Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Readjust microFollowFocus gear if too loose
This instructional cinematography video provides troubleshooting alternatives to adjusting the focus gear on a Redrock microFollowFocus should it become too loose. There are several adjustment capabilities built into the Redrock microFollowFocus and can be tightened by watching this video. This instructional video is interesting for cinematography aficionados.
How To: Discover claymation stop motion animation
Making an animated film? This short and easy animation tutorial provides beginners the bare minimum to begin creating a claymation or stop motion animation film. This instructional video shows how to move claymation characters, how to control the lighting, and how to create a visually interesting set with props. This claymation video also compares the different results when you vary the frames per second.
How To: Make a Mamshmam's claymation character
This quick instructional claymation video reveals how to make a Mamshmam claymation clay person for a stop motion animation video. Follow these simple steps to create a Mamshmam claymation character: roll into a ball, pinch the top to create the head, push the middle to make the stomach, squish the sides to create arms, push down clay to finish legs, and smooth him out.
How To: Balance a GlideCam using a Canon XL2
Watch this quick instructional cinematography video that shows how to balance a Canon XL2 professional HD digital camera on a GlideCam 4000 Pro. Learn how to secure the camera using this handheld camcorder stabilizer to prevent unwanted swaying, shoot fluid traveling shots, and produce professional works.
How To: Build a stop motion animation stage
This short construction tutorial video shows how to build a small, simple stage from scratch specifically for animating a claymation or stop motion animation project. Construct the ideal world for your claymation characters or stop motion animation armatures and puppets. All you have to do is follow this video then drill holes wherever you want your tie downs to pass through and you're off to the races. Just use the following materials to build your own stage: an armature with foot tie-downs,...
How To: Rotoscope
Rotoscoping is the process of removing unwanted lines or images or anything from an animation. You go frame by frame and remove whatever you need invisible by creating a mask layer around it. If you have never rotoscoped before, check out this tutorial and get a brief history and basic understanding of how you can create artistic rotoscope animations.
How To: Make a claymation character for stop motion animation
Here is a video tutorial that offers basic tips on crafting a simple claymation character using everyday, household objects. Soften a single chunk of material and pull your claymation character's limbs and head from it. Insert a toothpick (or armature) to stabilize the body and head. Pull out facial features with small tools. Experiment with different poses and facial expressions to make a fun animation. This playful claymation how to video is great for beginning animators, so sit back and en...
How To: Do the sandercurl claymation trick for stop motion
Watch this short animation tutorial on how to perform the sandercurl trick for claymation animation videos.
How To: Configure the Redrock microShouldermount
Watch this cinematography tutorial on how to use the microShouldermount, which can be attached onto a tripod or used in its typical configuration as a shoulder mount. You can attach a monitor along the grip rod. Learn the essentials of the Redrock mounting systems for professional digital video cameras. Interesting tutorial for professional cameramen & digital filmmakers.
How To: Improve the sound of your digital camcorder
This video shows you how to upgrade your consumer camcorder sound capabilities using a camcorder XLR adapter, a simple device that mounts to the bottom of the camera. It then tests and compares the various types of microphones that can be attached, including the lavalier, sennheiser, handheld interview, and the wireless clip-on microphone. WAtch this helpful instructional video, and boost the sound on your camcorder for professional audio.
How To: Sculpt hair onto a claymation armature
The final humanizing step in building a claymation armature is the crowning step, the head of hair. As hair moves independent of the body, and is not a solid unit, it can be especially tricky to sculpt out of clay and to attach properly. Watch this video animation tutorial and learn how to sculpt a head of hair onto a clay armature for a realistic stop motion figure.
How To: Pose a claymation armature for stop motion animation
This video animation tutorial demonstrates the process of moving a clay armature into poses for stop motion animation. It can be a challenge to instill expression into an inanimate object, but therein lies the skill of a talented animator. Watch this instructional video and learn how to pose a claymation figure.
How To: Dress and pose a clay armature for stop motion
This video animation tutorial shows how to take a raw claymation figure and apply a costume onto it, as well as pose it in a scene. In this particular video, the demonstrator creates a wrap-around dress out of a sheet of clay and position it onto the armature. Also shown, is the process of molding the armature into a natural shape or body position as a starting point of a scene. Watch this instructional video and learn how to dress and pose an armature for claymation stop motion animation.
How To: Make clay look like fabric for stop motion armatures
This video animation tutorial demonstrates a technique for creating a fabric-like effect out of clay for stop motion figures, or armatures. Instead of smooth clay, try to give a more authentic finish to clay that will be used to create clothing. This technique will also create patterned fabrics. You'll need to chop the clay up first in a food processor, and then put it through a pasta machine. Watch this instructional video and learn how to make clay look like fabric for claymation armature c...
How To: Splice film and do a reel to reel
Trying to get a job as a projectionist, or just setting up an in-home theater? This film editing video tutorial shows how to splice film together and switch from reel to reel. Watch this instructional video and splice just like a master projectionist.
How To: Direct an actor without interfering
Indie moguls, Anson and Don, give a tip they picked up from fellow director, Ron Howard. An overeager director might interfere with the acting process, but Anson and Don (as well as Ron Howard) suggest the don't say something until you have to say something method. Watch this video how to direct tutorial and learn a helpful tip about working with an actor.
