Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Make movie prop fake blood
This tutorial video will show you how to make fake blood that looks great as a movie prop, or a Halloween costume. This is a great video for amateur film makers and costume enthusiasts alike.
How To: Make fake break bottles for a film effect
Backyard FX show host Eric has an awesome new tutorial for all you aspiring film makers. He is going to teach you how to make your own fake glass bottles out of household products such as sugar, corn syrup and cream of tartar. This is generally for scenes where a glass bottle needs to be broken over an actor's head. This method is incredibly safe and won't cost very much to make either. Be sure to follow his tutorial closely because you may be forced to have to start over again if you skip a ...
How To: Apply Terminator (the movie) arm makeup
Want to look like the terminator for Halloween or have an upcoming costume party? Learn the easy steps to get the look of the terminator with the easy to follow instructions to applying arm makeup to your arm to get the terminator look. With a couple of simple materials and makeup you will easily get that robotic look. The easy to follow steps demonstrated in this video will allow you to follow along and complete your look and make it more authentic with these makeup tricks.
HowTo: Lady Gaga Video Glasses
Instructables member Angela M. Sheehan demonstrates how to make a seamless pair of Lady Gaga video glasses.
News: T-Shirt War (Stop Motion Style)
This clever stop motion film by comedy duo Rhet and Link uses 222 t-shirts and few special effects. To learn more about the process, check out the second video in the gallery below.
HowTo: Bake With Photoshop
As a slightly belated birthday tribute to Photoshop (Photoshop turned 20 this past Friday), here is a clever stop animation short honoring the software.
HowTo: Shoot Your Own 3D Movie for $250
Make your own 3D movie with this easy camera hack: record with two cameras simultaneously. Next, use video software to overlap the images, making it viewable through 3D glasses. Very clever (and cheap) concept by Ron and AmyJo Proctor. Check out their site for more details.
How To: Install and use the Zacuto Universal Baseplate
Zacuto Universal Baseplate V3, includes 12-inch rods and works with all cameras. Zacuto's Universal Baseplate allows mounting accessories off the front and the back of the rods. Our new version 3 Universal Baseplate is 22% lighter then Version 1 or 2. The baseplate measurements (excluding rods) are 7 x 4 x 1 ½
How To: Make miniature moustache from recycled plastic
This week, Christine and Bre Pettis break it on down and show us how to use #6 plastic to create miniature mustaches! She's made a bunch of these in the past. They are awesome for people who need a moustache on the go.
How To: Make a cheap Dutch Roll camera effect
Maybe you've never heard of the Dutch Roll camera effect, but you've seen it in movies whenever a character is delirious and the camera starts spinning crazily end over need. In this tutorial you'll learn how to set up a cheap version of the effect with a plain old hand drill. Now you can give your audiences vertigo just like the pros do!
How To: Properly light a green screen and create the illusion
Ever wonder how to create movie magic right in your own home? This video shows you step by step everything you need to know and do to create the green screen effect, from properly setting up your green screen, to lighting it, as well as your subjects for a successful effect. Filled with tips and instructions this is a great video to watch for filmmakers, and special effects artist of all kinds.
How To: Solve outdoor lighting problems
Installing security lights outside of your home can make for a great addition, but they also create new problems with regards to maintenance and cleaning. Having lights outside exposes them to all of the elements that mother nature can throw at them. This video will show not only how to install security lights, it will also show the proper measures to take so they will keep working with minimal maintenance and care.
How To: Shoot good handheld video
This tutorial shows you how to make a professional looking video. Specifically: panning, tilting, zolly effect, dynamic dutch angle, and proper handheld technique.
How To: Prevent indoor lighting problems
Prevent indoor lighting problems with these great tips. -When a window is behind the object, bring lights closer to object or use a reflector using the light from the window to create a 3 point lighting effect.
How To: Use lighting for video
Videomaker Associate Editor Tom Skowronski explains how four basic steps can be used to improve the lighting effects for a video and give it a more professional look.
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 a moving gif from Myspace using GifNinja
The first thing you have to do make a movie is to click on Start and go to windows Movie Maker. And then click on Import media to edit the video which you want. And then drag the selected video to Time line at the bottom. If you want to make your movie for less than a five seconds or so click on the Trim and drag it to your left hand side. When your done with that click on file menu and click on publish movie. You can name your file and can also choose the destination you want and then click ...
How To: Use 3 point lighting to light your videos like pros
Three point lighting is the key to MAKING videos look professional. Tom Skowronski, the associate editor of Videomaker, guides us through the process of three point lighting. Three point lighting involves the use of three types of light to create a professional appearance when video taping. First, a key light is used to provide bright illumination of the subject. Then, a fill light cleans up the dark areas on the face. Lastly, a backlight fills serves to separate the subject from the background.
How To: Use a green screen
This video shows how to properly set up a green screen, to set up the screen we are taking into account this four factors:
How To: Use a tripod to stabilize your shots
Tom Skowronski, an editor for VideoMaker, teaches us how to use a tripod to capture video and take photographs. The great thing about this video series is that it covers everything you need to know.
