Hot Film & Theater Posts
How To: Make a fake ghost amateur video
This video show you how you can add a fake ghost to an amateur film or home video.
How To: Make costume hooves
They are made from a pair of comfortable wedge sandals, and are very durable. Materials used:
How To: Shoot an anonymous interview for documentaries
Watch this video to learn how to shoot anonymous interviews for documentaries. Matt explains how to maintain anonymity using the proper lighting and audio effects.
How To: Make a puppet from stuffed toys
Watch this video to learn how to make puppets from stuffed toys. In this video, Barbara Dewey converts Pink Panther, Bugs Bunny and several others into ventriloquist figures. Barbara also gives some tips for caring for your puppets and some ideas for modifying them. Stay tuned for the amazing performance in the last video of this three part video series!
How To: Make wire armatures for stop motion
Learn how to use 16" gage aluminum wire to make stop motion puppet armatures. It is very easy to do, and wire works great for anyone just starting out. You can also see how to make basic wood feet using tie downs.
How To: Create a Detachable DIY DSLR PVC Shoulder Rig
This video is going to teach you how to Create a DETACHABLE DIY Pvc Shoulder Rig Video: .
Becoming the Dark Knight: 8 DIYers Show Us How to Build Batman's Belongings
The final chapter of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy is here, The Dark Knight Rises, and if you're anything like me, it made you want to immediately don a cowl of your own and run around punching criminals. Don't forget though, one of the most awesome aspects of Batman is his never-ending supply of crazy gadgets. Unfortunately for most of us, we don't have a billion dollars, nor Morgan Freeman, so we'll just have to make do with some good old-fashioned DIY tricks. Read on for a rundown of ...
How To: Create a Cardboard Shader in Maya 2011
Create Your Cardboard Masterpiece Before you can create the shader, you must create an object to test the shader out on so that you will feel comfortable with your results. I have chosen to do the traditional cardboard box for this.
How To: Create a hole in the chest special effect with green screen and gore
Indy Mogul Backyard FX is here with an awesome, cheap, special effect build that will have your audience jumping out of their seats. If you're a filmmaker on a budget you've got to watch this video and learn how to make a hole in the chest effect that look exactly like there is a hole in the actor's chest.
How To: Make Splinter Cell Goggles
These goggles are great for a stage prop, cosplay, Halloween, or any videos you may make! They're made to look like Sam Fisher's tridents from the game series Splinter Cell.
HowTo: Make Your Own Tron Suit
We all love Tron. The more Tron the better. We learned how to make a Tron suit with the help of Adafruit, but here's a new rendition that substitutes the electroluminescent wire for LEDs. Instructables member sheetmetalalchemist says the LEDs are brighter, sturdier and lighter.
How To: Set up a stable car mount for your camera
One of the problems with car mounts for film cameras is avoiding harmonic vibration and keeping your shot steady. This tutorial shows you how to make your own camera mount that will shoot stable, clear footage as the car drives.
How To: Turn a Manfrotto tripod into a DIY DSLR car mount
In this clip, you'll learn a simple method for modifying a Manfrotto tripod into a fun, functional car mount for your Canon or Nikon digital single-lens reflex camera. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Make a costume replica of the Jason Voorhees machete from Freddy vs. Jason
Freddy vs. Jason was one of the greatest film cash-ins of all time, but it was still cool to imagine these two greats of 1980's horror squaring off. This video will show you how to make a replica of Jason's machete from the film, using a real machete as a base. They aren't expensive, and if you're going to a Halloween party where real weapons are allowed this would be a great one to use.
How To: Make a fake Glock pistol prop with functional slide, trigger and magazine lock
Using guns in your independent films is risky business, and expensive to boot. Since you probably don't need to actually shoot anything, you can probably get by with a replica prop gun. If you're gonna do that, why not make it yourself? This video will show you how to make a realistic prop Glock handgun with working trigger, slide and magazine lock.
How To: Make a claymation puppet
In order to make a claymation puppet, you will need the following: clay in various colors and pipe cleaners. You will need to choose clay colors for clothing and skin and eye and facial features. If you want hats or accessories, you would need to keep that in mind.
