Melissa Van Sandt

Happy Birthday to this lil adventure ham! Isn’t he just the best 💝🐷🍑

I LOVE this pic and it pretty much sums up the show- my boss and now my friend, the Sculpting Lead @alexsherrod . We had each others backs throughout the chaos! 💥👊👾 #strangerthingsseason5

The Pain Tree set or Shadowfell was the most rewarding set of the show for me. As the Set Foreman I felt a huge responsibility to not only deliver the most dynamic set of the show in an ever-diminishing timeframe but also to allow each sculptor on the crew their share of creative ownership in the project. Thankfully everyone’s name made it to the credits, which is kind of rare! There isn’t a single sculptor on the team that didn’t play a critical role in making the set a huge success. I’m very proud of our collective efforts and grateful to have been able to guide the team on this project. It’s my favorite kind of work. Thank you #strangerthings for the opportunity!

Max’s cave- or the “M” cave was the set I had the most fun on. Getting to work with my best friend @makotomatt everyday and taking turns on the radio (the acoustics in there were amazing!) while the rest of the sculpture crew was busy elsewhere was a rare treat 😅 We have opposing strengths and weaknesses in our sculpting abilities and made the perfect team to bring this cave to life. Many deep discussions on rock sculpting techniques, best music to listen to when making rocks, and geological formation theories were had in this cave. We had a great time making this set and I think the end result speaks to that.

2025 Year in review- what a whirlwind of adventure!! 1. Began with a gutted kitchen- we did the remodel ourselves! 2. A quick trip to Tulum, Mexico with @jodesmagodes 3. Finally tried and hated Malort with @nancy_burke_ 4. Braves home game with my favs the Matsubaras, Braves won! 5. Future Islands concert in Asheville with @___imaj___ and @hug_buzzard 6. Cubs game at Wrigley! They won! 7. Bear and I absolutely LOVING Chicago @windwoodboy 8. Really getting to know the New River, WV with multiple runs over 2 separate trips with @windwoodboy 9. My man guiding me safely through the Grand Canyon for 16 days. He crushed it @windwoodboy 10. Our fearless trip leader/ spirit guide/ canyon sprite @skschuetz 11. Got to do a quick job in my old college stomping grounds of Greenville, NC with my Stranger Things fam @alexsherrod , @lotuaconicanor , @sherrieelyse (pc: @lotuaconicanor ) 12. My Mother-in-law being an absolute Christmas ham and I love her for it! (pc: @jefffullerdrums ) Not pictured are lots of other concerts and river days, home projects, and impromptu gatherings with friends. I loved this yearlong break from work and the opportunity to focus on friends and adventures! Can’t wait to see what 2026 brings ❤️

As episodes drop I can begin to share some of my favorite memories from working on #strangerthingsseason5 It was a remarkable show in many ways, but the sheer volume of sculpted sets made it an absolute pleasure to be a part of. The Meat Wall, first seen in Episode 2, will always hold a special place in my heart. While everything about film work is team work and I had a lot of help getting this one started and later assembled on location, I had the rare opportunity to show my hand on this one, given longs days (weeks?) to work alone doing what I love best; Hotwiring large organic forms. Truly a labor of love.

16 day paddle through The Grand Canyon with some of the best people you could survive the elements with! It was exhausting and oh so rewarding. Also, thank you @windwoodboy for never flipping our raft!

We celebrated the chillest paddle on the Upper Hooch with some German decadence

Best lil getaway with my favorite lady 🇲🇽🥰

Floors are done! Stained and polished concrete overlay instead of those nasty old restaurant tiles (last image for reference). I asked the flooring guys to color match our dirt outside. They nailed it! Now on to drywall…

Greenhouse is up! Thanks @windwoodboy for doing 75% of the work and thanks to @addiebabcock for dragging me across the finish line! 🌱💚

Demolition phase at the Casa 🤘