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.

14 videos

Warhammer 40K Cadian Cosplay Painting Tutorial - Free EVA Foam Armor Templates and Free stl Files
16:33
Costume TutorialsIntermediate

Warhammer 40K Cadian Cosplay Painting Tutorial - Free EVA Foam Armor Templates and Free stl Files

This is Part 4 of SKS Props' ongoing Warhammer 40K Cadian Imperial Guard cosplay armor series, focusing on painting and weathering techniques for EVA foam armor pieces. The creator walks through a multi-step paint process using greens, rust effects, metallic powders, and washes to achieve a battle-worn Imperial Guard aesthetic. Free PDF foam templates and STL files for 3D-printed components such as the helmet, shoulders, and rifle are available on the creator's website. The series is building toward a group cosplay appearance at Dragon Con.

SKS Props· 1,924 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
I 3D Printed a LIFE SIZE Haunted Mansion Door for Neil Patrick Harris - PART 1
6:43
DIY PropsIntermediate

I 3D Printed a LIFE SIZE Haunted Mansion Door for Neil Patrick Harris - PART 1

VanOaksProps tackles Part 1 of an ambitious life-size 3D-printed Haunted Mansion door build, commissioned for Neil Patrick Harris. This episode focuses specifically on faux metallic painting techniques designed to achieve a refined, subtly aged finish rather than the heavily weathered look typically featured on the channel. The creator walks through a layered acrylic and spray-paint process using bronze, gold, patina, and black tones to convincingly mimic aged metal. It's a practical deep-dive into a more nuanced approach to prop finishing.

VanOaksProps· 16,757 views
DIY Halloween Grave Marker Prop
5:40
DIY PropsBeginnerunder $20

DIY Halloween Grave Marker Prop

VanOaksProps shares a quick, beginner-friendly technique for making a 3D-printed cemetery grave marker look like authentic aged cast iron using common craft paints and household items. Inspired by real perpetual care markers found in historic New England cemeteries, the finished prop adds a convincing, historically grounded detail to any Halloween graveyard display. The core painting method — layering chalk paint, aluminum acrylic, and black acrylic — is versatile enough to apply to cosplay pieces, scale models, and other prop-building projects beyond Halloween.

VanOaksProps· 6,815 views
Super Easy Faux Granite Paint
5:47
DIY PropsBeginnerunder $20

Super Easy Faux Granite Paint

VanOaksProps demonstrates a fast, beginner-friendly technique for achieving a convincing faux granite finish, applied here to create a Halloween grave marker. The method layers multiple FolkArt acrylic colors using spray bottles and a mesh strainer to mimic the speckled texture of real stone. A vinyl stencil cut on a Silhouette Cameo adds crisp lettering or imagery, and a Mod Podge Gloss topcoat ties the finish together. The result is an inexpensive, eye-catching cemetery prop that can be completed in well under an hour.

VanOaksProps· 13,209 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
How to make a Realistic Peeling Paint Effect
7:12
Set DesignBeginner$20–$40

How to make a Realistic Peeling Paint Effect

VanOaksProps demonstrates a quick, low-cost technique for creating convincingly aged, peeling paint on haunted house walls. The method combines orange peel texture spray and liquid latex to build up layers that peel away realistically. Acrylic paints in earthy tones add depth and a grimy, neglected look. The result is a theatrical faux finish achievable with minimal supplies and little experience.

VanOaksProps· 24,460 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
Tower of Terror Sign Replica - Bronze Patina Paint Technique
8:01
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$50

Tower of Terror Sign Replica - Bronze Patina Paint Technique

VanOaksProps walks through a faux bronze patina painting technique inspired by the iconic Tower of Terror sign. Using a small selection of FolkArt acrylic paints, waxes, and an airbrush, the tutorial demonstrates how to achieve a convincingly aged, weather-worn metal look on any prop surface. The method is approachable for beginners and adaptable beyond the specific Disney replica to any project requiring a realistic bronze or verdigris finish. A sealing step with clear coat and wax ensures the finished effect is durable and display-ready.

VanOaksProps· 12,713 views
DIY Fake Tree Stump With Spray Foam
8:11
DIY PropsBeginnerlow (many materials sourced from dollar stores and home improvement stores)

DIY Fake Tree Stump With Spray Foam

VanOaksProps walks through the full process of building a convincing fake tree stump using a 5-gallon bucket as a base form, expanding spray foam for texture, and layered acrylic and spray paints to achieve a realistic wood-and-moss finish. The build relies on inexpensive, widely available materials, making it accessible to beginners. A handy secondary use highlighted in the video is concealing a projector inside the hollow stump, adding functional value to a purely decorative prop.

VanOaksProps· 142,582 views
Easy Fake Brick Wall Using Joint Compound
8:18
DIY PropsBeginnerunder $30

Easy Fake Brick Wall Using Joint Compound

VanOaksProps demonstrates a budget-friendly method for creating a convincing faux brick wall using joint compound and precision masking tape — no large foam panels required. The technique is well-suited for small accent sections within a haunt or set build, making it ideal when only a localized brick effect is needed. Multiple FolkArt acrylic paint colors are layered with sponges and brushes to add depth, age, and realism to the finished surface. The approach doubles as a general home-décor faux-finish technique beyond Halloween use.

VanOaksProps· 109,182 views
Making a Metal Plaque using Tissue Paper!
6:49
DIY PropsBeginner$10–$25

Making a Metal Plaque using Tissue Paper!

VanOaksProps demonstrates how to transform basic craft-store materials into a convincing faux-metal tomb plaque suitable for coffins, mausoleums, or haunt set dressing. The core technique uses tissue paper and Mod Podge to build an organic surface texture that mimics cast metal, followed by layered acrylic paints to achieve a realistic bronze patina. The creator emphasizes that small, believable details like this elevate a haunt from amateur to near-professional quality. A downloadable 3D model for the plaque design is also provided.

VanOaksProps· 18,712 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
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