How To: Make a retro ray gun prop for film or costumes
It's funny how unevenly the real world keeps pace with science fiction. Smartphones have capabilities that Gene Roddenberry never imagine a portable device could have, but guns still use tiny powder cartridges to launch hunks of metal at things. The phasers, ray guns, and blasters of Star Wars, Star Trek, and other sci-fi works have yet to appear. Don't let that hold you back! This video will show you how to make a cool retro ray gun prop that you can use with a Halloween costume or in a film...
How To: Make fake bruises for film or Halloween
Bruises may not be as gory or extreme as the gashes and slashes from some of the other fake-wound videos on the site, but they are an important part of the fake-injury world. I a brick falls on you, what you are going to have isn't a cut, but a very nasty bruise! This video will teach you how to make a realistic fake bruise on your arm out of makeup, which should be handy for you next film.
How To: Use an external monitor with a camcorder
In this video from lunawebs we learn how to use an external monitor with a camcorder. The best way is to use an HDTV and use your HDMI output on the TV. The sound can also come through the monitor if you have a headphone port on the monitor. If you want to go outdoors, it will be more of a challenge. If you do not have an HDMI out on your camera, there is a component you can use. Composite AV outs are cheaper when it comes to monitors and camcorders. If you have a composite monitor, assign th...
How To: Change lenses on a camcorder
Make sure you have the appropriate lens for your digital camera. Look for markers on the lens that correspond with any mark on the camera body. Different brands have different markers. Some have square dots while some have red dots. Line these marks In one hand, hold your camera body firmly pointing to you. While holding it, push the lens button. Firmly hold the bottom of the lens (where the lens meets the camera body), and twist. Some cameras let you twist clockwise, others counterclockwise....
How To: Build your own functional boom microphone
Joe Richardson, Five Sprockets consultant, demonstrates how to build your own functional boom microphone. First, if you don't already have one, get a microphone from your local electronics store. Then, pick up a mic holder. Next, you'll also need a telescoping pole like a painter's pole. You'll also need zip ties and metal bonding glue. A piece of fake fur from a fabric store will act as a wind sock to cut down on noise. Attach the mic head to the painter's pole with the metal bonding glue. N...
How To: Key out a green screen background in Final Cut Pro
Let FiveSprockets help you get rid of the green screen effect in your videos and add great backgrounds to your movies at home! By using the Final Cut Pro program, follow along as you set your green screen clip in the display. From there you select the Effects, then Video Filter and follow it down into the Key menu. Grab the eyedropper and select the green color and make it fade away with just a few simple clicks. You can crop out any areas that didn't fade away, or use the softening tool to f...
How To: Understand circular polarizing lenses in RealD 3D
This video explains the difference between polarizing lenses used in conventional 3d (linear) and those used in RealD 3d (circular). Circular polarizing lenses enable you to move your head without changing the 3d effect. This tutorial also demonstrates the need for a silver screen or optimal 3d viewing.
How To: Make an Eragon sword out of wood
Ethan of Dead Fish Tutorials demonstrates how to make a sword from "Eragon." Eragon was given his sword Zar'roc by the wise Brom. All you need to have Zar'roc for yourself are some sticks you find in the woods, a bit of spraypaint and other cheap supplies, and a lot of geeky gumption.
How To: Make a breakable baseball bat movie prop
There are plenty of films out there with baseball bats, but if you want your bat to explode on impact, you'll have to make it yourself. A smashable baseball bat is perfect for any gangster flick or sports movie. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a breakable baseball bat movie prop.
How To: Make a movie prop grenade
A grenade is the best way to make your indie action war flick more realistic, but anyway you try it, it's not going to be completely "realistic". You need a prop grenade, and you can eerily make it yourself out of cheap household materials. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a movie prop grenade.
How To: Make a fake movie prop brick
A fake brick is a great movie prop for any action film. You can break through brick walls, smash a brick in two, or throw a brick at someone without being charged with murder. The majority of this fake brick is made of foam. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a fake movie prop brick.
