Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Build a Star Wars Lightsaber (Infographic)
There are many ways to make a lightsaber. You can turn a flashlight into a steampunk lightsaber, you can make a lightsaber from junk, and you can make one that looks totally real (if you've got the money and time). Heck, you can even make one in Photoshop. And now you can make one using an infographic! Who doesn't like infographics? This infographic by Herbert Pocket, which may or may not have been inspired by this lightsaber infographic, will show you the quick route to making a Star Wars wo...
How To: Make a swimmable mermaid tail
Here is a step by step tutorial for making a swimmable mermaid tail. Check out Video #2 for a demonstration of the tail in use!
How To: Shoot a dolly zoom shot
The dolly zoom shot is also known as the Vertigo Effect in filming. It's that dizzying, slightly unstable camera effect you see in shows like "Glee" and sometimes "The Office." It creates audience confusion, thus forcing them to keep watching in interest.
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: Use a piece of developed film and a camera to see through clothes
The ability to see through clothing has been pursued by voyeurs for millenia, and today with the help of cheap video cameras we are closer than ever. This video will show you how to use a piece of blank developed film and IR to see through different types of shirts and other clothing. It also covers the effects of different colors and fabrics on the technique's effectiveness.
How To: Make a breakaway cardboard chair prop
A breakaway chair is one of the best pranks, or one of the easiest effects for your indie film project. A breakable chair can be made out of simple household items, and is very cheap. The biggest material needed is cardboard. So basically, you'll make a cardboard chair, that breaks. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a fake movie prop brick.
News: Bánh Mì, Vietnamese Sandwich Stop-Motion
This is not a how-to on making a bánh mi, but I hope it will get you interested in trying out the sandwich. It's delicious.
How To: Rotate a video clip using iMovie HD
This video shows us the method to rotate a video clip using iMovie HD. Go to iMoviePlugins and download Turn Clip from it. Also make sure you have iMovie HD installed. Now add the video clip to the timeline. Go to the editing tab and choose Video FX and CFX enhancements. Choose Turn Clip from the resulting window. Now set the rotation angle. This can be configured to 90 degrees or 180 degrees. Click on 'Apply' and the software will render the rotation on the timeline. When everything is done,...
How To: Balance and fly a Canon 5D Mark II on a Steadicam
One of the great innovations of Canon's DSLR technology is the relatively inexpensive ability it gives to any filmmaker to make professional quality video. This video is a great demonstration of a Glidecam and Steadicam mod designed to carry the Canon 5D Mark II and give any image a slick, professional look.
How To: Do your makeup, hair, and costume for a Masquerade party or Halloween
Masquerade parties are fun, classy, and sensual. Even if you don't know of any upcoming Masquerade parties, the Masquerade look works perfect for Halloween as well. In this video you'll learn how to do the hair, makeup, and costume for a great Masquerade look
How To: Wear the Same Top and Belt in Different Ways and Samydress Haul +Review
This is my first ever clothing haul video and I was so very excited about creating this video for sammydress - you might have heard of this company , who sent me this stuff for review purposes, hence the title "How to Wear the Same Top and Belt in Different Ways and Samydress Haul +Review "
How To: Sew a hooded cloak or cape without a pattern
This is a very thorough tutorial which shows you how to make a hooded cloak or cape without a pattern. All you need is five yards of your favorite fabric (pick something durable and sixty inches wide), then cut out some basic shapes and follow along the sewing tutorial
How To: Boffer sword fight with a spear and staff
Okay, you've mastered the boffer sword and the boffer sphere. Now what? Perhaps a boffer staff?
How To: Boffer sword fight with speed tactics
The Knights of Gray brings you this video tutorial on how to boffer sword fight with speed tactics. Yes, that means being super fast for LARPing. Live action role-playing doesn't get much better than this.
How To: Make the under tunic for an Altair from Assassin's Creed costume
Altair is one of the sexiest video games characters your could be this Halloween or at your next cosplay convention. The Dutchman who made this video clearly is devoted to the character, and in this video you'll learn how to make a perfect Altair under tunic for your costume. Watch this video before you start to learn how to make the template.
News: Larger Than Life Down's Syndrome PSA Uplifts Us All
The San Diego Film Community and the families of Down Syndrome individuals band together to make this great feel good PSA with a positive message.
How To: Create a smashing ice hand film prop
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about ice hands.
How To: Make a cheap DIY camera slider for your film
Film and television cinematographers love sliding camera shots, especially since ER made them a standard device for television dramas. A professional sliding camera setup is expensive though. Why not make one yourself? This video will show you how to turn $20 into a high-quality filmmaking tool that you can use to give your films some very professional-looking shots. Now get out there and follow that gurney with the camera!
How To: Light for fashion photography
Looking to get into the world of fashion photography? In this video, learn how to light a professional fashion photoshoot. Go behind the scenes with professional Denver based photographer Adam Bonilla and learn what it takes to get the right light!
