Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Create zero budget vomit effects in After Effects
Ben and Paul show how easy and effective it is to cook up some great vomit effects using a strip of blue photographer's paper and a tin of pumpkin. Oh, and Adobe After Effects.
How To: Put product placement in your zero budget film
A few tips on how to attract major sponsorship for your zero budget film - and what tactics to avoid...
How To: Create zero budget horror sound effects
Ben and Paul show how the addition of horror sound effects can make an otherwise normal scene utterly creepy...
How To: Find zero budget locations for your film
Every good film needs some good locations, but what are you supposed to do if you don't have the money or time to get some good places to shoot? Do it guerilla style!
How To: Create a zero budget sound dubbing studio
Too many zero budget films suffer from poor sound quality, so here's a way to dub your films on the cheap, with a studio-in-a-box! You're voice-overs will shine like no other.
How To: Make a video carousel from a BBQ rotisserie
Want to video something and show all of it? This shows how to make a video carousel from a BBQ rotisserie.
How To: Use a 16mm Bolex camera
Watch this video series for a tutorial on using the various features of the Bolex 16mm camera. Part 1 of 6 - How to Use a 16mm Bolex camera.
How To: Break down cartoon construction with JohnK
JohnK (creator of Ren and Stimpy) explains cartoon contstruction and how to learn from other people's art.
How To: Cry on cue
Crying on stage, crying at films, crying at funerals. All can be tricky if you aren't genuinely sad and emotional. Fake crying though could be your answer. Tears can be produced with lots of techniques, from onions, to Stanislavkian theory. Learn how to cry on cue, and you could be earning plenty of brownie points for your display of emotion. Cry on cue.
How To: Film in low light situations using the Canon HV20
The so-called 'photo button trick' can help you get the exposure right, when you film in low light situations / total darkness. The tutorial was made for the Canon HV20 but works for the HG10 as well (they share menu / software).
How To: Record great sound with you digital camera
Bre Pettis explains and shows you different microphones and lets you listen to them too. From lavelier mics to shotgun mics, you'll learn the tips to get the best sound you can.
How To: Use editing transitions for your low budget film
Xander and Calvin go over some basic editing transitions here. They primarily feature THE CUT and THE DISSOLVE and explain why they're they best "storytelling transitions".
How To: Organize footage for editing with help from Sean Astin
Sean Astin hosts AFI's filmmaking tutorial series, LIGHTS, CAMERA, EDUCATION! In this segment, we explore the importance of organizing for the editing process and how to import your footage to a computer.
How To: Storyboard your script with help from Sean Astin
Sean Astin hosts AFI's filmmaking tutorial series, LIGHTS, CAMERA, EDUCATION! In this segment, we explore the importance and how-to of storyboarding your film or video.
How To: Pitch your film with help from Sean Astin
Sean Astin hosts AFI's filmmaking tutorial series, LIGHTS, CAMERA, EDUCATION! Here, we explore "The Pitch" or presenting your ideas for your film script.
How To: Create better lighting for your film project
Xander and Calvin give some helpful tips on how to light your films and videos! You can use common household lamps or ones at the hardware store. Remember, safety, get some workgloves.
How To: Capture better sound for your film projects
Xander and Calvin go over some ways to help get great sound for your films and videos! This is a great short video with some great tips for making the best sound possible for your low budget, indie film.
How To: Set up basic lighting for your film
In this episode, Peter and I talk about Lighting. We go over the different types of light and show examples of each.
How To: Use basic composition in a single camera setup
This episode of Take Zer0 discusses the differences between the multi-camera format used in television, and the single-camera setup most often used in film production. Since it's likely that indie filmmakers have access to only one camera, we will explain and offer examples of how to efficiently shoot multiple takes with one camera to convey a single action.
How To: Describe action in a film script
How To Describe Action In A Film Script: This video provides you with the screenwriting basics to getting action down on paper. VideoJug shows you these tips which will send you on your way to Hollywood, so learn how to describe action in a film script with us. Describe action in a film script.
How To: Format dialogue in a film script
How To Format Dialogue In A Film Script: Writing a good script is one thing - but writing a professional-looking script is another. However good your ideas are, you'll never make it to Hollywood unless you master the basics of formatting and laying out your dialogue properly. Watch this VideoJug film for our handy guide to the basics or formatting dialogue in a film script. Format dialogue in a film script.
