Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Apply latex ear tips to make yourself look like an elf, alien or faerie
Ear tips are a versatile part of any science fiction or fantasy costume - make yourself look like a Vulcan, elf, fae or any other creature with pointed ears. Not only are you shown how to attach the ears, you can make blend in with the skin of the wearer to look as natural as possible.
How To: Make a Renaissance or medieval style peasant blouse
This tutorial shows you how to make a Renaissance or medieval costume blouse. You will need a sewing machine and about a yard and a half of fabric. You don't need a pattern, just one of your own shirts to use as a fitting guide.
How To: Make Spartan style armor out of Sintra
This tutorial series shows you how to use Sintra (a type of PVC plastic that bends under heat) to make a piece of Spartan-style leg armor. This focues on making a shin guard, but you can use this method for any piece of armor you want to make.
How To: Lace up a corset on somene else
Corsets can be a fun and sexy addition to any costume or outfit, but how can you make sure it looks its best on you? This tutorial shows you how you can lace someone into a corset comfortably and elegeantly.
How To: Lace your corset up by yourself
Don't have a corset buddy to help get you into your corset? You can do it yourself! This video shows you how to place your corset properly on the body and then pull on the laces in the right way to get your corset on snugly and properly.
How To: Submit an audition video to Playboy
Sexy Playboy Cyber Girl Dana Dicillo has some advice for you in making your audition video for Holly's 55th Anniversary Playmate Search reality show. If you ever wanted to be in Playboy, you need to watch this.
How To: Create professional movie your are shooting with only two shop lights
Lighting a movie can be dramatically expensive and complex, but for the DIY filmmaker on a budget this can be a major handicap. In this video you'll learn how to create a serviceable lighting setup for your filming using only $25 worth of shop lights and 200w bulbs.
How To: Make a Kiki's Delivery Service Witch costume for Halloween or cosplay
Kiki's Delivery Service is one of Japanese anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki's most beloved films and Kiki among his strongest protagonists. If you love Kiki and want to be her for Halloween or a cosplay event, watch this video to learn how to put together an easy but good Kiki costume.
How To: Make the red sash for an Altair from Assassin' Creed costume
Altair from Assassin's Creed is an incredibly stylish and well-realized character, which makes him a perfect costume choice for Halloween or a cosplay convention. Watch this video to learn how to sew the red sash for an Altair costume quickly and easily.
How To: Make the upper tunic for an Altair from Assassin' Creed costume
If you love Assassin's Creed and know how to sew, you've come to the right place. This video features a Dutch costumer explaining how to make the upper tunic for an Altair from Assassin's Creed costume. Not for those who cannot sew, this is a hardcore costume. Also, watch this video on making the template for the tunic before you start.
How To: Get perfect exposure in your photographs and cinematography
When making your film, you want to make sure that the cameras that you're using, and the pictures and footage that you're taking, have the right exposure. Exposure can make or break your film as far as quality of the footage being presented! In this video you will get a tutorial on how to get the perfect exposure for your footage!
How To: Create a perfectly aligned tri-laser effect for your predator mask
Going for a Predator outfit for Halloween or as a cameo in your film, you want to try to get as close to the real thing as possible. In this video you will learn how to perfectly align LED lights to create the targeting lights that the predator uses for its canon with a quick tutorial!
How To: Closed shirt bind your chest to cosplay or dress up like a male character
If you're looking to mix it up at your next cosplay or going out for Halloween and want to dress as a male character and get the look right, one method you can use is closed shirt binding. In this video, you will learn how to use a sports bra, a compression shirt, and more to get the look!
How To: Make a human form Midna costume from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
If you're a Zelda fan and are looking to do something different for your cosplay, or Halloween outfit, then there's a chance that you haven't tried being Midna in her human form after you complete the game Twilight Princess after reassembling the mirror. In this video you will get a full tutorial on how to create the costume from scratch including making the headpiece and trinkets yourself!
How To: Make your own Sally Jupiter costume from the original Watchmen (The Minutemen)
For all the massive comic book geeks out there (be proud!) some of you may be very familiar with Sally Jupiter from the amazing Alan Moore graphic novel, The Watchmen. For those who watched the movie, that counts too. If you're looking to recreate her old costume from her time with The Minutemen, check out this three part video series! In it you will get a full tutorial on how to create every aspect of the costume on the cheap as well as sowing the dress and more!
How To: Make an awesome Predator costume with mask
The Predator is a classic Sci-Fi and horror film monster, and quite possibly one of the coolest. (There will be no debating Aliens vs. Predator in these comments! :) ) If you're looking to make a costume for your indie film, or for going out for Halloween, check out this awesome video on how to make a very convincing looking Predator costume on the cheap!