How To: Shoot a fight scene
Tells you how to make a fighting scene by using three steps which are -continuity
How To: Make Deuce's mask from Hollywood Undead
Big fan of Duece from Hollywood Undead? In this tutorial, learn how to make his mask, DIY style, with step by step instructions. In order to complete this project, you will need: pink duct tape, a blank hockey mask, blue spray paint, a knife or razor blade
News: Use an Old Kitchen Timer For Panning Time Lapse Video
Clever little cinematography hack. Flickr user rtadlock mods an old kitchen timer into a panning timelapse motor controller.
How To: Make an Evil Dead chainsaw arm
Do you love the "Evil Dead" series? Do you need a prop chainsaw so you can dress like Ash? Do you have $30 burning a hole in your pocket? Erik from Indy Mogul shows you how to make a bloody prop chainsaw arm just like Bruce Campbell's in the movie.
How To: Create a movie cyborg
Planning on shooting a low budget sci fi flick? The guys at Indy Mogul teach you how to make a cyborg arm and eye patch using a PVC coupler, coin tray, thin orange tubing, blue flash controllers, silver bubble wrap, duct tape, a rolodex, and costume jewelry.
Behind the Scenes: Animatronic Guts
Animatronics: the use of electronics and robotics in mechanized puppets to simulate life, mainly used in moviemaking, but also in theme parks and other forms of entertainment. (wikipedia)
Hack Ikea: $15 Camera Dolly
Ikea Hacker features a nice Ikea mod: Romain turns the Ivar side unit into a camera dolly. "A few days ago, I found out that the Ivar 'wooden ladder' was perfect to use it as rails for my cinema dolly! I can now make some nice sequence shots with this 18€ accessory from Ikea."
How To: Use makeup for flawless cosplay skin
This is a video tutorial made to help out all those cosplayers on how to achieve that flawless photoshopped looking skin by just using makeup. This was originally made to help out guys who are pretty new to makeup, but need to learn it for photo or cosplay purposes. So find your favorite anime or manga character and cosplay with a costume, a wig, and some flawless skin.
How To: Sell a screenplay
Attention aspiring screenwriters! In this tutorial, learn how to sell that script. You may have written the next Hollywood blockbuster – but unless you can finance the film yourself, you’ll need to sell the screenplay to a producer who can make it come to life.
How To: Create a stop-motion Lego fire
Add some flames to your brickfilms! A little fire always helps light up a scene, especially in your legomation creation. Check out this video tutorial to learn how to create a stop-motion Lego fire. This Lego animation technique will show you how to start the fire and keep the fire going. It's perfect for your next brick film masterpiece.
News: Um, Are Those Kids On Fire?
Just a normal day in the life of the Dunn family. Seasoned stunt professionals Jim and Celia Dunn have appeared in Hollywood films such as Poltergeist , Scary Movie, X-Men II, Shanghi Noon and Jumangi. Their children, Connor, 15, Ali, 11, and Austin, 9, boast impressive IMDB resumes as well.
How To: Make a voodoo love doll
Although very strange, after watching this video, you'll know how to make your very own voodoo love doll!
How To: Keep a mic stand neat and safe
Keep your sound and electronics gear in order! Safety and neatness are everything. Check out this video tutorial from the Good Idea Guys at Good Buy Guys to learn how to keep a mic stand neat and safe. Mic Stand Mike demonstrates how to keep your microphone stands and cables neat and organized on stage. A great helpful tip for cable safety.
How To: Tape down a cable correctly
Make sure your electronics gear stays in order! And make sure your running wires are safe. Check out this video tutorial from the Good Idea Guys at Good Buy Guys to learn how to tape down a cable correctly. Keep those microphone cables, audio cables, and extension cords secure and safely underfoot. Tape Tex shows you how in "How to Tape Down a Cable". A great helpful tip for cable safety.
How To: Coil a cable correctly
Get your electronics gear in order! Keep those wires folded correctly, for easy use later. Check out this video tutorial from the Good Idea Guys at Good Buy Guys to learn how to coil a cable correctly. Extension Cord Elmo shows the correct way to keep your microphone cables, audio cables, and extension cords neatly coiled in "How to Coil a Cable". A great helpful tip for cable storage.
How To: The HowTo Behind Avatar
There's a HowTo behind everything, including the astounding, just released 3-D Avatar. Reviews across the board agree with one thing: the film is visually breathtaking. PopSci explains the technology behind the filmmaking.
How To: Make claymation
There's something magical about stop-motion animation made with clay, it's an ideal medium for depicting strange transformations. In this short tutorial you'll learn how to make a simple claymation movie of your own. The video introduces you to some of the materials you'll need, shows you a little about animating and takes you through some of the steps to upload your animation onto your computer for editing.
How To: Assemble the Kessler KC-Lite Camera Crane
Kessler's flagship camera crane is the KC-8 Basic, and the KC-Lite 8.0 offers a stripped down, easier to manage version. In this tutorial you'll learn how to put together the KC-Lite crane, and you'll also get a quick demonstration of the crane in action.
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: Build a cheap DIY follow focus for your Canon 5D Mark
In this very basic but informative tutorial, you'll learn how to build a follow focus for your Canon 5D Mark. This method has the virtue of being very cheap, using just a clamp, nuts and bolts, a bit of wire, a rubber band and some shrink wrap. But used well, you can probably achieve some fairly professional looking results with this rig.