How To: Use the Sony HD PMW-EX3 digital camcorder
See how to use the Sony Hi-Def PMW-EX3 digital camera, with a little help from Philip Bloom. This is a great video to teach you everything you need to know about this high definition camera, perfect for your short film.
How To: Shoot in a film noir setting
Film Noir, or black film, is a type of film that can easily be attributed to classics such as the Humphery Boggart films of old (Maltese Falcon, King of the Underworld, ect.). If you're looking on how to create the effect yourself without a big budget, check out this video! John Hess gives you some basic tips to creating the effect with lighting and more!
How To: Sew the hood for an Altair for Assassin's Creed costume
If you've been looking for a sexy contemporary video game character to cosplay or dress as for Halloween, consider Altair from Assassin's Creed. He's sexy, distinctive, and armed with this video you'll be well on your way to having sewed the costume yourself. Specifically, this video will teach you how to sew Altair's hood quickly and easily.
How To: Set Up an SJ4000 to Take Timelapse Pictures
This video teaches you how to setup a SJ4000 to take timelapse photos.
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: .
News: 3 Super Budget DIY X-Men Costumes
Superb costumes generally fall into two categories; artfully crafted, time intensive, pricey facsimiles or the low budget option—ingenious, cheap and scrappy. When undertaking the admirable task of creating "one cool (or not) idea every day, for 365 consecutive days, from January 1st until December 31st", option two is most viable. And the most fun.
How To: Create a DIY Studio Light Equivalent to 800 Watts at 5000k
This video is going to teach you how to create a DIY studio light that is the equivalent to 800 watts at 5000k
How To: Create a DIY Camera Rig (Ultrapod)
This video is going to teach you how to create a video handheld rig that will help stabilize your videos
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: Use Sony Vegas to edit your videos
This is a very basic introductory video on how you can use the Sony Vegas video editing program to edit your videos. It covers the basic features of Sony Vegas.
How To: Create a Dragonball Z Energy Ball Effect
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about teleportation.
Friday Fresh: Make Your Own Police Taser & More
Every day of the week, WonderHowTo curators are hard at work, scouring the web for the greatest and most inspiring how-to videos. Every Friday, we'll highlight our favorite finds.
How To: Balance your camera stabilizer, flycam or glidecam
If you're still having problems balancing your camera stabilizer, whether it's a Glidecam, Flycam or other piece of equipement, this tutorial is for you. There are a couple tips you can use to keep your camera steady while you're filming.
Start Your Day Off Right: Beautiful Oscar Nominated Short "The Lost Thing"
The Lost Thing is a lovely short written by Shaun Tan and co-directed by Tan and Andrew Ruhemann (executive producer of the fantastic doc My Kid Could Paint That). Based on the award-winning children’s book of the same title (also by Tan), the piece was created over a span of eight years(!) using a mix of CGI and 2D handpainted elements. Tan, whose background is in painting, spent much of the duration "carefully building, texturing and lighting of digitial elements to create a unique aestheti...
How To: Make replacement mouths for stop motion armatures
Mouths are so expressive, which can be tricky to animate. A simple way to capture the movement is to craft several mouths to alternate. Watch this video animation tutorial and learn how to make replacement mouths for stop motion animation armature puppets.
News: DIY RC Helicopter Rig Captures Amazing Canon 7D/5D Aerial Footage
One of the greatest innovations in the DSLR revolution is not only being able to execute shots you never dreamed possible, but you'll find it's affordable, too. I can't think of a better example than this remote controlled DSLR helicopter rig, designed specifically for the Canon 7D and 5D. Advertised as "high definition, low altitude photography and videography," HeliVideo's founder, Eric Austin combines his experience and love of remote controlled helicopters with his knowledge as a videogra...
How To: Write a script for a documentary film
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding screenwriting, specifically... documentary scripts.
How To: Create infinite white lighting cheaply
Going towards the infinite white light means something totally different these days. When we talk about the infinite white light, we're thinking less spiritual and more aesthetically pleasing. That's because a background consisting of a blurry, infinite white light is one of the most flattering you can use for a human subject.
How To: Get Great Bokeh for Videos and Photos Using Christmas Lights
So what is Bokeh? Well, the word comes from the Japanese term "boke" (bo-keh) which means fuzziness. Bokeh describes the character of the blur in an image, but is often used specifically to refer to points of light rendered as fuzzy circles. These "circles of confusion" come from points of light not being perfectly focused. You know when you're taking a picture of your friend at night, and the lights in the background go fuzzy? That's it! Having a beautifully blurred background can help focus...
News: Impressive Food for Your Blind Date
A comedic look at making an impressive italian style dinner. Nominated for Best Comedy at UCF Campus Movie Fest.
How To: Build and shoot a ray gun and shrink an object for a film with effects
The shrink ray as always been one of the oddest and least-useful sci-fi guns, but alien invaders seem to love them and so we'll keep seeing them. If you want to use a shrink ray in a film you're working on, watch this video. It will teach you how to first make a generic ray / laser gun, and then how to make an object shrink in After Effects.