How To: Make easy fake wounds for Halloween or film
Making fake wounds is an art form, and this girl is, if not a master, at least a very accomplished journeywoman. In this video she teaches us how to create a realistic-looking fake wound using only liquid latex, facepaint, and other simple materials. The end result is creepy and gross, and will make a perfect addition to your next Halloween costume or hot date.
How To: Do the makeup for a female Link from Zelda costume
Link, the hero of the Zelda video games, is a great costume choice for men or women. He's kind of androgynous. In this video you'll learn how to do perfect Link makeup as a girl as part of an overall amazing Link costume for Halloween or cosplay.
How To: Knife someone in the face with film effects & tricks
In this tutorial, we learn how to knife someone in the face with film effects & tricks. This effect is mostly done in the camera and not in computer software. First, get two identical knives and a hat you don't mind ruining. Then, remove the blade from one of the knives and fix it to the hat. Once you have the knife set up, put your actors in place. When you do this part, use caution to make sure you don't throw the knife at anyone. Throw this into the air, then take the shot to the person wi...
How To: Make day into night & create giants with film tricks
In this video, we learn how to make day into night & create giants with film tricks. When doing this, make sure you don't show the sky because it will be a dead give away. First, set the correct exposure and make it indoors so it's blue. Then, the shutter should be set around four and there should be clouds in the sun. Add some blue and saturate as much as you can. When you shoot, you will get the darkness that you need. If you want to show that it's still daytime and almost night, then make ...
How To: Build a $30 steadycam
In this video we learn how to build a $30 steadycam. Making this yourself will save you thousands of dollars and allow you to get smooth shots with your camera! First, you will need to take a round free weight that is used in the gym. After this, grab a pipe and stick it into the middle of this, making sure it's a tight fit. From here, attach another pipe to it using bolts to screw it together. Once you're finished, you can attach your cam to it and use it to take your shots whether they are ...
How To: Make a Necronomicon prop from the "Evil Dead" series
In this video, we learn how to make a Necronomicon prop from the "Evil Dead" series. First, gather all of your materials together so you can make this prop. After this, cut up piece of cardboard into the desired shape, then tape them and make sure it's able to open and close. Next, you will use tape to make it look like creases in the skin and create the face by rolling it together. Use masking tape to connect these and make it look like it's all part of the same skin. Next, mix red, yellow, ...
How To: Get your heart torn out with film effects
In this video we learn how to get your heart torn out with film effects. First, go to the butcher's section of your market and find a gross piece of meat. Then, cut a hole in your shirt and grab some fake plastic blood. Soak the meat in the blood and then place it into the shirt. Have one of your actors push their hand into the shirt and act like they are tearing a heart out. After you do this, have the other actor act like they are in severe pain. This will finish our your heart torn out fil...
How To: Make your own cheap camera dolly
In this video we learn how to make your own cheap camera dolly. First, place down two PVC pipes and place a board on top of that. Then, you can place the tripod on top of that. You can use this to take shots where the camera is sliding from one position to the next but you want to avoid shake from someone handling the camera. Make sure to glue wheels and a track to the board that you place on top of the pipe and it will travel along them more easily. Enjoy using this and have fun making diffe...
How To: Make a home made battle axe and pole axe out of cardboard for your cosplay
Looking to hit up DragonCon, GenCon, ComicCon, or any other sort of con and want to dress up? Well, if you're going as your favorite Dungeons and Dragons character (there's others, but this one was first to mind) and that character happens to use an axe, there's a cheap way to make your own with a broom handle, some cardboard, spray paint and time! In this video you will learn how to construct a battle axe, a pole axe AND a war axe, pretty cool right?
How To: Build a DIY wooden camera dolly with PVC railing system
If you need a dolly for your movie masterpiece, you don't need to go with a professional dolly system. You can save that money for your expensive actors and actresses by building your own DIY camera dolly on the cheap. You'll need some nuts and bolts, PVC pipes, scrap wood, drill bits and a drill, inline wheels and a hammer. This homemade camera dolly will cost you around 65 bucks.
How To: Make a really awesome Predator costume for Halloween or a costume party
The Predator might be the most badass alien ever depicted on film. If you want to embody these formidable lone hunters on Halloween or in a film, watch this video to learn how to make a really sweet DIY predator costume that requires only three costume pieces, with the rest filled in by you/
How To: Make two different types of lightsaber props out of hardware store parts
There are a lot of different kinds of lighsabers in the Star Wars films. Almost every character who has one has a different one. Thus, there are many different ways to make a replica lightsaber for Halloween or as a prop. Watch this video to learn how to use two different designs to make your own lightsaber prop out of hardware store materials for about $15.
