The Handcrafted 10-Minute Documentary Short, Directed by Twisted Bricks Creator Kristian Stenslie, Brings a Fan-Favorite True Story to Life
Tony Cavalero (“The Righteous Gemstones”) Returns as Vince for a New Season of Radio Rental, Premiering October 23, Just in Time for Halloween
Tenderfoot TV, the award-winning podcast studio behind Up and Vanished, To Live and Die in LA, and Wisecrack, has partnered with Twisted Bricks and creator, award-winning stop-motion filmmaker Kristian Stenslie, to bring one of its most popular Radio Rental stories to life in an entirely new medium. Directed by Stenslie, the 10-minute stop-motion documentary short film, Laura of the Woods, uses intricate, handcrafted LEGO-inspired animation to visually retell a chilling firsthand account. The story follows a young boy whose ordinary day exploring the woods takes a disturbing turn when he encounters a mysterious girl whose intentions remain unclear. The film premieres October 22nd at 8 PM ET on YouTube, followed by the return of Radio Rental with new podcast episodes on October 23, just in time for Halloween.
Originally featured on Radio Rental, Laura of the Woods has generated over 3 million downloads, becoming one of the series’ most memorable stories. Created by Payne Lindsey, Radio Rental explores bizarre crimes, paranormal encounters, and unexplained phenomena through firsthand accounts from the people who experienced them. Set inside a fictional 1980s video rental shop, the cult classic-inspired series blends documentary storytelling with dark comedy and has surpassed 85 million downloads since launching in 2019, celebrating its milestone 100th episode earlier this year.
The collaboration arrives amid a strong year for horror at the box office and a shifting entertainment landscape where independent creators are finding new ways to reach audiences. Rather than pursuing a conventional animated adaptation, Tenderfoot TV partnered with Twisted Bricks to create something unexpected: a creator-led documentary short that combines the nostalgic appeal of brick-built stop-motion with the immersive atmosphere of true-life horror.
The upcoming season also welcomes back actor and comedian Tony Cavalero (“The Righteous Gemstones”), reprising his role as Vince. Cavalero follows Rainn Wilson (“The Office”), who originated the role of eccentric shopkeeper Terry Carnation, and comedian Jeff Foxworthy (“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”), who later took over the shop. The Radio Rental universe has also featured a memorable lineup of guest voices, including Tig Notaro (“Star Trek: Discovery”), Rachel Dratch (“Saturday Night Live”), Josh Radnor (“How I Met Your Mother”), Chris Redd (“Saturday Night Live”), and Brian Baumgartner (“The Office”).
