The facepiece is a three-part silicone prosthetic (face, chin, and neck), sculpted on a plaster bust, then divided and cast in separate ultra-hard plaster molds. Embedded in SuperBaldiez and airbrushed with Skin Illustrator alcohol colors, the result is a realistic, skin-like texture.

The costume – a type of armor – was crafted by my colleague Janine Zabel. It consists of a corset and two arm guards made from Worbla, FoamClay, and EVA foam, painted with Cospaint.

Medusa was my first multi-piece silicone mask and became the centerpiece of my new studio, “MedusaFXStudio”, in Germany. I chose her because she represents strength, transformation, and femininity. My version shows her in a different light – with pink hair and a bright pink armor – powerful yet playful.

The biggest challenge wasn’t technical, but mental. I started this project back in 2019, but it sat unfinished for four years. With a little encouragement from my colleague, I finally found the courage to complete her. Now, I’m incredibly proud – she stands as a symbol of my own creative rebirth.

Best regards
Daniela Pietralla-Vogel 

https://www.instagram.com/medusafxstudio

Here are some Videos:

https://youtube.com/shorts/2S1kY5IglyY?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/OCEOHJ6peCA?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/QcQmn_WCtMY?feature=share

Grand Prize Pack:  Over $1,400 Value!

• From The Monster Makers -  Over 1,000 Value!
• 1 Lb. Monster Clay Brown - Medium Grade - Michaels exclusive!
• 3 Lbs. Monster Clay Brown - Medium Grade - Michaels exclusive!
• Monster Clay Sculpting Kit - Michaels exclusive!
• Monster Clay Essential Tool Set - Michaels exclusive!
• 4.5 Lbs. Monster Clay Brown - Soft Grade
• 4.5 Lbs. Monster Clay Gray - Medium Grade
• 4.5 Lbs. Monster Clay Green - Hard Grade
• 4.5 Lbs. Monster Clay Limited Edition - Snarly Green
• Monster Clay Sculpting Tools - Gold Stainless Steel
• Monster Clay Sculpting Tools - Aluminum Loops
• Shape Shifter Mini Spatula Sculpting Tools
• Shape Shifter Precision Sculpting Tools
• Ed Head H2.0 Life-Size Male Armature
• Alanna Head H2.0 Life-Size Female Armature
• Half Ed H2.0 Male Face Armature
• Pin Head Mask Stand
• Black Widow Siphon-Feed Airbrush
• Alcohol FX Palette - Injury FX
• Cinema Slime 16 oz. Clear
• Polymer Blood 1 oz. Family Pack
• Polymer Blood 16 oz. Aged
• Cosclay SCULPT 8 oz. Gray - Soft Grade
• Cosclay SCULPT 1 Lb. Gray - Medium Firm Grade
• Cosclay SCULPT 8 oz. Gray - Extra Firm Grade
• Cosclay DOLL 8 oz. Faerie Light
• Cosclay DOLL 8 oz. Warm Beige - Medium Firm Grade
• Cosclay DOLL 8 oz. Soft Sienna
• Cosclay DOLL 8 oz. Beaut Brown
• Cosclay C1 Separator 2 oz.
• Cosclay C3 Gloss Sealer 2 oz.
• Cosclay C3 Matte Sealer 2 oz.
• Cosclay Liquid Polymer 2 oz. Family Pack
• Cosclay LiquidFX Glow 2 oz. Family Pack

• From Stan Winston School
• 1-Year Unlimited Subscription to Stan Winston School - $399.98 value!
• Artist Spotlight on the Stan Winston School Blog - PRICELESS

Grand Prize Winner:

Runner-up:

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

The last sighting of this mysterious creature took place during the summer of 2025 along the Asturian coast. 

The Fish Woman rarely emerges from the depths, but when she does, she causes both awe and terror among beachgoers.

This creature was designed and created by a group of enthusiasts of classic and practical special effects. Every member of the team took part in each stage of the creature’s creation.

