Halloween Universe

Video Category

Set Design

Every set design video worth your time, gathered in one place. Browse builds, tutorials, and showcases — each embedded from its original creator with a quick summary so you can find exactly what you need.

601 videos

Crematorium Door Prop for Your Haunt!
9:04
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$60

Crematorium Door Prop for Your Haunt!

VanOaksProps walks through the construction of a convincing fake crematorium oven door using wood, EVA craft foam, and a layered paint approach. The build is designed to be quick and accessible while delivering a genuinely unsettling set-dressing piece for a Halloween haunt. A multi-step painting process — including rubberized undercoating, matte black, metallic aluminum, and acrylic washes — gives the prop its gritty, industrial realism. Starbond CA glue (provided by the sponsor) is used throughout to bond foam components securely.

VanOaksProps· 12,608 views
airbrush basics 1- the airbrush and compressor
18:53
DIY PropsBeginner

airbrush basics 1- the airbrush and compressor

Part one of a five-part series from StiltbeastStudios introduces viewers to the fundamentals of airbrushing for haunted attraction and prop work. The video covers how an airbrush functions, the role of the compressor, and the key differences between various airbrush types. It serves as a foundational primer before diving into more advanced technique videos later in the series.

StiltbeastStudios· 12,598 views
Halloween Company Makes Christmas Animatronics | Distortions Unlimited Christmas Special
18:04
DIY Animatronics

Halloween Company Makes Christmas Animatronics | Distortions Unlimited Christmas Special

This Distortions Unlimited Christmas special takes viewers behind the scenes as the well-known Halloween prop and animatronic company pivots to building a holiday line. Filmed across 2010 and 2011, it follows the crew through designing, sculpting, molding, painting, and unveiling Santa and elf animatronics. The documentary-style piece highlights the challenges and triumphs of adapting a haunt-focused studio to Christmas decor.

DistortionsUnlimited· 12,514 views
PROP LAB: Building Star Wars Cargo Crates
8:19
DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$80

PROP LAB: Building Star Wars Cargo Crates

VanOaksProps builds a pair of Star Wars-themed cargo crates to complement a dedicated prop display case, inspired by a visit to Star Wars Celebration Anaheim. The crates are shaped using an Inventables X-Carve CNC router, then finished with layered spray paints, wax paint, and weathering techniques to achieve a battle-worn, screen-accurate look. Liquid latex and steel wool add tactile texture before the final paint stages, giving the props convincing depth and age.

VanOaksProps· 12,510 views
🎃Moving props into the asylum! #horror #halloweendecorations #howto #transworld #diy💀
0:08
Home Haunts

🎃Moving props into the asylum! #horror #halloweendecorations #howto #transworld #diy💀

This short-form video follows the process of moving and placing props into an asylum-themed haunt space. The content appears to document the setup and staging phase of a home or hobbyist haunt build, referencing Transworld-style prop sourcing. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how a horror scene comes together through deliberate prop arrangement.

Horror 365· 12,197 views
quickie fire place
4:21
DIY Props

quickie fire place

Stiltbeast Studios delivers a condensed look at building or assembling a fireplace prop for a haunted attraction setting. The video was filmed during a hectic opening week, resulting in a shorter runtime than usual, with a promised bonus video to compensate. Despite its brevity, it offers a glimpse into how a fireplace set piece can be incorporated into a haunt environment.

StiltbeastStudios· 11,955 views
Disneyland/Disneyworld Tower of Terror Elevator Dial Replica | Hollywood Tower Hotel
9:16
DIY PropsIntermediate

Disneyland/Disneyworld Tower of Terror Elevator Dial Replica | Hollywood Tower Hotel

VanOaksProps recreates the iconic service elevator floor-indicator dial from the Tower of Terror attraction as a detailed display replica. The build combines laser-cut MDF and acrylic pieces with a multi-step faux copper patina painting process to achieve the aged, antique look of the original Hollywood Tower Hotel prop. Airbrushing, dry brushing, and Rub n Buff are layered together to convincingly mimic oxidized copper. The finished piece is a faithful collectible tribute to the beloved attraction, particularly for California fans where the original ride no longer exists.

VanOaksProps· 11,932 views
Build with sticky paper
12:28
DIY PropsIntermediate

Build with sticky paper

Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios demonstrates a lesser-known fabrication method using sticky paper to construct a sturdy alien body prop for a themed area within a professional haunted attraction. The technique produces solid, reasonably detailed forms and serves as a practical alternative to more conventional prop-building methods. It's a straightforward, encouraging build that invites haunters of all skill levels to experiment with accessible materials.

