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.

9 videos

This Halloween Bust Follows You With Its Eyes! (DIY Monument Prop)
19:11
DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$80

This Halloween Bust Follows You With Its Eyes! (DIY Monument Prop)

VanOaksProps walks through the construction of a cemetery monument prop featuring a bust with a classic 'following eyes' optical illusion — the face appears to track viewers as they move past it. The build relies primarily on XPS foam, a cardboard tube column, and a bust sourced from a third-party supplier, finished with textured coatings and earth-tone paints to mimic aged stone. Weathering techniques including dry brushing and wash layers give the piece convincing graveyard patina. The result is a striking, customizable centerpiece suited for yard haunts, home haunts, and cemetery scenes.

VanOaksProps· 18,845 views
Easy & Realistic Fake Brick Walls From Foam!
11:00
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$60 depending on project scale

Easy & Realistic Fake Brick Walls From Foam!

This tutorial by VanOaksProps walks through the full process of creating convincing fake brick walls from XPS foam, covering every stage from measuring and cutting to texturing and painting. The creator demonstrates how to use a hot wire table and surform rasp to shape individual bricks, then applies heat to mimic aged surface texture. A multi-step paint process using several earth-tone acrylics over a masonry sealer base coat produces a hyper-realistic, lightweight brick panel suitable for haunts, sets, or home displays.

VanOaksProps· 59,420 views
DIY ULTRA Realistic Halloween Tombstones!
10:50
DIY PropsIntermediate$20–$60

DIY ULTRA Realistic Halloween Tombstones!

VanOaks Props walks through a complete process for building ultra-realistic foam tombstones that convincingly mimic aged stone. The tutorial covers shaping, carving fine details, texturing with caulk, and a multi-step painting workflow using acrylic washes and a masonry sealer to achieve an authentic weathered-granite look. Techniques like flame treatment and dry brushing add depth and surface realism that elevate these props well beyond typical foam graveyard pieces.

VanOaksProps· 85,031 views
How to make a DIY animatronic dinosaur (Part 1)
10:26
DIY AnimatronicsAdvanced

How to make a DIY animatronic dinosaur (Part 1)

Part 1 of a multi-episode series documenting the garage build of a life-sized animatronic Velociraptor for a home haunt, inspired by Jurassic World's raptor containment scenes and Universal's VelociCoaster. The creator walks through the early design phase — sketching, scaling reference drawings, and foam carving the raptor's basic form using a hot wire tool and rotary tool. The episode closes by teasing the animatronic electronics integration planned for future parts.

Creative Geekery· 16,842 views
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
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
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
Creepy Halloween Crypt from Foam!
10:46
DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$80

Creepy Halloween Crypt from Foam!

VanOaksProps walks viewers through building a foam crypt or mausoleum from scratch using common XPS foam and basic hand tools, making it accessible for home haunters of most skill levels. The build covers cutting and shaping foam to mimic stone and brick architecture, then sealing and painting it with layered acrylic washes to achieve a convincingly aged, mossy, weathered finish. The result is a dramatic cemetery centerpiece that goes well beyond a standard tombstone display.

VanOaksProps· 63,599 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