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.

Star Wars Themed Room Lighting – Inspired by Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge

VanOaksProps walks through the complete build of a screen-accurate Galaxy's Edge-style wall light fixture, drawing inspiration from the Droid Depot and cast-member doors at Disneyland's Star Wars land. The project covers every stage from 3D-printing ABS parts and sanding them smooth, through priming, painting, and oil-paint weathering, to wiring a 24-LED NeoPixel ring driven by an ESP32 microcontroller with a free animated Arduino sketch. The result is a fully functional, prop-quality sci-fi light suitable for a themed room or display. A complimentary 3D model file and Arduino sketch are provided for viewers to replicate the build.

VanOaksProps· 9,645 views

10:18

DIY PropsIntermediate$20–$50

Home Depot DIY Lightsaber

VanOaksProps demonstrates how to build a screen-accurate, Original Trilogy-inspired lightsaber entirely from common PVC plumbing components and basic hardware. The build walks through assembly of various PVC fittings to form the hilt body, followed by a multi-stage paint process — chrome base, matte black, and oil-paint weathering — to achieve a realistic metal appearance. Free grip template files are available to download, making the project accessible to beginners with intermediate crafting ambition. The result is a movie-quality prop built at a fraction of the cost of commercial replicas.

VanOaksProps· 59,195 views

11:13

DIY PropsIntermediate

DIY Star Wars Data Panel with VIDEO!

VanOaksProps walks through building a Star Wars-inspired data panel as a personal display piece, centered around a 10-inch digital photo frame that plays looping video content. The build layers laser-cut panels, EVA foam details, split loom and drain hose greeblies, and LEDs to achieve an authentic sci-fi control panel aesthetic. Airbrushing and oil paint weathering give the finished piece a battle-worn, screen-accurate look. SVG and 3D files for the panel design are available through the creator's Etsy shop.

VanOaksProps· 14,245 views

How to Paint Realistic Metallic Finishes

8:02

DIY PropsIntermediate

How to Paint Realistic Metallic Finishes

This VanOaksProps tutorial breaks down the process of achieving professional-looking metallic and chrome finishes on props, with a focus on avoiding common pitfalls. The workflow centers on proper base coat preparation followed by specialized metallic paints applied via airbrush. Oil paints are also incorporated for subtle weathering and depth. Multiple chrome paint options at varying price points are presented so viewers can choose what suits their budget and skill level.

VanOaksProps· 22,459 views

LET'S MAKE: #StarWars Fusion Furnace/Fusion Generator - Smart Lamp Hack!

9:09

DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$80 (estimated based on lamp, filament, paints)

LET'S MAKE: #StarWars Fusion Furnace/Fusion Generator - Smart Lamp Hack!

VanOaksProps walks through a casual, build-along episode of crafting a Star Wars-inspired fusion furnace/generator prop by combining a 3D-printed shell with an off-the-shelf smart LED lamp. The build is credited to a fellow maker whose lamp-hack concept inspired the project. Painting and weathering techniques give the finished piece a worn, screen-adjacent look suitable for display in any Star Wars fan space.

VanOaksProps· 9,406 views