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.

DIY Halloween Cemetery: New Orleans-style Crypt Build

VanOaksProps walks through a full large-scale crypt build inspired by the iconic above-ground tombs of New Orleans cemeteries. The project covers design through final weathered finish using accessible materials centered on XPS insulation foam. Techniques include routing decorative details, foam carving, spackling for texture, and paint weathering to achieve an authentic aged-stone look. The finished prop is designed to be lightweight and durable enough for repeated seasonal outdoor use.

VanOaksProps· 38,587 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

8:04

DIY PropsIntermediate

DIY Haunted Mansion-Inspired Bust

VanOaksProps kicks off a multi-part build series with a Haunted Mansion-inspired animated bust, focusing in Part 1 on crafting the decorative pedestal. Inspired by a hack from the Prop Agenda channel, the creator shapes and details foam using a variety of cutting, routing, and sanding tools. The finished pedestal draws heavily from the iconic Singing Busts seen in Disney's Haunted Mansion graveyard sequence. This first episode lays the structural and aesthetic groundwork before the animated bust itself is tackled in later parts.

VanOaksProps· 16,352 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