Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Build a character for actors
Acting requires getting to know a fictional character and becoming him or her, including motivation, status, desires, habits, and more. Learn to act in character from a performer in this free acting video series.
How To: Setup your RED ONE project settings & format media
Before you do any shooting on the Red One Camera, you must set up your project settings and format your media with the settings you plan on shooting with. 2K, 3K, or 4K and your FPS must be set or face bad consequences when you go to edit this footage.
How To: Make an animated movie
Hey, want to make an animated movie, but you don't know how to start? First of all, you need a good idea. Good ideas are hard to find, but you could always steal one from someone more talented than you. Found a good idea? Very good. Now take good care of it, over time that idea will turn into a story almost by itself.
How To: Animate LEGOs for stop motion animated brickfilms
Watch this in-depth video tutorial on how to animate LEGOs for stop motion animated brickfilms. This is a detailed peek behind the scenes of stop-motion animation from the director of the "Circle Circle Dot Dot" music video, Blunty3000.
How To: Make a prop pen flashlight powered Star Trek phaser
This is a tutorial on Halloween costumes prop construction. Follow these easy Star Trek Phaser construction directions. Spocks costume needs a phaser. The phaser laser beam is simulated by a pen flashlight.
How To: Weigh risk when making a film in extreme conditions
How far do you push to get the ultimate shot? Michael Brown tells how to weigh risk when making a movie in extreme conditions. This is a video from Serac Adventure School. It describes gear and the pros - cons of shooting under duress. Weigh risk when making a film in extreme conditions.
How To: Widen a LEGO mini-figure's arm motion for brickfilms
If you're into animation, you can't pass this up... see how to widen a LEGO mini-figure's arm motion for brickfilms. Brickfilms are animated films using LEGO, Mega Bloks, or other plastic construction building block toys. Most are stop motion, but some brickfilms are even made with CGI, traditional animation and live action.
How To: Make a 400-watt video light for film or photography
Bring a little life to your films, or maybe a little "light". Watch this video to see how to make your own 400-watt video light for film or photography. You can make this video light with mere parts from the local hardware store, such as plastic paneling (which is cheap, easy to cut and non-conductive), zip ties, 4 plastic bulb sockets, lamp cord (like Romex), a cheap plug, and good and cheap diffusion. With all of these materials, you'll have your own homemade light for any film or photo pro...
How To: Get better voice overs for your amateur film making
If you plan to do a voice-over on a video, there are a few ways to get that big studio sound in your amateur film without the big studio usage fees. This episode of Jim Shorts gives you a look inside Jim Shorts, at how I do some voice-over work, and how you can do the same thing for next to nothing.
How To: Add sound effects to a filmed neck snapping
See how to snap a person's neck for a film effect, complete with sound. This requires just two easy steps. First, get some peanuts. Second, synchronize the head movement to you crushing the peanuts into the microphone. Snapping a neck on camera is nothing as long as you have those peanuts and are careful... very, very careful not to snap the neck for real. This neck snapping is a great cinematic trick for the seasoned amateur filmmaker.
How To: Apply zombie makeup and make zombie clothes
Get your Halloween on zombie-style! Watch this ThreadBanger video tutorial to see how to apply zombie makeup and make zombie clothes. Becoming undead is perfect for Halloween parties, but you can't do it without a little help. Get a makeup tutorial from the creators of Zombie A GO GO plus a lesson on how to zombify your clothing. This will also be helpful for all of you amateur filmmakers out there looking to make the next horrific horror movie for the undead.
How To: Build a blue Eryndor boffer sword
All you LARPers out there, watch and see how you can make a blue boffer sword for LARPing. This weapon passes all weapons specs as of Ragnarok XXI War Council for Eryndor.
How To: Make an Amtgard-style boffer sword
It's time for some LARP! Get your Amtgard LARPing on with this easy to make faom boffer sword. Just watch as Harkael explains how you can make an Amtgard-style boffer sword. This isn't the only way to make a foam sword, but if you know nothing about making swords for live action role playing, this is a great place to start.
How To: Export your stop motion films with iKITMovie
iKITMovie is stop motion animation software for PC's running Windows XP or Vista. All you need is a computer and a USB webcam or USB streaming camcorder and you are ready to make your own brickfilms or clay animation (claymation) movies. If you wish, you can simply import your JPG images (640x480) that you have already taken with your camcorder or digital still camera for simple editing.
How To: Animate stop motion films with iKITMovie
iKITMovie is stop motion animation software for PC's running Windows XP or Vista. All you need is a computer and a USB webcam or USB streaming camcorder and you are ready to make your own brickfilms or clay animation (claymation) movies. If you wish, you can simply import your JPG images (640x480) that you have already taken with your camcorder or digital still camera for simple editing.
How To: Install the iKITMovie stop motion animation software
iKITMovie is stop motion animation software for PC's running Windows XP or Vista. All you need is a computer and a USB webcam or USB streaming camcorder and you are ready to make your own brickfilms or clay animation (claymation) movies. If you wish, you can simply import your JPG images (640x480) that you have already taken with your camcorder or digital still camera for simple editing.
How To: Install the Zacuto EVF mount on the RED ONE Camera
This EVF mount is the mount all RED users have been waiting for. It is inexpensive, adjustable and will not loosen. This simple three hundred dollar mount is a great addition to any RED ONE camera setup. This video will show you how to install the Zacuto EVF mount on the RED ONE Camera.
