Making a Bust That Follows You - Halloween Prop Tutorial
by VanOaksProps
Embedded from YouTube. This video belongs to its creator; Halloween Universe indexes it as a discovery resource.View original ↗
What this video covers
VanOaksProps walks through the first part of a two-part series on building a cemetery bust monument that uses an optical illusion to appear to follow viewers as they move. The build relies on accessible materials — XPS foam in two thicknesses, a cardboard tube armature, pipe insulation, and common adhesives — shaped with hot wire and routing tools. Sponsored by ChickenProps, the tutorial bridges the gap between a basic graveyard prop and a showstopping interactive centerpiece. The finished piece is designed to evoke the iconic "following bust" effect popularized by haunted mansion attractions.
Key takeaways
- ◆The "following" effect is achieved through an optical illusion sculpted into the bust's geometry, requiring no electronics
- ◆A cardboard tube forms the core armature, with XPS foam layered around it for the monument shape
- ◆Hot wire cutting and routing are the primary shaping techniques for the foam
- ◆Common hardware and craft store materials keep the build relatively affordable
- ◆This is part one of two — the full build spans a second installment
Who this is for
Halloween prop builders and home haunters who want to create an eye-catching, optically illusory cemetery bust without electronics or advanced fabrication skills.
Tools mentioned
- • pull saw
- • palm sander
- • plunge router
- • hotwire knife
- • sanding sponge
- • circular saw
- • hotwire router table
- • large spray bottles
Materials mentioned
- • 1" XPS insulation foam
- • 2" XPS insulation foam
- • 8" cardboard tube
- • contact cement
- • Gorilla Glue
- • painter's tape
- • bamboo skewers
- • 1" weather stripping
- • pipe insulation
- • pool noodle
⚠ Safety notes
Use adequate ventilation when working with contact cement and hot wire tools. Eye protection and dust masks are recommended during foam sanding and cutting.
Explore related
More like this
REAL CatNap Animatronic! #catnap #poppyplaytime #shorts
Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay build a fully functioning CatNap animatronic from scratch, bringing the popular Poppy Playtime horror-game character to life. The short-form video showcases the impressive finished result of their fabrication work. It's a quick but striking look at what dedicated prop builders can achieve with recognizable pop-culture source material.
Real YARNABY Animatronic! 🧶😱 #poppyplaytime
Wicked Makers' Jay and Jaimie construct a full animatronic version of Yarnaby from the horror game Poppy Playtime, built from steel and driven by pneumatics. The build goes beyond aesthetics — the team stress-tests the animatronic's jaw mechanism using a ballistic gel arm to see whether it could realistically bite through a limb. The video blends behind-the-scenes fabrication footage with chaotic prop-testing in classic Wicked Makers style. It sits alongside their broader catalog of mascot-horror animatronics inspired by FNAF, Poppy Playtime, and similar franchises.
Make Halloween Store Skeletons Way Better! 💀 #shorts
Wicked Makers' Jay and Jaimie demonstrate how to transform a basic store-bought Halloween skeleton into a far more impressive and creepy display piece. The short teases a full-length tutorial focused on giving the skeleton a pirate or drunken drinking character. The upgrade elevates a generic prop into a themed centerpiece without starting from scratch.
Ratings & reviews
No ratings yet — be the first to say whether this one delivered.
Sign in to rate this video and tell others if it helped.