Credits (Instagram profiles): 

 carlasculptures 

dunadelsur

 manu_deriguilon

 mariocastro_fx

 sheijascotos

Model: phiros_74

  Editing: cesar_parkeer

Creator: Marshall J. Brown (Haunted Homestead)

Category: Handmade Creature Costume

Character Concept

Gaba the Ghoul and his sidekick Guppy are an inseparable duo — eerie yet endearing, adorable yet unsettling. Their exact relationship is unknown, but their chemistry is undeniable. Together, they balance horror and humor, echoing the uncanny charm of 80s and 90s practical creature design.

This is a new character built for the 2025 haunt season, created specifically for Scarefest Scream Park. Gaba the Ghoul & Guppy performed live nightly as part of a working haunted attraction, appearing on the haunted hayride, greeting guests in the midway, and featured every night during the Monster Meet & Greet stage show.

Returning guests frequently recognized Gaba and Guppy from social media promotions and from earlier in the season, turning them into fan-favorite icons of the park.

Design and Construction

Every component of this costume was made or heavily modified by hand using both new and repurposed materials. The goal was to build something that could survive nightly live performances while maintaining the texture and artistry of classic creature suits.

Mask Reconstruction

The mask began as a 2001 Don Post (Paper Magic) latex mask. It was completely deconstructed and rebuilt onto an army-grade tactical helmet for performance durability and articulation.

• The upper mask was secured to a clear face shield using two-part metal weld epoxy clay, creating a strong, rigid structure.

• The jaw connects to the chin strap, allowing it to move naturally with facial motion.

• The hair section is fastened with industrial Velcro, making it removable and easy to maintain.

This conversion turned a static collector’s mask into a fully functional performance headpiece capable of safe, nightly use in a professional haunted attraction.

Shoulder Piece

The shoulder piece is a single continuous unit that slips easily over the head. The base was carved from ½-inch polyfoam, shaped to rest comfortably across the shoulders while leaving space for head movement.

It was then covered with repurposed fur from an old blanket, attached using spray adhesive. Real deer antlers were inserted through the underside of the foam and secured in place, creating a natural and durable structure that gives Gaba a massive, menacing silhouette.

Tunic and Fabrication

The tunic was drafted from a custom long-sleeve pattern created from scratch. After assembly, the sleeves were folded and sewn back over themselves to form double-layer short sleeves for better proportion and comfort.

The fabric was made from discontinued upholstery suede, providing a heavy, realistic texture.

For finishing, I used layers of:

• Aerosol spray paints and acrylics

• A diluted wash (dark acrylic paint mixed with water) for weathered grime and rain streaks

• Citadel texture dirt paint for tactile buildup

• Green Perma-Blood from the nostrils down the chin and fur, creating a dripping organic effect

Chain Sash and Blade Skull

The chain sash was built from a broken ratchet strap, folded and sewn for reinforcement. It features antique metal accents such as a lamp topper, bottle opener, and chains.

The centerpiece skull, inspired by Blade from Puppet Master, was created using 3D-printed molds cast in resin — one for the head and one for the jaw.

A thin metal rod connects the two pieces, allowing jaw articulation. After sanding and detail work, I painted the piece using model paints to achieve a water-rot effect, added moss in the eye sockets, and sealed it with a gloss coat before attaching it to the sash.

Legs and Ankle Cuffs

The ankle cuffs were made from leftover fur from the shoulder pads, sewn into slip-on bands for an easy and cohesive finish.

The leggings were off-the-shelf nude tights sprayed with adhesive and layered with fur scraps. Once dried and stretched, the surface cracked to create a natural chafed-skin texture, blending the fur and skin for a realistic troll-like appearance.

Guppy

Guppy began as a repurposed Troll doll, repainted and dressed to match Gaba’s color palette. He provides an offbeat touch of humor and warmth to Gaba’s menacing look — creating a visual contrast that appeals to both adults and younger haunt guests.