StiltbeastStudios· 11,912 views
Rous final.wmv
23:00
DIY PropsAdvanced

Rous final.wmv

Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios walks through the full fabrication process for a human-sized R.O.U.S. — the iconic Rodent of Unusual Size from The Princess Bride — as a haunted house prop. The build showcases a range of creature-making techniques with running commentary explaining the reasoning behind each step. This is a detailed, educational look at professional-level creature prop construction from concept to completion.

StiltbeastStudios· 11,713 views
Who's Laughing Now?! EVIL DEAD Inspired possessed deer at Slashers Axe Throwing #evildead #horror
0:28
Professional Haunted Attractions

Who's Laughing Now?! EVIL DEAD Inspired possessed deer at Slashers Axe Throwing #evildead #horror

This short-form video showcases an Evil Dead–inspired possessed deer prop installed at Slashers Axe Throwing, a horror-themed entertainment venue. The prop appears to be a demonic twist on a classic taxidermy wall mount, evoking the iconic possessed-animal imagery from the Evil Dead franchise. The clip highlights how themed venues are incorporating elaborate horror set pieces to enhance the guest experience year-round.

Haunted Attraction Network· 11,272 views
Weathering Haunt Walls - No Spray Bottles!
6:25
Set DesignIntermediate

Weathering Haunt Walls - No Spray Bottles!

VanOaks Props demonstrates two distinct weathering techniques for haunt walls without relying solely on spray bottles. The tutorial covers both airbrushing and sponge painting approaches, showing how each method produces a different aged or distressed surface style. Both methods use earth-tone and muted paint colors to create convincing decay and grime effects on haunted attraction flats.

VanOaksProps· 10,942 views
Designing costumes for haunted attractions
46:21
Costume Tutorials

Designing costumes for haunted attractions

Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios delivers a lecture-style interview exploring the unique challenges of designing costumes specifically for haunted attractions. Unlike general costume building, haunt costuming must account for performer mobility, durability under heavy use, and how a design reads in low-light environments. The session is driven by audience questions, making it a practical, experience-backed conversation rather than a step-by-step tutorial. Viewers come away with industry-level insight into how costume design intersects with overall attraction theming and character performance.

StiltbeastStudios· 10,905 views
Distortions Monster World Walk Thru Teaser w/ Ed & Marsha
6:45
Professional Haunted Attractions

Distortions Monster World Walk Thru Teaser w/ Ed & Marsha

Ed and Marsha from Distortions Unlimited lead a teaser walkthrough of Monster World, their immersive monster art installation housed in over 19,000 square feet at Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall. The experience features a series of cinematic themed environments populated with life-sized creatures, ghouls, gargoyles, and iconic pop-culture monsters built by the Distortions Unlimited team. The production is a collaboration with award-winning lighting and event specialists Blazen Illuminations, making it a showcase of professional-grade haunt and attraction fabrication at its finest.

DistortionsUnlimited· 10,904 views
Painting castle rock
15:32
DIY PropsBeginner

Painting castle rock

Stiltbeast Studios walks through a straightforward painting technique for achieving realistic castle rock wall finishes, using a Castle Grayskull diorama as the demonstration subject. The approach is designed to be accessible and repeatable, delivering convincing stone texture without advanced skill. At 16 minutes, the tutorial moves efficiently through the core steps while keeping the process approachable for hobbyists at most experience levels.

StiltbeastStudios· 10,836 views
Hollusion Material Demo - Create Floating Phantoms and Spirits!
1:01
Projection Effects

Hollusion Material Demo - Create Floating Phantoms and Spirits!

This short demo from FrightProps showcases Hollusion projection material, a specialized scrim that makes projected ghost and spirit animations appear to float in mid-air. The effect combines digital decoration content with the semi-transparent material to produce a convincing phantom illusion suitable for haunted house environments. Even in a brief runtime, the clip effectively illustrates the visual impact achievable with this approach.

FrightProps· 10,734 views
Cob Webs in a Can
0:55
Set DesignBeginner

Cob Webs in a Can

This short product showcase from Ghost Ride Productions introduces an aerosol can that sprays realistic spider web effects onto props and set pieces. The webbing is applied in light, buildable layers, allowing users to dial in the density of the web effect. Once fully cured, the material is non-flammable and dries to an opaque, dull cream color.

