Halloween Universe

The Screening Room

The Halloween Video Library

A curated, searchable archive of the dark craft — DIY props and animatronics, home-haunt walkthroughs, makeup, lighting, fog, and effects. Every film embedded from its creator, organized so you can actually find what you need.

42 videos

Recreating a Galaxy’s Edge Sign with EVA Foam – Step-by-Step Prop Build
10:52
DIY PropsIntermediate

Recreating a Galaxy’s Edge Sign with EVA Foam – Step-by-Step Prop Build

VanOaksProps walks through a full build of a Galaxy's Edge-inspired marketplace sign using EVA foam, modeling paste, and a custom Illustrator template available as a free download. The tutorial covers every stage from cutting and shaping foam layers to painting, weathering, and finishing with Rub n Buff and airbrush decay effects for a convincingly battle-worn Batuu aesthetic. Techniques transfer readily to cosplay accessories, themed room displays, or haunt set dressing. The approachable material list and step-by-step pacing make this accessible to intermediate foam crafters.

VanOaksProps· 6,509 views
This Project Took 10 Years to finish
10:17
DIY PropsIntermediate

This Project Took 10 Years to finish

VanOaksProps revisits a decade-old ambition to build a screen-accurate replica of Leia's Boushh bounty hunter helmet from Return of the Jedi. After an unsatisfying first attempt that stalled at the painting stage, the creator starts fresh with refined skills and a more deliberate approach. The build focuses heavily on painting, weathering, and finishing techniques to achieve a convincing, film-accurate result.

VanOaksProps· 8,539 views
How to Make a Galactus Cosplay Helmet - Free Foam Template Fantastic Four Cosplay
11:33
Costume TutorialsBeginner

How to Make a Galactus Cosplay Helmet - Free Foam Template Fantastic Four Cosplay

SKS Props walks viewers through building a Galactus helmet inspired by the Fantastic Four movie using lightweight EVA foam and a free downloadable template from the creator's website. The build covers cutting and shaping foam pieces, assembling the helmet structure, and finishing with Plasti Dip sealing and hand-painted Liquitex heavy body acrylics. The tutorial is framed as approachable for beginners while still delivering a screen-inspired result. Clear ornament bulbs are incorporated as decorative accent elements on the helmet.

SKS Props· 11,879 views
How to Make an X-Men Sentinel Helmet for Superhero Cosplay Photoshoots - Free Foam Templates
17:17
Costume TutorialsBeginner

How to Make an X-Men Sentinel Helmet for Superhero Cosplay Photoshoots - Free Foam Templates

SKS Props walks viewers through building an X-Men Sentinel helmet from EVA foam using free downloadable templates. The creator demonstrates the build at a scaled-up 130% to produce an oversized severed-head photoshoot prop, though the same templates work at standard scale for a wearable cosplay helmet. The helmet is sealed with Plasti-Dip and Flexbond, then finished with Liquitex acrylics and a pumice medium for a realistic robotic texture. The creator encourages X-Men cosplayers to pair the prop with their Wolverine, Rogue, or Gambit costumes for a dramatic convention floor effect.

SKS Props· 10,130 views
Craft Your Own Okarun Mask #cosplay #dandadancosplay #dandadancosplay #okaruncosplay
0:15
Costume TutorialsIntermediate

Craft Your Own Okarun Mask #cosplay #dandadancosplay #dandadancosplay #okaruncosplay

This tutorial from SKS Props walks viewers through building Okarun's iconic mask from the anime and manga Dandadan, the eerie face covering that appears when Turbo Granny possesses his body. The mask is constructed primarily from lightweight EVA foam using free PDF templates the creator provides on his website. Shaping, detailing, and painting steps are covered, with Liquitex acrylics used for the final finish. The result is a screen-accurate, wearable cosplay piece suitable for conventions.