How To: Get high-quality sound on the Canon 5D with a recorder and passive attenuator
The Canon 5D is a wonderful camera for shooting HD video footage, but one thing it isn't great at— sound. In order to get great quality audio, you're going to have to use an external sound recorder. If you want professional grade sound, you have to use professional equipment. You need to make sure your sound recorder has a sampling rate of 96 KHz at 16 bit resolution or better.
How To: Build a low-cost killer graphics & multimedia workstation for HD video editing
Everything's going HD these days, even blockbuster movies. So, make sure your editing system is up to date, because working with high-definition video footage is a pain if you don't have the right equipment. This video will show you how you can build the ultimate graphics and multimedia workstation with blazing performance for real-time HD video editing. Use a Nvidia Quadro FX4800 card with 192 cores and you're set!
How To: Shoot low angle moving shots from ground level with a video camera
Low angle shots are a great way to evoke a sense of panic in movies, but if you're trying to get good quality shots from ground level with just your hands, then it's not going to work. The video footage will be all shaky, unless that's another look you're wanting to achieve in your film. If you want steady, fast-tracking low angle footage, then Ritwika has a great trick on taking those ground level moving camera shots. You'll need a monopod, water bottle (with water), 2 rubber bands and your ...
How To: Customize white balance & temperature for perfectly colored photos & videos
Has white balance always been a problem in your photographs? Getting the perfect color in your photos is tricky business, even on digital cameras. This video will give you the ultimate information on customizing the white balance and color temperature for your film, video footage and pictures. Ritwika teaches how to obtain accurate color balance using various custom white balance techniques.
How To: Apply injury makeup with Emmy winner Brad Look
In this tutorial, we learn how to apply injury makeup with Emmy winner Brad Look. First, clean the area with water, then use glue and powder to apply the surface of the injury. After this, use more makeup to cover up the piece on the skin and blend the edges into the skin so they mix in completely. In the middle, add in some reds, purples, and blacks to create a realistic looking injury. Make sure there are textures and highlights on the would to make it look more real. Make the injury radiat...
How To: Create fake blood effects
In this tutorial, we learn how to create fake blood effects. The easiest blood formula is to use soap and red food coloring, nothing else. It's the easiest blood to make and looks more realistic than anything else. You can also make blood out of different things if you want to make a more expensive version. Make sure you always add in red food coloring and make it dark to match the color of real blood. The liquid should flow so it looks like real blood. To create blood splatter, you will take...
How To: Make a prosthetic glasgow smile like the Joker in Batman
In this video, we learn how to make a prosthetic Glasgow smile like the joker. First, smooth the material onto the face and around the lips. Follow the shape of the lips for the sides of the mouth to make it look larger. Use a Q-tip to push on the prosthetic onto the face. Once this is attached, you can add in the color to the lips to make it look more realistic. Makeup will need to be added to the entire face. White should be on the face, black should be around the eyes. Go for a cracked and...
How To: Apply injury makeup with Oscar winner Bill Corso
In this video, Bill Corso teaches us how to apply injury makeup. This can make it look like you are hurt, but it's really just makeup you are using to create the look! Using red and brown together can give a more realistic look of blood, blending it out through the entire cut. Using different colors on the injury can add a more realistic look to where the injury is. Work with the different features on the face to create the best look you can. Pay attention to the sweat on the body as well, be...
How To: Create floating objects and razorblade props
In this tutorial, we learn how to create floating objects and razorblade props. First off, take your object and some double sided tape. Then, place the tape on the object to make it look invisible. After this, tape it to the middle of the plexi-glass. Have someone else help you move this, and then when you record it on video it will look like the object is moving around in the air without anything holding it. This is a great effect that looks even better on video! To create the razorblade pro...
How To: Create stop motion light painting for animation
In this tutorial, we learn how to create stop motion light painting for animation
How To: Splatter blood & make a muzzle flash in film
In this tutorial, we learn how to splatter blood & make a muzzle flash in film. First, you will need to grab a starter pistol for anywhere on the internet. Then, take a shot of your shooting the gun and someone else pretending like they are taking the bullet. Then, load this clip into the software you use and place a light coming from the end of the gun to make it look realistic. When you are finished fixing the lighting with this, you can edit and then you will have a finished product! Save ...
How To: Create great gore, mutilation and blood with makeup
In this tutorial, we learn how to create great gore, mutilation and blood with makeup. Using makeup can make you look like a completely different person, and this includes making something gross! Using pumpkins to blow up can look just like someone getting hurt and their body parts coming out, it has the right sound as well. Gasoline and firecrackers are also used to help make the sound of something bad happening in a movie! Using gelatin on the face can create a makeup look that gives a real...