Jackbox Ghost
D23 Expo 2019 Design Challenge Contest 2nd Place WinnerThe Story
Jackbox Ghost and Bride Sally Hatchaway are simply meant to be. They are celebrating with a Haunted Mansion Holiday. But not everything is as it seems in this ghoulish gift box… Consider this dismaying observation, Sally’s sinister eyes seem to follow you as she is concealing a hatchet behind her back. Now, is it because of the hatchet or since Jack is dead that he can take off his head? Perhaps it is your imagination — hmm? While off in the distance spirits materialize for a swinging wake. Floating innocently is Jack’s faithful ghost dog Zero and Oogie Boogie’s shadowy figure looms on the moon.
The Concept
The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World was my first haunted house. As a child I was scared to ride it at first but was surprised and delighted by the playful spirits. I remember being marveled by the concept art and behind the scenes of the ride on Wonderful World of Color. Yet the ride never really resonated with me until I saw the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay in Disneyland years later. It sparked a new love and appreciation for the original ride as well as reignited a passion for The Nightmare Before Christmas film. My artwork celebrates the marriage of those concepts. Initially my concept was a simple framed paper art shadow box. Quickly that developed to include lights and movement using servos and a circuit board. However after reviewing the contest rules, I learned that electronics could not be used in the artwork. This challenged me to figure out how to bring my vision to life in a more rudimentary way. Which ultimately pushed my concept further. Expanding into a faberge style gift box, adding more ghoulish characters, developing a story, and bringing in the same types of illusions that are actually used in the ride.