Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Make your video transfer faster with solid state media
In this video from lunawebs they show you how to transfer video from your camera to your computer as quickly as possible. If you're using a camera with a mini DV tape there's not much you can do to speed it up. If you're on a memory card it can be done. Take your memory card and plug it directly into your computer if it has a slot. If it doesn't, you can buy a USB card reader and plug in your memory card into that, and then plug into your USB port. There's no time loss here and a USB reader i...
How To: Apply a wound with gel filled silicone & movie makeup
Cinema Makeup School instructor Greg McDougall goes through the steps your need to know in order to create a silicone wound on a student. He starts off by explaining the products needed in order to get the best results. Greg then proceeds to apply and explain how to place a prosthetic piece on your face and how to get it to blend into your skin color. After apply the prosthetic he begins to color in the wound to make it look more realistic. To finish off and get the best result you apply fake...
How To: Use lighting ratios for film and video shoots
This is an absolutely fundamental concept and is important to development as a filmmaker. It's a really simple pice of shorthand that cinematographers and gaffers use to keep track of lighting setups across different shooting days. It's called a lighting ratio or a contrast ratio.
How To: Create a camera tripod with a rubber band
There are a lot of ways to keep your camera from shaking. Most of these involve expensive devices known as tripods. If you're super stingy and don't want to spring from a tripod, this video tutorial will show you how to make one using only a rubber band. The method shown in this cinematography video is small, simple, and very effective for keeping your camera from shaking.
How To: Make ballistics gel
Do you need that special human touch to your special fx? Indy Mogul's Mike Johnson shows you how to make ballistics gels to create flesh and gore effects for your films.
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: Build scrolling credits in Final Cut and Photoshop CS3
In this video you will learn how to build scrolling credits in Final Cut and Photoshop CS3. He begins by showing you how to do it on Photoshop CS3. He does this by having his own finished credits and the steps you need to take to set up your own. Then, he moves on to Final Cut and drags his Photoshop credits into Final Cut. He explains how it may be off a little in size, but you can readjust everything for accuracy. This is all done through his computer and with vocals.
How To: Create a blood squirting "axe in the back" effect
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to create a blood squirting "axe in the back" effect, just like in Friday the 13th.
How To: Create your own functional green screen
This video tutorial show you how to make your own functional green screen to create special effects. If you try to isolate a subject on a film with a dynamic background there is a good chance to loose parts of the subjects during the process. By using a monochromatic background this can be prevented. For this you'll need large foam boards, bright green paint and a roller made for smooth surfaces. Spray painting doesn't work and results in a blotchy finish. Paint the boards evenly with the gre...
How To: Light an interior space while filming on a budget
In this video from FiveSprockets we learn how to light an interior space while filming on a budget. For this you need two Chinese lanterns which he found for $2.95 each. You need 2 light bulbs which he found for $3.95 each. Make sure you get extra ones. Then get a couple of pan lights. They are day light and mood light. They were $7 and $5. You also need a multi colored gel pack which is $6.00. He uses C-stands to hold the lights up but he suggests coming up with other ways if you don't have ...
How To: Project your voice on stage
Theater acting is a fun and creative art form but it can be difficult to project your voice loud enough for the audience to hear if you are use to speaking softly. With a few exercises and practice anyone can have a booming voice.
How To: Make your own camera dolly
If you’re into cinematography try creating your own dolly camera platform to get those seamless tracking shots. This is a fun project that will allow you to take your film to the next level, or at least get the shot you want.
How To: Use a green screen for a website spokesperson effect
Tom of Videomaker teaches how to use the green screen to make a character appear in front of a set or to achieve the website spokesperson effect. Install a green screen in such a way that the fold at the corner of the wall and the ground is instead curved in order to create an even transition from the top to the bottom of the green screen. Build the base at the bottom part of the screen by weighing down the fabric at the corners and stretch it evenly. Light the green screen separately from th...
How To: Make edible realistic fake blood
This video will show you how to make realistic edible fake blood. You will need the following: A tablespoon, container, red food color, a glass of water, syrup and flour. Mix three tablespoons of syrup, one tablespoon of food coloring and one tablespoon of water. Add one tablespoon of flour and mix well. You will end up with a very realistic looking edible fake blood.
How To: Use an outdoor green screen
Tom Skowronski teaches the secrets of using an outdoor green screen. An excellent summary is given below. First check the advantages of using green screen outdoor like a lot of space, sufficient light. In the same way check some disadvantages like noises from birds, children. For the screen materials you can use paper which is cheaper but it cannot be controlled if wind blow. You can also use a board or even paint a wall green which will be better. Now to set up the screen use the screen rods...
