Film & Theater: Page 13

In this episode of the popular web series Systm, you'll learn how to make your very own lightsaber prop from the "Star Wars" movies. Many of the components are surprisingly simple - old flashlights, windshield wiper blades, etc. But when you them together, you can have an effective prop for a lot less than you'd pay for a reproduction.

In this tutorial you'll learn how to make a cardboard shield, quickly and cheaply. All you need is some stuff you've probably already got around the house. Get to work, so you'll be ready to defend yourself against any barbarian invaders with cardboard swords!

Having trouble with your green screen? You may not have it lit right, or it may not be secured properly, or you might not be using your editing software right when using chroma key. If you want to learn a few tips on how to fix a bad green screen, this is the place. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to improve your green screen skills.

Remember the Rocketeer? The rocket jet pack that he wore? Jet packs are the coolest sci-fi props that haven't been perfected in "real life" yet. Almost, but not quite. For now, film rocket belts or rocket packs will do. Like in the Bond flick "Thunderball" and in the Star Wars movies "Attack of the Clones" and "Return of the Jedi". It's even in "Fahrenheit 451" and "Minority Report". But your homemade DIY jet pack might be the best of all. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build...

Bring a little bit of super technology into your indie film with a prop robot dog. This is not a real robot dog, but a fake robot dog made from foam core poster board and a few other household materials. Think Lost in Space and The Jetson, only the robot is a dog. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a robot dog prop with poster board.

Home security is as important as having a job. You have to protect your family and your valuables. If you can't afford a high tech security system, then maybe a fake security camera will do the trick. This security camera dud is also a cheap alternative for a film prop. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a fake cardboard security camera.

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.

Dynamite your way to movie success with an explosive bomb. A fake explosive bomb, of course. TNT on a timer is a great movie effect for you action flick. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a prop movie bomb.

An RPG is a rocket propelled grenade, which is a common tool for enemy combatants in Iraq these days. If you need to have an RPG for your action war movie, then it's best to build your own prop one, since RPG's aren't exactly legal. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a prop RPG.

If you own Sony Vegas, a good editing technique to learn is tracking motion. Track motion is the ability to rotate, scale, and skew an object in 3D perspective. This is great for making intros, titles, animated pictures in your homemade videos and much, much more. See how to track motion in Sony Vegas Pro 9. These are the basics.

Whether you use shadow puppets or marionettes, put on a fanciful puppet show with these tips.

Although very strange, after watching this video, you'll know how to make your very own voodoo love doll!

Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding film lighting.

Make a splash at your next masquerade party with this purr-fect black cat costume.You Will Need* A six-inch by six-inch square of cardboard* 2/3-yard of black felt* Glue* A black headband* A long black stocking* A large safety pin* A black turtleneck* Black leggings* Black shoes* Black eyeliner pencil* Two black socks

Whether for a boy or a girl, a Pilgrim costume is one of the easiest costumes to make.You Will Need* A basic black outfit* Black shoes* Thick white knee socks* Several yards of white fabric or felt* Scissors* Needle and thread, or a glue gun* A white half-apron* Four large gold buckles* A top hat* A plain black belt* A 36-inch white shoelace

Scary Jerry shows you how to improve your Halloween decorations this year with his static zombie Halloween prop. It's split up into two parts, so watch both to make sure you get all of the details on making this life-sized zombie prop.

Don't wait for a full moon to unleash your inner beast. Get your growl on with these tips on creating the ultimate werewolf mask.You Will Need* Petroleum jelly or lotion* A wig cap* Gauze suitable for plaster work* Plaster* Hot glue* A small sheet of craft foam, cut into 1-inch strips* A needle and thread* A spool of 1-inch-wide elastic* 3 feet of sturdy wire* Epoxy glue* Craft foam blocks* Scissors* Pliers* Paper clay* White and red polymer clay* Primer or sealer* Black, red, and white acrylic...

Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding sound recording.

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