Surface Finishing and Paint

To achieve realism, I layered multiple paint and texture passes. Between the upholstery suede, fur, and foam, I built up grime, streaking, and moss details to simulate age and dampness. The use of gloss and Perma-Blood finished the look with a wet, organic sheen that reads clearly even under haunt lighting.

Performance and Recognition

Location: Scarefest Scream Park

Performance Roles: Hayride performer, midway greeter, nightly Monster Meet & Greet stage character

Award: Achievement Award, 2025 Season

Feature: MonsterMakers US Social Media, October 31, 2025

Exposure: Featured more than 50 times on Scarefest’s official social media channels

Guests frequently recognized Gaba and Guppy from promotions and past nights, often seeking them out for photos and videos — a testament to their strong presence and memorable design.

Artist Statement / Bio

Name: Marshall J. Brown

Age: 25

I’m a lifelong horror fan and performer with nearly 20 years in theater and the last three in haunted attraction acting. My love for character work and performance naturally evolved into creature design and fabrication, where I can merge movement, makeup, and mechanics to create living monsters.

I’ve developed both traditional and self-taught techniques to make my characters feel real in person and under performance conditions.

When designing Gaba the Ghoul & Guppy, I was inspired by the trolls from Ernest Scared Stupid and the clowns from Killer Klowns from Outer Space. The artistry of the Chiodo Brothers influenced my entire approach — creating creatures that are grotesque yet oddly lovable, just like the classics that inspired me.

Techniques and Materials

• Silicone mold making and resin casting

• Mask articulation and helmet integration

• Foam carving and pattern drafting

• Fur tailoring and custom textile modification

• Airbrush and spray paint finishing

• Weathering, moss, and blood FX application

• Found-object and repurposed material design

• Live performance-ready creature fabrication

Why This Costume Should Win

Gaba the Ghoul & Guppy represent what makes practical creature design timeless — creativity, adaptability, and storytelling. Every component was made or rebuilt by hand, blending art and engineering to create a durable, expressive creature capable of nightly live performance.

This build pays tribute to the legacy of artists like Stan Winston and the Chiodo Brothers — turning imagination, found materials, and determination into something that feels truly alive.

Photo & Video Submission

Gabba The Ghoul and Guppy my original costume for 2025.

Full front view of the completed costume showing silhouette, texture, and articulation.

Full back view highlighting fur pattern, tunic construction, and shoulder piece coverage.

Gaba & Guppy engaging guests up close during live performance, showing movement, character expression, and crowd interaction.

 Video Submission:

A detailed look at Gaba the Ghoul up close, showing articulation, texture, and on-stage movement.

 [https://youtube.com/shorts/MKH49mOOhuM]

(Un corto de Halloween)

https://youtu.be/xy-s1B1SCL8?si=CD-zUzUtiPktRjSD

💚💚💚💚👻👻👻👻💚💚💚💚👻👻👻👻💚💚💚💚👻👻👻👻

But cats never truly die. Her spirit refused stillness, slipping between corpses and shadows, each vessel cracking beneath the weight of her restless soul. Centuries passed. Towns rose and fell. Her purr became a hiss carried on the wind, her eyes twin lanterns of violet fire seeking something she could not name.

Then—one autumn dusk—she found it. Her body, reshaped by years of wandering souls and nightmare flesh, stood waiting in the half-light. Fur and bone and whispers fused together. Nightshade returned, neither beast nor ghost but something caught between. Now she prowls where the veil thins, guarding lost creatures and punishing those who harm them, her chained heart still beating to the rhythm of Atropa’s name.

This is my daughters creation everything except for the climbing suit is all handmade by the family. Using foam techniques for the arms and extruded aluminum for the legs to make sure she stays safe and stable while moving around. She is typically a shy young lady and enjoys watching Stan Winston with us to get ideas and her ever growing passion for the arts. We would love some input on how to make Nightshade better this is our first time entering this kind of contest. Thank you for taking the time to look over my daughters passion project!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaZJrByQ7F0