Ventriloquist's dummy

Ventriloquist's dummy

RichardJ28 10 Apr 2010 21:01

Draft

Potential image?

I know that creepy dummies are in various horror movies, but I hope that this idea is different enough to make it workable. The theme here is that we have no idea what its motive is, or what it is capable of. It's bored and therefore mutilates things for fun, but if it got out… (if you feel this needs to be made more explicit, I can do that). If this is recieved well, I have ideas for where that loose end could be taken.

Improvements, comments, criticism, all welcome.

Re: Ventriloquist's dummy

Sorts 11 Apr 2010 19:14

I think we have puppets that make you violent already… where are they… ah. SCP-764

That's not to say that this one has no potential. My personal recommendation would be to drop the mysterious compulsion to keep using the dummy (items that force you to use them so that they may become dangerous are overdone) and maybe play up the sadness and longing aspect. A puppet that is staring at you longingly because it wants to be a real boy and perhaps evokes so much pity that people over-personify it could be pretty creepy.

Your image is pretty good, although I have to admit the first thing I thought of when I saw the subject was this: http://lileks.com/institute/funny/09/133.html

Re: Ventriloquist's dummy

RichardJ28 11 Apr 2010 20:28

Thanks for the feedback. I did know about 764 before drafting this, and therefore tried to add more to my idea than just 'puppet of carnage'. I like the idea of playing up the sadness aspect, I'll retool the draft, see what you think.

Edit: I've got a few potential images, I'll stick them all on scpfuel2, see which one feels best once the entry is done.

Edit 2: OK, I've redone most of the item's effect: see what you think.

Last edited on 11 Apr 2010 22:17 by RichardJ28 Show more

Re: Ventriloquist's dummy

Varthonai 12 Apr 2010 01:33

Well, I was thoroughly creeped out even by the first iteration, so that's a sign that you're doing *something* right.

Dummies are indeed used in various horror movies, but I don't think that should be a deterrent unless it ruins the creep factor due to predictability; as I said, this creeped me out, so that's not an issue.

I did think you could do more with the first version, and now you have. I'd +1 this if it were on the main wiki.

Re: Ventriloquist's dummy

Sorts 12 Apr 2010 02:49

I think it will work, you might want to run it by some other folks just in case but the idea feels right