How to Make Faux Steel Panels without Vacummforming

Terra from her Youtube channel has another incredibly AMAZING tutorial on how to make fake weathered and rusty steel panels using pink insulation foam sheets and parts from a hardware store.  This is a very cost effective method considering that the same panels that are made using a vacummforming method can cost around a hundred dollars and upwards.

(via Haunters Digest)

Tutorial:

Weathering Props: Fake Moss

Here is a cool trick for anyone needing to add moss to a prop whether it be a tombstone, tree, or anything else.     It's easy and super cheap!

Link:  http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-step-step/112685-faux-carpet-moss-tombstones.html

Tombstones on a Dime

Propmaker pro Dave Lowe, who I have mentioned before, has just posted a awesome tutorial on turning a Fedex box into a low-cost tombstone.  It's perfect for anyone wanting a yard haunt or in need of some tomstones for their zombie movie but are low on funds. 

Go here for the full how-to.

Weathering Props How-To: Grime

Here is a cool video tutorial on griming up a prop or set from Terra's Lab, a home haunter, whom I have previously mentioned in past posts, and is a person that is seriously dedicated to the love of haunts and prop building.  Remember kids weathering props can make a far more realistic prop.  So this is a another skill to put into your toolbox.

(H/T to The Haunter's Digest)

How to Antique a Mirror

Found this cool tutorial that I want to share with you on how to turn a modern mirror into a weathered antique.  The perfect thing for any horror film or home haunter. 

Tutorial found here.

Inspiration: Motel Marquee Sign Update

Last week I mentioned this cool behind-the-scenes look at the making of a rusty and weathered motel marquee sign.  Well, Michael Fitchenfoo (aka Fitchenfoo) has updated his site with newer pics of the sign and it's base complete with fake trash and weeds. 

It truly is one of the best set prop pieces I have ever seen.

Go here to be amazed.

Inspiration: Steampunk Horror Walkthrough

I'm not entirely sure if this is a video promoting a Halloween walkthrough, but damn it's cool.  This was all done in one garage and has several different sets and on the spot sound effects and environmental changes.  It is AMAZING!  See it for yourself:



Steampunk Horror Walkthrough 2010

(via Boing Boing)

Inspiration: How to Build a Rusty Marquee Sign

I have seen many cool props and sets during my years doing this blog but hands down this Marquee Sign has to be in my top five fave.  It's really-really cool!

Go here to see how someone has built a cool rusty weatherworn marquee sign complete with a fake weathered concrete slab to hold it in place.

Use Contact Paper to Create Fake Holes on Set Walls

This is a very cool tutorial on how to use five dollar contact paper to create a faux busted up wall effect on a wall.

It's perfect for anyone needing to give set walls a weathered look without too much trouble.  Go here for the full details.

Learn How to Build a Tombstone

As you may recall I mentioned a great resource for any prop maker or home haunter out there from Terra's Lair (scaryladyvideos) Youtube channel.  In the video below Terra shows you how to build a tombstone.



Want to know what monster mud is?  Go here for more details.

(h/t to Haunters Digest)

Terra's Lair

This morning I stumbled upon a great and resourceful Youtube channel for any prop maker, set designer, or home haunter showcasing a treasure trove of tutorials and behind-the-scenes of some of the sets/props that a woman named Terra has made for her own home haunts called Terra's Lair. 

Go here to see the full set of vids and be sure to see her fantastic blog which also features tons of helpful hints not just for home haunters but for set and prop makers as well.

Stagecrafting: Working with Styrofoam

Here is a nifty article from talented home haunter Dread Night on how to use and craft styrofoam for sets and prop projects.  It's one of the better how-to's on the topic out there and well worth the read.  Go here for more.

TRANSYLVANIA TV BEHIND THE SCENES: BUILDING FAKE WALLS AND ARCHES

Here are two great links on the behind-the-scenes stagecraft that went into the creation of the fake walls and archways for the puppet web series Transylvania TV.  Lots of great tips can be found on each vid.

Video One
Video two

MAKE YOUR OWN VINES

I stumbled upon this nifty tutorial on DIY artificial jungle vines for exterior set dressing. Go here for the details. (via Haunt Forum)

A LOOK SOMETHING I'M WORKING ON

Here is a pic of the mini-set that I am building for a short film/music vid. At the moment I am weathering it a bit and plan on adding stained glass windows and steampunkish lab equipment. More coming soon.

BUILD YOUR OWN HOT GLUE COBWEB GUN

WARNING: I feel that, although this tutorial is seemingly safe, I must caution everyone to build this at your own risk. After all you are dealing with a hot glue gun so be sure to take safety measures to protect yourself and property. Do this at your own risk!

Now that I'm done covering my butt; here is a brilliant tutorial on how to build a hot glue web gun. The genius thing about this gun is that it eliminates the need for a air compressor and instead uses a air inflator commonly found with air mattresses and swimming pools. Check it out:

BUILD YOUR OWN HAUNTED PIRATE SHIP

Wow! I just came across an amazing behind the scenes look at a pirate ship set build from the blog The Haunted Mansion - Northside. Check out this link and see how a semi-full scale pirate ship was made. Well worth the time.

BUILD A TOE PINCHER COFFIN FOR 3 DOLLARS

Here is yet another ingenious tutorial from the Halloween Forum which was posted by FirstSpartan. It's a how-to on building a toe pincher coffin (the old school coffin) for less than three dollars.

All you need is a bit of ingenuity and access to scrap materials and you can build one on your own for that centerpiece to your yard haunt or for your next HOUSE OF USHER redux. Go here for more.

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BUILDING FAKE TOMBSTONES

Most yard haunts or spooky horror flicks are not complete without a few fake tombstones. So here is a few places to go to to find out how to make your own tombstones:

Keeba's Tombstones - by far one of the best tutorials on the subject.

Build a Beloved Tombstone

Build a Grim Reaper Stature/Tombstone

How to use spray paint and masking tape to etch a fake tombstone

A cool tutorial over at Stolloween on creating character tombstones

BEEF NETTING FOR ALL OF YOUR HOME HAUNT NEEDS

Here is a nifty link for all of you home haunters or set designers out there who need to add some cool web effects. Who knew beef netting could be so cool.