How To: Set up a handheld Zacuto Letus35 Elite on an HVX200
In this demonstration, you will see how to build an HVX200 up with a Zacuto Letus35 Elite DOF Baseplate and Backfocus kit in a handheld setup. These three videos will show you how to build the HVX200 setup from nothing, start to finish. The first step to setting up the package is the baseplate, just like most cameras. If you want, you can even add a monitor to the setup to see what you're doing when filming.
How To: Make your own track dolly
Build a track dolly for about £80. This is great for getting professional dolly shots when making your own films.
How To: Use the Zacuto Zube
Zacuto Zube Tutorial Use this coupling device in-between a Zacuto male and female threaded rods to securely connect them. After tightening the Allen screw on the Zoupler (Male or Female ), the rods are locked and cannot unwind, creating a rock solid connection.
How To: Adjust your Zacuto Letus35 Elite Backfocus DOF
Zacuto Letus35 Elite Backfocus DOF Tutorial
How To: Install a light weight rod support system for the Red
Lightweight rod support bracket from Long Valley Equipment mounts directly to front of the camera, saving weight and cost of other methods. Holds 15mm rods at 60mm spacing to support matte box, follow focus, remote focus, zoom motor.
How To: Build a cheap Red One EVF mount
Alternate version of a Red EVF mount made with Zacuto parts.
How To: Build a Britek Softbox
How to assemble a Britek Softbox Number 3428, including reflector and diffussion.
How To: Make a feather fascinator hat for Burlesque shows
Ruby Rouge of the Ministry of Burlesque shows you how to make a feather fascinator hat. This is a classic showgirl prop or costume piece. Make this craft for your next exotic Burlesque show! Make a feather fascinator hat for Burlesque shows.
How To: Use a Marantz digital audio recorder
Check out this video tutorial to show you how to use a Marantz digital audio recorder. This video was made by the equipment room at CUNY Journalism School in New York.
How To: Make spooky Halloween shadow puppets with Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-tuesdays-spooky-shadow-puppets-by-crankbunny-2827/
How To: Find sound effects on the Internet for your film
If you need some sound effects for your upcoming film, you better watch this video! After principle photography in production, you have to get into the editing process in post-porduction, which leads to sound department for ADR, Foley, Sound Effects and Sound Design. If you can't afford a professional sound designer for your movie, you can do it yourself, and this video will help you find sound effects on the Internet for your film.
How To: Create the wall cut with your camera and Sony Vegas
The wall cut is a very cool transition, where it looks as if the scene appears on the other side of the wall. You can do this with steady hands to hold that camera, and any editing platform with a linear wipe transition. Here, you'll see it done with Sony Vegas.
How To: Pass through a wall using your camera and Sony Vegas
This tutorial shows you how to "pass through a wall". It's a really neat editing trick, so use it wisely. Don't overdo it, or it will just look cheesy, not that cheesy's bad or anthing.
How To: Make a whip cut with your camera and Sony Vegas
The 'whip cut' is a clever way of joining shots together without the audience realizing there's been a cut. This means that you can shoot one actor in one place and another actor in a completely different place and join the two shots together. If you're trying to make twins, then make sure they are wearing different clothes, please.
How To: Pull and split focus on your digital video camera
This is a very popular effect in film and television, where the camera switches focus on objects in one shot.
How To: Pass through a keyhole with your camera and Sony Vegas
This tutorial shows you how to make it seem as though you pass through a keyhole. All you need is a camera and an editing platform with chroma keying and keyframing. This video uses Sony Vegas to demonstrate, but you can use any program you like. Yes, that's right, any (almost).
How To: Monitor sound on a camcorder with no headphone jack
Does your video camera not have a headphone jack? This cool idea enables you to use a pair of headphones to monitor what your video camera is hearing in real time.
How To: Lip sync a Machinima in World of Warcraft
This will show you how to lip sync machinima films in World of Warcraft. This is a lesson about making machinma characters move their mouths with your dialogue while within World of Warcraft. Don't make overdubs like the old Godzilla over dubs from Japan. We need to sync the lips with the talking. The animation must be redone. Swap out different mouth sizes for each syllable. Customize mouths by using animator's cartoons to show what they look like relative to the audio.
How To: Film machinima of World of Warcraft with good lighting
Ian Beckman of Azerothian Super Villains fame introduces the third installment of How 2 Machinima. This series of tutorials is aimed to introduce both the fundamentals and advanced techniques of WoW machinima-making. Use Adobe Premiere to model machinima and create proper machinima or video game films. Change the lighting to diffused, specular or ambient lighting.
How To: Cross one eye or speak with an ech-ech o-o
Want to learn a valuable skill? Well, just watch this video tutorial to see how to cross one eye or speak with an echo.
How To: Make convincing fake bruises
Ever wonder how actors get bruises that look so real? Learn how to make these bruises and start your own visual effects for movies. Perfect for beginners or advanced make up artists, create real looking bruises for your next Halloween costume. Make convincing fake bruises.
How To: Stunt fight Kung Fu style
In this week's episode of Backyard FX, Erik visits the Indy Kung Fu Masters of West Haven Brook to learn some awesome tips for movie fight scenes. They talk about the counting, sound effects, pull backs and camera movement necessary for orchestrating a great fight scene.
How To: Use camera stabilization equipment
In this episode, we dive into the expensive, or, at the least, tedious realm of camera stabilization equipment. This ranges from the all-powerful, all-knowing fluid tripod head, to the much used and often abused dolly. We don't own and operate an actual Steadicam or a jib or a crane, but hey, we'll mention them, too.