Gaba The Ghoul and Guppy

Hauntedhomesteadfx · November 3

Gaba the Ghoul & Guppy

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.