Tenderfoot TV and Twisted Bricks Unveil Stop-Motion Horror Short ‘Laura of the Woods’ Ahead of Radio Rental Season Return

Award-winning podcast studio Tenderfoot TV (Up and Vanished, To Live and Die in LA) has teamed up with stop-motion filmmaker Kristian Stenslie and Twisted Bricks to adapt one of its most chilling true stories into an entirely new medium.

Releasing just in time for Halloween, Laura of the Woods transforms a fan-favorite tale from the cult-classic podcast Radio Rental into a 10-minute, handcrafted stop-motion horror short film. The project made its YouTube premiere on October 22, 2026, paving the way for the return of Radio Rental with brand-new podcast episodes on October 23.

Bringing a True Nightmare to Life in Brick Form

Originally featured on Radio Rental, “Laura of the Woods” stands as one of the show’s most memorable and unsettling accounts, pulling in over 3 million downloads. Created by Payne Lindsey, Radio Rental blends documentary storytelling with dark comedy inside a fictional 1980s video rental shop, exploring bizarre true crimes and paranormal encounters told firsthand by the people who experienced them.

Rather than going the traditional animation route, Tenderfoot TV partnered with Twisted Bricks to leverage the nostalgic charm of LEGO-inspired stop-motion to build something genuinely terrifying. The short follows a young boy whose ordinary day exploring the woods takes a dark turn when he encounters a mysterious girl with unclear intentions.

Kristian Stenslie, founder of Twisted Bricks and director of the short, noted the unique synergy between the medium and the source material:

“What drew me to Laura of the Woods was the opportunity to take a genuinely unsettling story and bring it to life in a way audiences haven’t seen before. I think the hand-crafted nature of stop motion pairs really well with the first-person narrative style of Radio Rental and gives the viewer a really unique and immersive experience.”

Producer Payne Lindsey echoed those sentiments, praising the meticulous craftsmanship behind the project:

“‘Laura of the Woods’ still creeps me out, and I already know how it ends. Kristian and Twisted Bricks built this entire little nightmare by hand, one frame at a time. The level of detail is insane. You get caught up in the story and forget you’re watching stop-motion. I love that something made out of toys can be this unsettling.”

Radio Rental Returns for a New Season

The short film serves as a gateway to a massive week for the Radio Rental universe. Following the YouTube premiere of Laura of the Woods, the flagship podcast returned with all-new episodes on October 23, available across major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The upcoming season welcomes back actor and comedian Tony Cavalero (The Righteous Gemstones) reprising his role as eccentric video store clerk Vince. Over the years, the Radio Rental shopkeeper mantle has been worn by notable comedic talents, including Rainn Wilson (who originated the role as Terry Carnation) and Jeff Foxworthy, alongside a star-studded guest voice roster featuring Tig Notaro, Rachel Dratch, Josh Radnor, and Chris Redd.

About the Creators

• Tenderfoot TV: Founded in 2016 by Payne Lindsey and Donald Albright, Tenderfoot TV has grown into an audio and entertainment powerhouse with over 1 billion downloads to date. Renowned for true-crime and investigative hits like Up and Vanished and Atlanta Monster, the studio continues to expand its reach into television and film adaptations.

• Twisted Bricks: Headed by award-winning animator Kristian Stenslie, Twisted Bricks specializes in brick-built stop-motion across action, sci-fi, and horror. Stenslie is widely recognized for his work on the Void War Universe, pushing the boundaries of independent stop-motion animation.

Fans of true horror and unique indie animation can watch the Laura of the Woods stop-motion short film on YouTube, and catch the latest podcast episodes of Radio Rental wherever they stream their audio.