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.

55 videos

Building a Halloween Coffin - PART 1
8:13
DIY PropsIntermediate

Building a Halloween Coffin - PART 1

VanOaksProps begins a multi-part series constructing a Halloween coffin modeled after the iconic prop from the 1922 film Nosferatu, built as part of a Hollywood Graveyard production. The build focuses on plywood framing combined with EPS foam detail work to achieve a period-accurate silhouette. A key design goal is a flat-pack, knock-down construction that allows the finished prop to be disassembled for compact storage. Part 1 covers the foundational build steps, materials selection, and initial shaping.

VanOaksProps· 34,001 views
diy upholstery foam pumpkin easy to make scrap foam halloween faux pumpkin decor
17:14
DIY PropsBeginnerlow / scrap materials

diy upholstery foam pumpkin easy to make scrap foam halloween faux pumpkin decor

StiltbeastStudios walks viewers through building a realistic-looking faux pumpkin using upholstery foam scraps — an accessible, low-cost approach to Halloween prop making. The build recycles offcut foam into convincing jack-o-lantern décor suitable for home haunts or haunted attractions. At roughly 17 minutes, the tutorial keeps things approachable without requiring expensive materials or advanced tools.

StiltbeastStudios· 77,874 views
Easy & Realistic Fake Stone Walls from Foam 2!
8:04
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$60

Easy & Realistic Fake Stone Walls from Foam 2!

VanOaksProps walks through a beginner-friendly process for creating convincing fake stone walls using inexpensive XPS or EPS foam. The build relies on hot wire cutting and rasp texturing to achieve a natural stone shape, followed by a tile mortar coating that adds durability and surface detail. A layered acrylic painting sequence — moving from a base beige through burnt umber shadows to green moss accents — brings the finished panels to life. The result is a lightweight, low-cost wall section suitable for haunts, sets, or yard displays.

VanOaksProps· 130,025 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
Building a Halloween Crypt - Part 4: Adding a Projection Effect feat. AAXA HP3 Projector
6:37
Projection EffectsIntermediate

Building a Halloween Crypt - Part 4: Adding a Projection Effect feat. AAXA HP3 Projector

This fourth and final installment of VanOaksProps' Halloween crypt build series covers the finishing stages of the prop, including painting, brick mortar texturing, and weathering to achieve a realistic stone appearance. The episode's standout addition is the integration of the AAXA HP3 projector to cast a special projection effect onto or within the crypt structure. The video was produced in partnership with AAXA Technologies, who supplied the projector at no cost to the creator.

VanOaksProps· 14,363 views
DIY Skull Tutorial - Make this Halloween Skull from a cheap foam wig head!!
13:43
DIY PropsBeginner$5–$15

DIY Skull Tutorial - Make this Halloween Skull from a cheap foam wig head!!

This tutorial walks viewers through converting an inexpensive foam wig head into a Halloween skull prop using a hot wire cutting knife. With just a few strategic cuts, the plain foam form takes on a convincing skull shape ready for painting, corpsing, or decorating. The creator notes the finished skull pairs well with pool noodle skeleton builds, making it a natural companion project for budget-minded haunters.

Monster Tutorials· 12,882 views
Carving Halloween Tombstones with Spray Paint?
6:11
DIY PropsBeginner

Carving Halloween Tombstones with Spray Paint?

VanOaksProps demonstrates how to carve DIY Halloween tombstones from foam and finish them using spray paint, delivering a graveyard-ready prop on a budget. The short six-minute runtime suggests a streamlined, beginner-friendly workflow. Plaid Enterprises supplied product for the video, indicating at least some painting or finishing materials are featured. The result is a convincing cemetery prop suitable for yard haunts or home haunt displays.

VanOaksProps· 25,995 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
Easy & Realistic Faux Stone Walls with Foam!
7:30
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$50

Easy & Realistic Faux Stone Walls with Foam!

VanOaksProps walks through a beginner-friendly method for creating convincing faux stone panels from foam using minimal tools. The process covers shaping and texturing foam with a box cutter, wire brush, and propane torch, then sealing and painting with Drylok and layered acrylic washes. The finished panels are well-suited for haunted house facades, fireplace surrounds, or any set piece requiring a stone aesthetic.

