Rattlesnake

[Medusa53]

I have a great, realistic looking rubber rattlesnake, but have run out of ideas on how to use him most effectively. I own a haunted trail, so the atmosphere is there. Any ideas?

[Allen H]

Have you seen the you tube clip where a man is walking in the woods and someone pulls an inflatable alligator pool toy in front of him across the path he is walking on and he freaks out.
Perhaps an actor pulls it in front of the groups first person and scares them.
Just a low tech thought.
Allen H

[Medusa53]

No, I haven't seen the video, but believe it or not, I have a pond and am in the process of carving out a styrofoam alligator !! Thanks for the ideas!!

[Allen H]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQhz3-RIZt4
he is at 36 seconds on this vid really short clip here but you get the idea
Allen H

[HauntedMemphis]

The main thing I'd recommend with a rattlesnake, is make sure you have the rattle sound effect. Once you have it, you can actually use it a few different ways.

1) Definately use the sound of the snake when you have it "strike". You want to make sure the customers associate the rattle sound with the snake.

2) You could use the rattle sound to foreshadow the snake. It's a very recognizable sound, and just knowing the possibility of a snake coming up can build the tension.

3) Use the rattle somewhere again down the trail. Once they have seen a snake once, additional rattle sounds will have them worried about seeing it again.