SKS Props· 10,679 views
How to Make Aira's Mask from Dandadan - Free Template Foam or Cardboard - Acrobatic Silky Cosplay
12:20
Costume TutorialsBeginner

How to Make Aira's Mask from Dandadan - Free Template Foam or Cardboard - Acrobatic Silky Cosplay

This tutorial by SKS Props walks through the construction of Aira's mask from the anime/manga Dandadan — specifically the eerie mask associated with Acrobatic Silky's possession of her body. The build uses lightweight EVA foam shaped and finished with acrylic paints, making it accessible for cosplayers of most skill levels. A free downloadable PDF template is provided to help crafters accurately cut and assemble the pieces. Finishing techniques including surface texturing and sealing give the mask a polished, screen-accurate appearance.

SKS Props· 17,523 views
How to Make a Pyramid Head Helmet - Free Template - Silent Hill 2 Cosplay DIY EVA Foam
12:58
Costume TutorialsIntermediate

How to Make a Pyramid Head Helmet - Free Template - Silent Hill 2 Cosplay DIY EVA Foam

SKS Props walks through the full construction phase of a game-accurate Pyramid Head helmet from Silent Hill 2, built entirely from HD-Foam using a free downloadable PDF template. The lightweight result is achieved through careful foam shaping, gluing, and structural reinforcement with PVC and dowels. A key visual highlight is the rusty metal texture, created by applying pumice-based textured acrylics with a palette knife before an overnight dry. Painting and weathering are covered separately in a follow-up video on the channel.

SKS Props· 95,052 views
How to Carve a Foam Pumpkin Tutorial DnD Beholder - EVA Foam Clay - Monster Eyes Halloween Decor DIY
22:58
DIY PropsIntermediate

How to Carve a Foam Pumpkin Tutorial DnD Beholder - EVA Foam Clay - Monster Eyes Halloween Decor DIY

SKS Props walks through the full fabrication process for turning a standard craft foam pumpkin into a detailed Dungeons & Dragons Beholder creature. The build layers EVA foam and foam clay over the carved base to add dimensional tentacle eyes and organic textures, then finishes with Liquitex acrylics and FX paints for a convincing monster look. A standout technique involves crafting glowing monster eyes from clear Christmas bulbs wrapped in foam clay. The finished piece works equally well as Halloween décor, a haunt prop, or a D&D game-room display.

SKS Props· 19,384 views
Making a C-3PO Bust for New York Comic Con #nycc
9:05
DIY PropsIntermediate

Making a C-3PO Bust for New York Comic Con #nycc

VanOaksProps walks through the construction of a display-quality C-3PO bust built from 3D-printed parts sourced from free Thingiverse models. The build covers surface prep with filler primer and multi-stage sanding, a multi-layer metallic paint finish, and the integration of acrylic light-panel material and LEDs for glowing eye inserts. Beacon Adhesives products are used throughout for assembly, with the finished piece destined for display at New York Comic Con.

VanOaksProps· 9,619 views
How to Make Cosplay Shin Armor - Free Templates - Superhero Foam Leg Armor Aliens Colonial Marines
12:49
Costume TutorialsBeginner

How to Make Cosplay Shin Armor - Free Templates - Superhero Foam Leg Armor Aliens Colonial Marines

SKS Props walks through the full construction of Colonial Marines shin armor from the Aliens franchise using EVA foam and free downloadable PDF templates. The build covers cutting and heat-shaping foam panels, bonding and detailing, sealing with Plasti Dip, painting, weathering, and attaching a functional strap-and-buckle harness. Although the templates are designed for the USCM look, the creator notes they can be adapted for a wide range of superhero or villain costumes. The tutorial is timed to coincide with renewed interest in the franchise sparked by the Alien Romulus release.

SKS Props· 18,283 views
Quick & Easy Custom Halloween Finials
6:54
DIY PropsBeginner$10–$25

Quick & Easy Custom Halloween Finials

VanOaksProps walks through a fast, budget-friendly method for crafting custom decorative finials from 5mm EVA foam using free downloadable templates. The build relies on accessible tools — a heat gun, X-Acto knife, and contact cement — to cut, shape, and bond the foam into polished architectural accents. A multi-step paint finish gives the finished pieces a convincing aged or metallic look. The free template download makes replication straightforward even for first-time foam builders.

VanOaksProps· 9,366 views
We made a real DOGDAY Animatronic!
27:55
DIY AnimatronicsPro

We made a real DOGDAY Animatronic!

Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay build a full-scale pneumatic DogDay animatronic inspired by the legless, imprisoned character from Poppy Playtime Chapter 3. The build combines a steel frame powered by pneumatic mechanics (sourced from haunted attraction specialists Hallucinations Creations) with a custom 3D-printed and modeled head, a wire-and-foam body armature, and a shaggy fur exterior. Animation is driven by a prop controller from Purgatory Props, and the finished piece is set inside handmade theatrical flat jail cell walls. The result joins an expanding collection of Wicked Makers' video-game-inspired Halloween animatronics.

Wicked Makers· 17,066,933 views
We made a real CATNAP Animatronic!
24:37
DIY AnimatronicsAdvanced

We made a real CATNAP Animatronic!

Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay build a large-scale animatronic version of Catnap, the monstrous purple cat villain from Poppy Playtime Chapter 3. The build uses a PVC pipe skeleton fleshed out with XPS foam, pool noodles, and bubble wrap, then covered in purple fleece fur. Mechanically, a wiper motor drives an arching back motion, a high-torque servo turns the head side to side, and a hidden microfogger vents red-tinted smoke from the chest to replicate Catnap's signature 'Poppy Gas' breath. An Arduino and the free Bottango app tie the movements and NeoPixel glowing eyes together into a cohesive, show-ready animatronic.

Wicked Makers· 14,052,461 views
We made a JUMPING SPIDER Animatronic!
16:30
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate

We made a JUMPING SPIDER Animatronic!

Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay transform a store-bought Spirit Halloween Jumping Spider animatronic into a glowing, game-inspired creature build. Using EVA foam, foam clay, UV resin, and fluorescent neon paint, they rebuild the spider's exterior with armored shells, spikes, and glowing orbs. The finished prop blazes under UV blacklight, turning a floppy plush animatronic into a striking yard-haunt centerpiece. The project draws on DIY cosplay fabrication techniques adapted for Halloween prop-making.

Wicked Makers· 564,591 views
We made a real LAST OF US Animatronic!
21:19
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate$50–$150 (excluding base animatronic)

We made a real LAST OF US Animatronic!

Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay transform a Spirit Halloween Night Crawler animatronic into a screen-accurate Clicker from The Last of Us by sculpting a cordyceps mushroom bloom over the existing head. The build relies on EVA foam and foam clay for the distinctive fungal petals, with a guest airbrushing lesson adding realistic color depth. Thrifted clothing and careful gap-filling complete the creature makeover. The result is an impressive, character-specific animatronic upgrade achieved with widely available materials.

Wicked Makers· 1,765,004 views
We turned a Christmas Gift into a Horrifying MIMIC!
10:00
DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$70

We turned a Christmas Gift into a Horrifying MIMIC!

Wicked Makers' Jay and Jaimie build a holiday-themed Mimic prop — a shape-shifting monster disguised as a wrapped Christmas present, complete with fanged teeth and multiple eyes. The build uses accessible materials like foamcore, EVA foam, foam clay, and acrylic paints, making it approachable for intermediate crafters. Inspired by the iconic creature from Dungeons & Dragons and Dark Souls, the finished prop is designed to look like an innocent gift until it reveals its monstrous features. The tutorial walks through construction, sculpting, and painting to achieve a convincing and sinister holiday decoration.

Wicked Makers· 272,331 views
Making a Bust That Follows You - Halloween Prop Tutorial
10:22
DIY PropsIntermediate$20–$60

Making a Bust That Follows You - Halloween Prop Tutorial

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.

VanOaksProps· 57,843 views
Prop Bear Trap less than $2.00
20:37
DIY PropsBeginnerUnder $2

Prop Bear Trap less than $2.00

Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios demonstrates how to build a realistic-looking bear trap prop from EVA foam floor mats for under two dollars and in about an hour. The build is extremely accessible for beginners, requiring minimal tools and just two inexpensive materials. The finished props are lightweight and versatile, working well as wall-mounted set dressing across a variety of haunt themes.

StiltbeastStudios· 8,257 views