Ghost Ride Productions, INC.· 10,688 views
make a porthole-nautical decor frame spooky underwater ship
18:07
DIY PropsIntermediate

make a porthole-nautical decor frame spooky underwater ship

StiltbeastStudios walks through the process of transforming a nautical porthole frame into a spooky underwater ship prop suitable for haunted house or haunted attraction use. The build focuses on giving the piece a dark, eerie maritime aesthetic that fits seamlessly into an immersive themed environment. At roughly 18 minutes, the video offers a solid look at how everyday nautical decor can be repurposed into compelling Halloween set pieces.

StiltbeastStudios· 10,665 views
secret set design tool
15:11
Set Design~$40 (Steam purchase)

secret set design tool

Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios reveals an unconventional set design workflow he has relied on for over four years: using the video game Conan Exiles as a 3D pre-visualization tool for haunted attraction layouts. By building virtual versions of his sets inside the game, he can walk through and evaluate a space before committing to physical construction. The approach is praised for being intuitive, affordable, and surprisingly effective for professional haunt design. At roughly $40 on Steam, it offers a low-cost alternative to dedicated architectural software.

StiltbeastStudios· 10,515 views
Carving Halloween Tombstones with a Robot?!
4:10
DIY Props

Carving Halloween Tombstones with a Robot?!

VanOaks Props showcases using the Inventables X-Carve CNC machine to carve custom Halloween tombstones from foam, describing it as a dream workflow for bringing detailed tombstone designs to life with precision. The video highlights how CNC automation elevates the quality and repeatability of handcrafted Halloween props. Custom tombstone props created with this method are also available for purchase through the creator's Etsy shop.

VanOaksProps· 10,449 views
1920's Haunted Bath House? Creepy Hot Springs, AR Vlog
10:59
Set Design

1920's Haunted Bath House? Creepy Hot Springs, AR Vlog

This vlog takes viewers on a creepy tour of a historic 1920s bathhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas, framing the experience through a haunter's eye for atmospheric detail and design inspiration. The creator highlights the location's naturally eerie qualities — aged architecture, Victorian aesthetics, and the unsettling ambiance of a bygone spa culture. It doubles as a travel vlog, weaving in local history, nature, and food alongside the spooky visual content. Haunters looking to capture period-authentic atmosphere in their sets will find plenty of visual reference material here.

Monster Tutorials· 10,368 views
Let's Paint A Swamp Shack - Haunted Attraction Set Design
11:41
Set DesignIntermediate

Let's Paint A Swamp Shack - Haunted Attraction Set Design

StiltbeastStudios walks through the process of scenic painting a swamp shack set piece intended for a haunted attraction environment. The tutorial focuses on achieving a convincing bayou aesthetic, likely connected to a waterpark or lazy-river-themed haunt concept. The host guides viewers through painting techniques that bring a weathered, atmospheric look to the structure. It's a practical, hands-on look at professional-level scenic art applied to Halloween haunt set design.

StiltbeastStudios· 10,328 views
Turning my Smart Thermostat into HAL 9000 from 2001: a Space Odyssey
8:04
DIY PropsIntermediate

Turning my Smart Thermostat into HAL 9000 from 2001: a Space Odyssey

VanOaksProps transforms an everyday smart thermostat into a screen-accurate HAL 9000 replica from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The build centers on a laser-cut grill panel — a free downloadable file the creator shares — combined with brushed aluminum vinyl and metallic spray paint to achieve the iconic look. The result is a functional thermostat that doubles as a striking sci-fi display piece. An Adafruit project is credited as the original inspiration for the replica design.

VanOaksProps· 10,281 views
airbrush 3
27:23
DIY PropsBeginner

airbrush 3

Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios delivers the third installment in his airbrush series, focusing on foundational airbrush skills for prop makers, set designers, and mask makers. The video walks viewers through a practical technique-refining drill and introduces the use of stencils as a versatile painting aid. Although released out of sequence — part three before part two — the content stands on its own as an accessible guide to improving airbrush control. The airbrush is framed as an essential tool across multiple disciplines within the haunted attraction world.

StiltbeastStudios· 10,246 views
Fake Rust with Sawdust
7:38
DIY PropsBeginner$10–$30

Fake Rust with Sawdust

VanOaksProps explores a creative low-cost rust finish by applying sawdust as a texture medium over 3D-printed mine cart wheels made for a real haunted attraction. The technique layers a brush-on epoxy to bind the sawdust, followed by multiple acrylic paint colors to mimic oxidized metal convincingly. The result is a gritty, organic-looking rust effect achievable with readily available craft supplies. This crossover project between a home prop builder and a professional haunt offers practical, real-world validation of the method.

VanOaksProps· 10,198 views