Halloween Max has made it!

Remember local Center Moriches graduate Max Mastropierro?

For over  10 years, he prepared for Halloween by hosting haunted walks, fixing mechanical decorations, and fundraising for Spirit of Children, Spirit Halloween’s charity.

In 2021 and 2022, Max, with the help of his father, hosted a family and friends party at a law enforcement motorcycle club in Bohemia. Then, in 2023, at 19 years old, he moved to New Jersey and after completing a summer internship at Spirit/Spencer Corporate Offices in Egg Harbor Township, he was offered a full-time position in the Dr. Zombie Tech Squad area of Spirit Headquarters.

Well, he has made his dream come true, opening their own full-in house animatronics business with a partner, Brandon Fuges, called Screamfitters.

“I think the most important part of chasing your goals is to surround yourself with friends that share similar ambitions and will support you throughout,” Fuges said. “In my mind, this business wouldn’t be possible without all of my best friends and family. Learning and growing together has been such a fun and rewarding journey thus far, and I’m always looking forward to the future.”

They also currently have warehouses in the Center Moriches/Manorville area and in Pennsylvania. His work sells upwards of $7,000.

“I am proud of both me and my business partner, Brandon,” Mastropierro said. “Within the past year we have come so far and have been beyond happy with how everything is going.”

The duo creates built-to-order props for haunted houses, dark rides, and amusement parks. They also provide restoration services and have traveled to many new and old haunted houses to work on installing and maintaining props, show controls, and animatronics.

Founded in 2024, Screamfitters, he said, was an idea dreamt up by him and his friend turned partner with a common goal: to build quality products and solid connections with the incredible people of the attraction industry.

“After many years of working hands-on with animatronics, we are confident in building you a product that your attraction can display with pride,” he said of his work. “We are detail oriented, and passionate about what we do.”

Last month, he went to St. Louis for his official launch at the biggest Halloween trade show in the U.S. Mastropierro now lives in Center Moriches and when he isn’t working in his Manorville art studio, he is traveling to their Pennsylvania workshop or to meet clients.

What next for Mastropierro and Fuges? They are preparing this year’s Transworld Halloween and attractions show.

For more information about his business, visit screamfitters.com.