How To: Cut video transitions for action scenes
Associate editor Tom Skowronski of Videomaker demonstrates how to cut video transitions for action scenes. Create an illusion of continuity by keeping only key shots of continuous motion, while taking out aspects that slow the pacing of the video. Use the technique of 'cutting on the action' to transition from one video clip to another clip of the same action. Maintain screen direction between shots by making sure that any moving subject is always moving in the same direction on screen across...
News: Rubik's Puzzle-Head Is Super Freaky
This rubik's-style, puzzle head was created for a commercial for Drench, a British soft drink. How'd they do it?? 3D Studio Max? After Effects? Anybody know? Nonetheless, awesome special effect.
How To: Make plastic costume chainmail
Learn how to make plastic costume chain mail for all your LARPing and Halloween needs. 1 Purchase enough 12" silver binding coil from the displayed suppliers for your project. 2 Using needle nose pliers, cut the rings as shown in the video. Make sure that there is plenty of overlap so the rings will stay closed. 3 Flatten the edge of the cut rings with your pliers. 4 Start to combine the rings together using the European 4 in 1 weave pattern. 5 Build squares of chain mail following this patte...
How To: Prepare H.264 video footage for quick editing
This tutorial from LoadedNewsletter's Jonathan Jelkin gives a simple process on how to prepare H.264 video footage for quick editing. H.264 video footage is shot by popular cameras such as the Canon 5d/7d, Flip cam, GoProHD. This is a great format for straight upload to YouTube, but if you want to edit you need to transcode it to something else. The first step is to download and install a free program called MPEGSTREAMCLIP. Once it is installed you can process all of your files by loading the...
How To: Style a synthetic fiber wig with boiling water
One of the drawbacks of synthetic, as opposed to human hair, wigs is that they can be difficult to style. Fortunately, while hair irons may be a no-go for styling synthetic wigs, you can get great results by submerging your wig in a container of boiling water.
How To: Apply four styles of lighting
This video tutorial will show you how to apply four styles of lighting. This video teaches you how to apply four styles of lighting, namely Rembrandt, Beauty, Cameo and filling in from the Key Side. You will learn about high contrast lighting schemes, dealing with the amount of contrast used to highlight a person's face, as well as spotlight effects, and how these tend to draw the viewer into the scene. You will be shown how the Rembrandt Lighting setup contains three steps, namely taking a K...
How To: Paint a prosthetic wound
This video describes the coloring techniques to make a realistic gelatine prosthetic wound. The presenter chooses to use grease paint as it applies easily to the rubber gelatine wound mold. First, apply a base color to mimic that flesh tone around the wound and blend it until it matches the skin tone. Next the presenter applies red and pink tones to the wound, the idea is to mimic the color of raw meat. Highlights are then applied inside the wound to simulate fat underneath the top layer of s...
How To: Make fake blood like the pros
A tutorial and demonstration on how to make fake blood. Things you'll need: 8 tbsp. corn syrup, 1 tsp. red dye, 1 1/2 drops blue dye, 1 tsp. cocoa powder, 1/4 tsp. corn starch. Combine all the ingredients in an empty container. Mix well until everything is well incorporated. Make necessary adjustments to the ingredients if needed. Follow these steps and You'll be able to make a fake blood.
How To: Make your video look like film
In this video, Tom Skowron introduces the use of 24p and several important editing techniques. Using 24p can make your film projects look like genuine films. Another way to improve the appearance of your film is to adjust the shutter speed. You should set the shutter speed at twice that of the frame rate. This will decrease the level of motion blur and give the film a clean and crisp appearance. If you use 24p and adjust your shutter speed to the appropriate level, it will look like you spent...
How To: Make a good basic Youtube video
Rick teaches the secrets of making a good basic YouTube video in easy steps. Some tips are given below. When creating a YouTube video first assume that your audience has a 10 second attention time. If your introduction takes more than 10 second cut out the part while editing, keep it to 10 seconds only. The second tip is to go for a good lighting, always shoot indoors using your indoor lights itself. If you are using a microphone in the camera to record, always stay very close to the camera. ...
How To: Set up video interview lighting for multiple cameras
Interviewing lighting basic training tutorial provides easy to follow instruction in this step by step video. Set up the interview area to allow the best camera angles. Place your lights in key, fill, and backlight positions. Use back lighting spillover to fill subject area without camera spillover. Check your setup with the subjects and make any necessary adjustments to your camera or lighting angles. Place your crew and your ready for your interview. This scenario using key, fill, and back-...
How To: Composite video for inserting backgrounds in sets
The Video On Demand highlights how amazing backgrounds are inserted behind characters and will show you how to composite video so your characters can seamlessly move in front of these images. Computer generated video objects may be superimposed over a background video image so as to create the illusion of a single composite scene. The leading edge of an object is detected and for a period of time the object and background video signals are mixed. After that period, only the object video is tr...
My Father's Garden: Awe Inspiring Macro Footage
Amazing what you can get out of camcorder these days. "Discovering a whole tiny world in my father's small garden. There is a small pond with small falls, some stones, some plants, and plenty of life! Shot on Panasonic 500- Fujinon 17x7.6 HD lens."
