I have 2 ideas for my center piece, would love to use both but money is an issue. the 1st I was going to copy the photo below the problem is I need an inexpensive way to make the platform.
 



The 2nd one is a pnuematic coffin. This is the 1st prop I ever made so it is a bit special to me and don't want it to be damaged. Plus the electric components and strobe light can't get wet. It has been suggested to me to make some sort of crypt. I would like people to see it but also protect it from the elements as much as possible and make it look like part of the cemetery. Any ideas on how to do this inexpensively?



Any ideas please post them or pics of similar ideas that I could find on the web would be a big help.

How big will this be? Can you built it out of sheets of styrofoam?

2x2's, luan, and foam board. There really aren't too many other options. Just be sure to use a sealer on it when it is finished. By the way, you're design for the collumns and throne gave me a much needed idea. Thanx

We have made an old church Abby out of Styrofoam that was 10 feet high and 16 feet wide.

Take a look at furniture, and appliance stores, for large pieces of Styrofoam. Most of the time they will stack it on the side of their dumpster for you, if you ask them for it.

I had afew ideas for you.  One is dependent on weather or not you will use and activate in rainy weather, if not then covering with plasic sheeting over all and extra garbage bags over components will work great.  We have animated talking bucky heads that we use and that is what we do to protect them.  Been using them for 5 or so years.

Or idea two is to get one of those dining canopys for camping, like the kind you'll see at fairs and craft shows.  We used one to make a mouning tent, like the kind they have the funerals under when it rains.  Kept the coffen out all month under it.  I think we coverd it with plastic if rain was called for.  hope this helps

I LOVE both ideas!! 

However, I would lean towards the Pumpkin King throne.  If you do a crypt, you will have to leave an opening for people to see the coffin inside.  That will leave an entry for the coffin's enemy, the Moisture Monster.  Unless of course you wanted to cover the opening with plexiglass but that would be majorly expensive.   Also because the prop has special meaning to you, I just wouldn't want to take the chance of anything happening to it. 

Thats a big project ..
I agree with Grimmdaddy on that one

for the coffin you could enclose it in  plexiglass
with fake silver posts on each corner

you could alway make a mausolium for it-use one of those 10x10 eazy-up tents and use panneling with carved foam for bricks for the front and a tarb for the sides--just like mine-- had it up for a month with a fcg in it -with no problems