VanOaksProps· 504,162 views
Hidden Projector Tombstone feat. the AAXA HP1
11:16
Projection EffectsIntermediate

Hidden Projector Tombstone feat. the AAXA HP1

VanOaksProps walks through building a realistic foam tombstone that doubles as a concealed housing for a compact projector, keeping the unit hidden from view and shielded from the elements. The build covers foam carving and shaping, router detailing, and a multi-step paint process to achieve a convincing aged-stone look. The finished prop integrates seamlessly into a graveyard display while secretly delivering Halloween projection effects. It's a clever solution for haunters who want polished projection visuals without exposing expensive equipment.

VanOaksProps· 91,619 views
Giant deer skull
21:36
DIY PropsIntermediate

Giant deer skull

StiltbeastStudios walks through the creation of a giant deer skull prop intended for haunted house or attraction use. Allen Hopps demonstrates his approach to building large-scale, detailed skull art with a focus on achieving a frightening, high-impact result. The build is geared toward haunt professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts looking to add impressive statement pieces to their sets.

StiltbeastStudios· 28,950 views
Following Bust Halloween Prop - Part 2
9:59
DIY PropsIntermediate

Following Bust Halloween Prop - Part 2

Part 2 of VanOaksProps' following bust monument series focuses on the finishing stages: applying paint, faux marble effects, and a Drylok texture base coat before adding craft paint layers via airbrush. LED strip lighting and decorative faux ivy are incorporated to complete the eerie cemetery monument look. The build is sponsored by ChickenProps, whose staring statue mechanisms power the 'following' eye effect. This episode bridges the gap between raw prop construction and a polished, display-ready Halloween centerpiece.

VanOaksProps· 47,064 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
Brown Bear Blues!
2:23:18
DIY PropsAdvanced

Brown Bear Blues!

StiltbeastStudios presents a deep-dive build session focused on creating a wearable brown bear character prop or mask, likely intended for haunted attraction performance. The video runs well over two hours, suggesting a comprehensive walkthrough of the fabrication process from concept through finished piece. Stiltbeast is known for high-level creature and mask construction aimed at professional haunt use.

StiltbeastStudios· 2,797 views
Make Your Own Realistic Halloween Tombstones
9:38
DIY PropsIntermediate$20–$60

Make Your Own Realistic Halloween Tombstones

VanOaksProps walks through the full process of building realistic foam tombstones from scratch using materials available at hardware and craft stores. The build covers shaping and carving expanded insulation foam with a Dremel and rasp, adding surface texture with a blow torch, and finishing with a multi-layer paint technique anchored by masonry sealant. The result is a graveyard-worthy prop that far surpasses typical store-bought options. A companion video on finger detail work is also referenced for those wanting to push the realism further.

VanOaksProps· 213,028 views
Making Foam Look Like Old Wood Beams
8:24
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$50

Making Foam Look Like Old Wood Beams

VanOaksProps walks through a straightforward process for turning lightweight foam into convincingly aged wooden boards using basic carving and texturing tools. The technique layers multiple acrylic paint colors and a glazing medium to build realistic wood grain depth and an old, weathered appearance. At under 10 minutes, the tutorial covers the full workflow from raw foam to finished faux plank. The result is a lightweight, cost-effective alternative to real lumber for haunted house panels, escape rooms, or stage set construction.

VanOaksProps· 240,359 views
Demogorgon 2 Electric Bugaloo
5:12:13
DIY PropsAdvanced

Demogorgon 2 Electric Bugaloo

StiltbeastStudios creator Allen Hopps tackles a Demogorgon build in this extended, in-depth session — the title suggesting it's a sequel or follow-up to a previous Demogorgon project. At over five hours of runtime, the video likely covers a full or near-complete fabrication workflow for a wearable creature costume or haunted-attraction prop inspired by the iconic Stranger Things monster. Expect detailed hands-on construction content consistent with Stiltbeast's known style of professional-grade creature work made accessible to serious hobbyists.