How To: Shoot a stop-motion animated film
This video will show you how to make a stop motion film using an editing program called Windows Movie Maker. Find a place to film your stop motion movie. Preferably a well lit area where the light source is constant. Set your camera on a tripod and position at the angle you prefer. Place the object you want to use in your film outside of the camera's view, and take a picture. Move your object slightly into the camera's view and take another picture. Repeat this many times, until your object i...
How To: Use FX to shrink yourself into a miniature village
Rick Vanman reveals the secrets to professional video effects using your own computer software. Position your model houses into a setup of your liking. Take a picture of the houses with a digital camera using the macro setting. Edit your picture in Photoshop. Disguise any unwanted objects with the cloning tool. Separate the foreground and the background of the picture into 2 different layers. Film yourself in front of a green screen. Key out the green with your video editing software. Using y...
How To: Do advanced green screen tricks
Interested in learning how to do advanced green screen tricks to show a subject flying? After this tutorial, you'll be a pro. How to launch: Light the screen and the subject. Frame the subject so that you do not see their feet on the ground. Do this by cutting off the lower 1/3 of the subject. Sell the effect by using a fan from above. Add in a background which works with the flying that you are trying to achieve. How to fly: Have a prop that you can use for effect that can be cut out later (...
How To: Record live video direct from camcorder to computer
Bill Myers shows us how to record live video direct to your computer from your camcorder. You will need: long firewire cable, camcorder with firewire output, computer. Procedure: Connect one end of the firewire cable to your camcorder, then connect the other end to your computer. Start your video editing program. Turn the audio down on your speakers to avoid feedback. Turn your camcorder on then check the capture option in your screen. Record the video then hit the stop button when you're fin...
How To: Avoid the "5 Deadly Sins of Amateur Video"
Tom Skowronski teaches us how to shoot a good video. Look before shooting so you have a more controlled movement. Hold camera steady at all times. Move the subject in front of the camera and turn the camera mans back to the sun to illuminate the subject. . Give nose room for a more professional look. Have a full frame and no dead space to have a natural looking video. Cut off at head to have a full frame. Following Tom Showronski's video-making advice can lead to a professional-looking video....
How To: Make realistic custom vampire fangs
Clean out the empty bottle that you are going to use. You can use a white dish-washing soap bottle or a cleaning agent bottle. Just make sure it is empty and clean. Use the pen to draw a wide rectangle that measures 3 inches long by 1/4 inch wide onto the bottle. The teeth you are making are going to stretch from either side of your canine teeth above and over your two front teeth. This will help them be more secure. Draw this onto a part of the bottle where it is curved. Draw two vampire tee...
How To: Understand basic video tricks
Understand basic video tricks. A great way to prop up your camcorder when you don't have a tripod and you want a low angle shot from the ground is to use a rubber doorstop. It stays put and you can move it up and back to set the shot higher or lower.
News: Rockers 'OK Go' Deliver Another Viral Music Video- Rube Goldberg Style
With an impressive series of viral music videos to their name, it is no surprise that the latest video from indie rockers OK Go is another hit. The video is directed by James Frost, in collaboration with Syyn Labs, a collective of engineers that work on elaborate art projects. A huge Rube Goldberg machine was built in a warehouse, for a one-take video for the song This Too Shall Pass.
Apply special effects makeup: exposed knuckle injury
Whether you're an aspiring makeup artist or someone looking to gross out your friends on Halloween, learn how to apply a bloody injury to your hand. With makeup and product, achieve a fake exposed-knuckle injury to gross out even the strongest of stomachs! Most of the products used in this tutorial were purchased from Back Stage Shop.
News: Extreme Footage Captured with Simple Camera Hack
"Skimboarding in a Storm" displays some ultra cool camerawork, employing the relatively cheap and user friendly GoPro camera (also used in the clever Kitchen Timer Panning Time Lapse Hack).
How To: Protect cameras & stay organized while shooting video
Kipkay's ingenuity is enough to amaze us all, especially all of you indie filmmakers. These five tips for aspiring filmmakers will help you keep your sanity and avoid frustrating times. Have you ever got stuck in the rain while shooting? Have your recorder tapes ever gotten disorganized? Is your camera's display getting scratched up more than you want? Kipkay answers all of these questions with his five ingenious video tips.
How To: Create a prosthetic scar
We tend to sympathize with those who get hurt. Do you want some extra care and affection from somebody you love? Then here is one great idea to make anybody give you their shoulder to cry on. This video helps you to make a prosthetic scar on your leg. Create a gory looking bruise with modeling wax, liquid latex, skin color makeup and coagulated blood. For best and genuine scars, make the cut look real deep and oozing with blood. Show it to your friends and see the results for yourself.