How To: Make a prop adult diaper with a towel or trash bags
Don't spend the money or suffer the embarrassment of going out to buy adult diapers. Prop diapers are easy to make using just a towel or some white trash bags. Watch this video costume design tutorial and learn how to make a folded prop towel or trash bag adult diaper. Make a prop adult diaper with a towel or trash bags.
How To: Make housing for a video camera to film underwater
Expand your filming range by waterproofing your video camera! Learn how to create an inexpensive underwater camera housing. It is a good video, but it moves a bit too fast for the viewer to learn clearly.
How To: Build a radio controlled camera pod
Watch this video to learn how to make a radio controlled camera rig that can tilt and pan like an expensive security camera. This is an amazing tool for movie making! Stick to your budget.
How To: Make an underwater video camera housing
This tutorial video sequence will show you how to make a home made underwater camera housing for your camera. for under $50. This apparatus is made using a pvc pipe , a end cap , perspexs, and a screw end lid with rubber seal. This is a great way to keep your camera dry when making underwater shots.
How To: Make a camera dolly for smooth shots
This tutorial video guide will give you a $40 step by step instructions to make a camera dolly that produces a professional effect. a dolly helps make a smooth, gliding shot that will make your audience feel much more enveloped in the movie.
How To: Make a camera dolly
This tutorial video will teach you how to make a camera dolly that is extremely affordable. This camera dolly is great for amateur film making and other purposes.
How To: Make a two axis panning timelapse head for DSLR
Way too much to explain here but, here is a quick overview so you can see where I'm headed with this new head. This tutorial video will give you an idea of how to make a camera attachment that will allow you to pan in two axes and take time lapse shots.
How To: Make fake and drinkable blood
In this Halloween Science Video Series, Dr. Diana teaches you how to make fake and drinkable blood using ingredients from your kitchen. This recipe is perfect for your Halloween Party. Now all you need is some fangs for that blood to drip down, and you'll have the scariest costume.
How To: Use dry ice for halloween special effects
Dr. Diana teaches you how to make fog, a gaseous, bubbly pumpkin for your Halloween Party, and well as other experiments using dry ice. The guests at your Halloween party are really going to love these effects.
How To: Make your own steadycam
No one wants to watch something that was filmed with a shaky camera. This cinematography tutorial video will show you how to make your own steadycam for smooth shots when filming.
How To: Make a wax hand
This tutorial video will show you how to make a hand out of wax using some candles and water. This is a great idea for making props and various pieces needed to decorate a film set, or a halloween idea.
How To: Use low cost fluorescent lights when shooting video
See the low cost fluorescent lights Bill Myers uses when shooting video, and how to quickly set your camcorder to get perfect color under these lights.
How To: Create a forcefield in Adobe After Effects
Make special effects at home using Adobe After Effects software. This simple video tutorial shows how to create a forcefield effect over a digital image. Great for action, adventure, and sci-fi movies! Create a forcefield in Adobe After Effects.
How To: Learn about set design
This video sequence will teach you the basics of set design. It will teach you how necessary the overall theme is to keeping the director happy and unfolding the stage design. After watching this video, you will learn how to design a set so that everyone will love you.
How To: Make a cosplay wing
This is a tutorial on how to make yourself a lovely pair of wings for cosplaying. If you want to be an angel, or maybe just want to fly around the next comicon, this is the video for you.
How To: Make the Hellboy II gun known as the "Good Samaritan"
Do you need an awesome costume for Comicon, or do you just need a giant prop revolver? Either way you can't miss with this episode. Erik shows you how to make your very own "Good Samaritan" revolver from Hellboy! This video will give you tips and tricks for making a great looking Good Samaritan for cheap.
How To: Hide a Lav Mic
The only way to get great sound is to get the microphone as close to the talent as possible. This video tutorial will discuss the dark art of hiding a microphone in someone's clothing or elsewhere. These tips will help you keep your mics hidden and heard.
How To: Properly use Boom Mics for film making
It's not a dead cat on a pole, it's a boom microphone. The primary component is the boom pole, which is attached to the microphone. This sound and film making video tutorial will teach you to properly use a boom mic as well as support a boom pole.
How To: Use a Field Mixer for film making
This video will give you tips and tricks on how to use a field audio mixer for your home movies and amateur films.
How To: Record foley sound basics
This video covers the basics of recording Foley sound. Foley was a sound technician at Universal studios who invented a new sound effect method. This video will teach you how to use his method to get great sound effects.
How To: Record good interview audio
This sound video demonstrates some techniques for getting good sound during an interview. It covers various types of mics and what you can use them for. Pretty soon, you'll be rigging up interview audio for important shows like Oprah or Good Morning America!
How To: Record Outdoor Audio
Sometimes, we need to record outdoors for our film making. Perhaps we need an audio clip of a babbling brook, or perhaps just ambient noise. This instructional filmmaking video covers some tips for capturing good sound when shooting outdoors.
How To: Light videos at night
I know it sounds odd, but not every bit of action in a film takes place during the day. Sometimes it's necessary to shoot some scenes at night. This instructional video explores the basics of lighting for a nighttime shoot.
How To: Shoot Macro Video
The advantage of the camcorder is that sometimes, it can see more than the human eye when put close up to something. This cinematography video should help you make interesting shots as well as get really good extreme close-ups.