StiltbeastStudios· 2,864 views
DIY Zero Tombstone - Nightmare Before Christmas
25:53
DIY PropsBeginnerlow (basic foam sheets and entry-level airbrush)

DIY Zero Tombstone - Nightmare Before Christmas

This tutorial walks through building a replica of Zero the ghost dog's tombstone from Nightmare Before Christmas using insulation foam sheets and basic carving tools. The creator positions it as an accessible beginner project requiring minimal investment. An airbrush is used for finishing, giving the prop a polished, screen-accurate painted look. It's a great themed accent piece for a graveyard yard haunt or NBC-inspired Halloween display.

Monster Tutorials· 139,193 views
DIY Halloween Pumpkin Diorama - The Pumpkin Queen
28:48
DIY PropsIntermediate

DIY Halloween Pumpkin Diorama - The Pumpkin Queen

Monster Tutorials presents a detailed walkthrough for building a Halloween diorama centered on a 'Pumpkin Queen' character surrounded by a miniature pumpkin patch and skeleton. The build was originally created as a personal entry concept for a mini skeleton prop challenge. Hot wire foam cutting tools are used to shape the scene elements, with flickering LEDs added to bring the diorama to life. The result is a charming, display-ready tabletop Halloween piece with strong character and atmosphere.

Monster Tutorials· 23,421 views
Hot Wire Foam Factory Industrial Hot Knife - Unboxing and Review
15:23
Product Reviews

Hot Wire Foam Factory Industrial Hot Knife - Unboxing and Review

This video from Monster Tutorials unboxes and reviews the Industrial Hot Knife Kit from Hot Wire Foam Factory, a tool designed for carving and sculpting foam props. The host walks viewers through the kit's contents and demonstrates how to use it, effectively doubling as an instructional guide alongside the review. It's a solid reference for haunters and prop builders considering adding a dedicated hot knife to their workshop. The presenter notes they personally use the products they recommend, lending a practical, hands-on perspective to the evaluation.

Monster Tutorials· 10,661 views
Milling Foam Tombstone Epitaphs & Signs with CNC Router Pt 2
12:28
DIY PropsIntermediate

Milling Foam Tombstone Epitaphs & Signs with CNC Router Pt 2

This second installment in a foam tombstone milling series focuses on the software side of CNC fabrication, walking viewers through setting up speeds and feeds in Carbide Create for cutting foam. The workflow culminates in exporting ready-to-run g-code for the Shapeoko 3 router. It is aimed at haunters looking to produce professional-looking tombstone epitaphs, plaques, and signs using digital tooling.

Hauntcast· 363 views
Milling Foam Tombstones Epitaphs & Signs with CNC Pt 1
9:31
DIY PropsIntermediate

Milling Foam Tombstones Epitaphs & Signs with CNC Pt 1

This first installment of a multi-part series covers the digital design phase of creating CNC-milled foam tombstones and signs for haunted attractions. The focus is on building out epitaphs and layouts in Adobe Illustrator before sending artwork to the Shapeoko 3 CNC router. Mastering the vector design step is presented as the critical foundation for clean, repeatable results in the physical milling stage that follows.

Hauntcast· 234 views
foam horns final
12:53
DIY PropsBeginner

foam horns final

Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios walks through a straightforward method for sculpting foam horns from common couch or upholstery foam, suitable for props or masks. The condensed tutorial was trimmed from a much longer Facebook Live session, distilling the core technique into about 13 minutes. The approach is designed to be flexible, encouraging viewers to adapt and embellish the process to achieve custom horn shapes for their own builds.

StiltbeastStudios· 8,713 views
faux stone pedastal base
13:54
DIY PropsBeginner

faux stone pedastal base

StiltbeastStudios walks through the construction of a faux stone pedestal base — a versatile graveyard accent piece designed to elevate urns, statues, and other haunt décor. The build centers on foam fabrication and stone-texture finishing techniques. The resulting prop is lightweight, inexpensive, and adaptable to a wide range of Halloween display scenarios.

StiltbeastStudios· 8,856 views