the scene – they’re always scary!
The beauty of this approach is its versatility – it works equally well as a standalone decoration or as part of a larger Halloween party setup. Tuck it into a dark corner at your Halloween party and whenever your partygoers come across it, they’ll be in for a surprise that will keep them gasping – and laughing – all night long.
“It’s super creepy,” Shaun tells us. “Everyone loves it.”
Have you created custom props using TVs or monitors with AtmosFX Decorations? We want to see your builds! Send your photos and videos using this simple online form and you might become the next AtmosFAN of the Week. You’ll earn points for use in the AtmosFX online store just for submitting, and if you’re selected, you’ll win a free decoration collection!