How To: Simulate a dolly shot with just a camera tripod
brusspup has tons of ingenious tips and tricks for everybody! In this video tutorial, he shows you how to simulate a dolly shot with just a camera tripod.
How To: Make your own Masked Magician mask
Make a Magician's Mask Have you ever heard of the Masked Magician? With the television series Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed, the so-called Masked Magician (Val Valentino) revealed secret after secret of the magicians repertoire. Valentino creates “the magic” then proceeds to reveal the reality of the illusions before a captivated television audience.
How To: Make the quick-draw sleeve gun from "Taxi Driver"
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to make the quick-draw sleeve gun from "Taxi Driver".
How To: Add sound effects to a filmed neck snapping
See how to snap a person's neck for a film effect, complete with sound. This requires just two easy steps. First, get some peanuts. Second, synchronize the head movement to you crushing the peanuts into the microphone. Snapping a neck on camera is nothing as long as you have those peanuts and are careful... very, very careful not to snap the neck for real. This neck snapping is a great cinematic trick for the seasoned amateur filmmaker.
How To: Slate a film, read a line script and keep a shot log
If you have ever wondered about the functionality of slating during a film shoot, what a shooting script or line script is and how to keep a shot log, then this may be the perfect video tutorial for you, in two parts.
How To: Make an organization xiii coat for Cosplay
Check out this tutorial video sequence to learn how to make a Kingdom Heart's 2 Organization 13 Coat for Cosplay! In part 1, you will learn how to make the front part of the coat. Then, when you start sewing, you have to make sure that the outside of the coat is on the inside and to start sewing the shoulders first. This is one way of making Axel and Saix coats for Cosplay. This video was filmed in the hopes of helping people who are struggling to make an Organization XIII Coat. Watch these i...
How To: Build cheap prop tombstones for Halloween or effects
Follow along with Dr Kreepy in this quick video tutorial on how to do cheap and easy tombstones for your home haunt. You will need a marker, a hobby knife or X-acto knife, a hacksaw, an electric rotary tool, black acrylic paint, black spray paint, white paint, a spray bottle full of water, a paintbrush, and foam board. Watch this video special effects tutorial and learn how to make a cheap prop tombstone for a Halloween decoration or a film prop.
How To: Make a Suzumiya Haruhi skirt for cosplaying
Watch this step by step costume making guide on how to make a Suzumiya Haruhi skirt for cosplaying. This tutorial is great for anime enthusiasts, designers, and do it yourself fashion aficionados. Learn the necessary steps of designing a Suzimiya Haruhi skirt for cosplaying.
How To: Make an armature out of clay and foil for stopmotion
This video demonstration series shows the process of creating an armature for stop motion animation, claymation specifically, out of aluminum foil and polymer clay. Armatures need to be flexible to withstand the positioning and repositioning required to make stop motion animation, but still secure enough so that the material won't break. For this reason, a tin foil skeleton provides a sound structure to the clay armature. Watch this video animation tutorial and learn how to sculpt an armature...
How To: Make folding wings for a cosplay costume
DISCLAIMER: You could get hurt doing this. There's scars to prove it. This five-part video tutorial is on how to make folding, feathered wings for a Van Fanel cosplay costume. So if you're a fan of anime or manga, and you love cosplay, why not try and make this cool wings? Just be careful of those feathers. This is an art, not a science, need I remind you?
How To: Boffer sword fight with duel wielding
Duel boffer sword wielding! It's twice as defensive, twice as offensive, and twice as aggressive.
How To: Make a level three foam boffer sword for LARPing
If you're a LARP maniac, or just a fan of LSD-themed (Latter-day Saint) games and activities, then you can't miss out on this. Check this video out to learn how to make a foam-padded sword that is easy and inexpensive. This level three boffer sword will take care of your LARPing opponents like Chuck Norris. If you're a fan of live action role-playing, then this boffer sword is the best of the best for kicking serious ass.
How To: Give yourself a black eye using just a newspaper
In general, no one actually WANTS a black eye. But if you're filming a movie, in a play, or just want to freak out your mom and dad or friends, it's nice to know how to "put on" a fake one.