How To: Build a puppet from scratch
Check out this video to learn how to build a puppet from scratch,
How To: Apply Halloween blood and latex skin effects
This clip, without sound (boo hoo), shows you how to apply those latex skin fx for the perfect Halloween gushing scar or pinchbeck movie scar.
How To: Make a leveled camera holder for self recording
To record yourself from a distance with a video camera, build this. Not just for boring static shots, like using a tripod, but for moving shots that you can take along with you. Yes, now you can follow yourself around all day, taping every move, you narcissist.
How To: Avoid bad audio for your indie film project
Bad audio is a plague! It must be eradicated! Here are some common examples of bad audio, and how to better it. External Microphones, getting the mic closer to the subject, removing any other noise in the room, and several other examples are shown.
How To: Find cheap and cool DIY lighting for your film
Continuing on with budget lighting, we explore using Fluorescent and LED lights, along with using available light, bouncing it with a reflector. These setups will work great for interviews, video casting, vlogging, and the likes. These lights use less power and also generate much less heat then big halogen work lights, and the price can't be beat. We also show the benefits of adjusting white balance on your camera, with lots of before and after shots. If you are shooting independent movies, s...
How To: Make fake skin easily for your Halloween haunting
Make fake skin for your Halloween fun, just like we did when I was a kid! Use it for fake cuts, burns, and other ghoulish fun! Or use it to cover up those ghastly birthmarks.
How To: Light a scene properly
Take Zer0 covers the topic of lighting, again, because lighting is and always will be an expansive area. We begin by describing the reasons why proper lighting will help to accentuate a scene. And lastly is a visual demonstration of how one common lighting technique can be applied.
How To: Edit film as a beginner
Peter from Take Zer0 tells you all the little things he knows about how to properly cut your footage together. He'll ramble about stuff like "leading the viewer's eye" and "cut between movement"—principles of movie editing. For some reason, though, Sean keeps interrupting him; and later on, Peter steps outside to look at a lawn gnome.
How To: Rip a heart out of someone's chest for fun - or movies
If you've seen Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, you'll know one of the greatest special effects of the film is where Mola Ram rips the heart out of someone's chest. In this episode of Backyard FX, Erik recreates that effect with the help of his family members. Don't forget to check out our previous episode on how to create a fake heart.
How To: Storyboard your films
Unless it's a scene with so many punches and kicks and explosions, storyboarding an entire movie or short isn't a requirement. However, it can be of use anyway; especially if your movie calls for seventy different shots that you can't all remember; or if you need a visual reference to hand to your crew.
How To: Build your own DIY camera dolly
Does your production need the smooth graceful movement of a dolly, but lack the $1,800 it would cost to buy one? Welcome the DIY Dolly! Watch this episode, as Erik and Jared show you how to build your very own dolly.
How To: Build Kano's Mortal Kombat metal cyborg face
Are you a big Mortal Kombat fan? Do you need a cool terminator or cyborg effect? Do you love Hannah Montana? If you answered "YES" to any of these questions then you need to watch this episode!
How To: Build prop break-away furniture cheap
This week on BFX we teach you how to build break-away furniture, because if you break one more real chair over your friend's head, he's never going to act in your movies again!
How To: Design and build cheap demon wings
If you watched the Demon Makeup episode and wanted more, then you really need to see this episode! Erik shows you how to make life-sized demon wings that you can wear. Dust off your pitchfork and press play.
How To: Create storm trooper armor with vacuum forms
Learn the basics of vacuum forming to create storm trooper costume items.
How To: Make an acrylic special effects eye with a mold kit
This short video is on how to use your new Eye Mold Kit from Ken Banks. It's simple and easy, and it makes a great looking acrylic eye for any special effect.
How To: Make super smooth pan shots with your camera tripod
Want to have super smooth pan shots? Yes? Well, all you need is some simple, stretched out, rubber bands. That's it.
How To: Make a costume wig out of pasta for cosplay
James Saint James, author of Party Monster, teaches you how to make a wig out of green vermicelli. Yes, really. Host is Lenora Claire. Great tutorial for those interested in cosplay.
How To: Make things disappear in a video
A short video on how to make things disappear by using a simple editing trick.