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The Creators Of The Halloween Diorama Chat Us Up About Their Horror Art Creations

Thursday, March 12, 2020 | Sunday, Bloody, Funday

It has arrived! Here is the Halloween Limited Edition Diorama created by artists Ryan Shaffer of Horror Express Studios and Erik Arndt. Recreating a memorable scene from John Carpenter’ 1978 classic Halloween, there are only eighteen of these extremely limited pieces available. Shaffer expertly recreates the street view scene while Arndt is tasked with detailing the vehicle to resemble the one we see Michael Myers cruising around in. Both Ryan Shaffer and Erik Arndt sat down with us to answer a couple questions about these incredibly detailed dioramas, replicas  and so much more. 

The collectible diorama measures 8″ x 8″ and sells for $375 USD.

How did you choose this scene to be remembered and replicated by you?

RS: Most of all the shots that showed the car, it was moving. I just wanted to give a strong Halloween vibe with the tree losing its leaves, the sidewalk that Laurie, Linda and Annie walk home from school on and most importantly the hedges! 

How many hours would you say this Halloween diorama took to complete (from planning stage to finished project)?

RS: I would say that it takes around 18-20 hours of total build time. There’s a lot of steps that require waiting overnight before I can move forward so it takes me about a week. Sometimes longer. I’ve been sinking a lot of my time in the smallest details for these. I want people to get it and be surprised at how realistic it all looks.

The possessed Christine car miniature created by Erik Arndt.
 
Erik, I wanted to pick your brain about the replicas of “horror” vehicles you do. What goes into the process, like from choosing a vehicle to create all the way up to the final product? Tell us about the Christine film car you recreate?
 

EA: I have made multiple versions of her, and with each build I try to find ways to improve her. I’m currently working on one that will have remote controlled lights and radio. For me the movie Christine hits home in a lot of ways. Being a car guy, I remember falling head over heels for my first car, I guess you could say I was obsessed much like Arnie Cunningham. I strip these cars down to the bone and add dents and scratches, real rust, and many led lights. On some of them, oldies music plays when you press the license plate. 

 
What is one thing you want the readers to take away from this article?
 
RS: I would hope that people view me as the kind of artist that can do a little bit of everything. I do like to break things up and try new things and just bounce around the genre doing all kinds of creepy creations. Props, Signs, Busts, Dioramas, On of a kind items. I’d like to think that if it can be imagined, it can be made one way or another. There really is no right or wrong way to make something when it comes down to art. Everyone has there methods for different things, but that really doesn’t matter as long as it works and looks good. 
 
My Bloody Valentine Harry Warden bust created by Ryan Shaffer.
Check out more creations from both artists at Ryan Shaffer’s Horror Express Studios and Erik Arndt.
Chris Hammond
The Curator of the Creepy collectibles. I've been an avid horror fan for over 3 decades. Meeting and writing about some of the finest artists from all over the world is a pure joy. I've written for multiple websites on the art and collectible front. The horror bug that lives inside me is well cared for and has been going strong since I watched my first introduction to horror through a grainy VHS copy of John Carpenter's 1978 classic film Halloween.