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The Frankenstein walk is one of the most recognizable monster moves around.
This walk is a way simple to do. All you have to do is to start with stiff, marching steps and arms stuck out. It’s an easy way to act like the famous Frankenstein’s monster character. This silly and exaggerated walk is popular for Halloween costumes and performances.
Learn all about where the Frankenstein walk came from, how to do it properly, and why unleashing your inner monster can be fun and healthy.
What is the Frankenstein Walk: Origins and Inspirations
The Frankenstein walk is a distinctive walking style often associated with the Frankenstein monster character from the 1818 novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
Though the actual descriptions of how the monster walked are vague in the original book, the stiff, lumbering walk has become an iconic part of Frankenstein’s monster portrayals in films and other media.
The walk is thought to have been inspired by how the monster was described in the book as clumsy and stumbling as it learned to move and walk. Directors and actors have built on this idea to create an exaggerated walking style to highlight the monster’s stiffness and abnormal gait. Different interpretations play up the walk in various ways such as emphasizing heavy footfalls, straight unbending legs, and arms held out front.
The Frankenstein walk has come to represent the monster’s intimidating yet awkward movements. It evokes a sense of unease and horror while also showing the audience how the monster is struggling with basic coordination. As such it has become a key part of portraying the creature as both frightening and sympathetic.
Different Interpretations of the Walk
There are many ways actors and performers have adapted the Frankenstein walk to suit different purposes:
As an exercise: Exaggerated marching with high knees and straight legs works muscles throughout the body while being fun and silly. Using the walk as part of an exercise routine adds some lightheartedness.
As a dance: Performers have incorporated stiff, lurching Frankenstein-style movements into dance routines and music videos as visual symbols of monsters, robots, and more. Often paired with green make-up and costume props.
As character portrayal: The walk is most commonly used by actors playing Frankenstein’s monster on stage and screen. It brings the character to life while showing the audience how the monster moves in an unnatural way.
As a parody: Some people normally do over-the-top stiff marching done for comedic purposes, sometimes paired with garbled speech and expressions.
As Halloween costume: Kids and adults doing the Frankenstein walk while dressed up make the costume more authentic. It becomes part of the performance.
The Frankenstein walk is adaptable for many uses ranging from physical exercise to humorous parody. It’s an easy way to convey a sense of exaggerated abnormal movement and immediately bring an element of classic horror.
How to Do the Frankenstein Walk: Step-by-Step Instructions
Doing the Frankenstein walk well takes some practice but can be picked up with just a few tips:
First, you should stand straight with your shoulders back and spine upright, with feet shoulder-width apart for balance. Don’t bend forward at the hips.
Then, take deliberate, heavy steps landing first on the heel and then flat foot. Lean slightly forward as you step so your torso is always ahead of your legs.
Keep your legs very straight with knees unbent as you step forward, avoiding normal bending. Legs should be stiff like Frankenstein’s monster.
Extend your arms straight out from your sides around shoulder height, palms facing down. Don’t bend your elbows.
As each leg steps forward, the opposite arm on that side swings back slightly in exaggerated marching fashion.
The next thing to do is to fix your facial expression into a blank, serious stare straight ahead without smiling or squinting. Keep your jaw set firmly.
Take steps slowly and deliberately without speeding up. Move like a slow, lumbering monster.
For a more exaggerated walk, make stomping motions as you plant each foot down. Clomp loudly if you can.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistakes like slouching or bending the knees look too casual. Avoid by keeping your back straight and legs locked stiffly. Also, don’t walk too smoothly – it should look labored and abnormal.
Watch out for letting elbows bend while marching arms. Keep them locked straight out. Make sure to shift your weight as you walk and do full stomping steps for the best effect. Don’t just shuffle your feet.
If you go too fast or take steps that are too small, it starts to look like casual walking. Use those big, slow Frankenstein steps instead.
Finally, don’t forget the facial expression! Your face should be still and zombie-like, not smiling or relaxed.
Keep the core elements of stiff straight legs, clomping steps, rigid arms, and blank stare. Doing it right takes some exaggerated movements you’re not used to, but avoids common mistakes.
Benefits of the Frankenstein Walk
Physical Benefits:
- Improves posture by keeping back straight and shoulders back.
- Tones core muscles by keeping abs engaged to avoid slouching.
- Works thighs and buttocks by using deliberate, deep steps.
- Tones arms by holding them out straight and stiff.
- Flexibility comes from exaggerating stiff motions.
- Promotes balance and coordination.
Mental Benefits:
- Provides an outlet for silliness and lighthearted fun.
- Lets people act out a classic monster character.
- Can be a creative outlet when customized with costumes and sounds.
- Relieves stress through the physicality and absurdity of the movements.
- Distracts from everyday worries by becoming absorbed in the portrayal.
- Evokes laughter and amusement from others when performed.
Applications of Frankenstein Walk
- Halloween events – Favorite for Frankenstein costumes.
- Fundraisers or parties
- Theatre productions – Use as stage movement for monster characters.
- Dance routines
- Exercise classes – Incorporate for balance or strength training.
- Kids Classes
- YouTube videos
Because it is so recognizable and linked to Frankenstein, the walk can be easily adapted to many different settings and purposes. It’s a flexible physical comedy bit that works for all ages.
Conclusion
Doing the Frankenstein walk shows how something so simple can become an iconic part of pop culture.
This silly march inspires laughter and creativity while also providing physical benefits.
So the next time you want to let your inner monster out, get stepping with the classic Frankenstein walk. Straight legs, stiff arms, and an empty stare fully engaged.
It’s the perfect way to enjoy some monstrous fun.
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