Active Film & Theater Posts
How To: Make a cheap lightsaber prop from Star Wars
This video will show you how to make some cheap Star Wars light saber movie props with a few hardware store items such as pvc pipe, pool cues, duct tape, electrical tape, and spray paint.
How To: Create simple claymation using a digital camera
Check out this video to learn how to make a basic claymation sequence. You can expand on this technique to create claymation animations for your film and video uses. This technique involves using a still digital camera and importing it into Quicktime Pro.
How To: Make bullet squibbs for film special effects
Check this video to learn how to make DIY squib special effects for your film.
How To: Use the sun as a key light for photography and video
Israel Hyman shows yow how to use the sun as a key light for film, video, and photography, including how its angle affects your subject’s look.
How To: Create a simulated shallow depth of field
60 Second Filmmaking Lessons explains how to create a simulated shallow depth of field when shooting video, podcasts, or photography.
How To: Record audio for internet videos & podcasts
In this riveting episode of The Shirtless Apprentice, Matt discusses recording audio for your internet video and podcast.It all begins with your camera, microphone options, surroundings and the inherent sexiness of your voice.
How To: Create mise-en-scene for your film
Watch this video to learn how to create mise-en-scene if you are making a movie. Elements of mise-en-scene are explained. Apply these ideas to your own film!
How To: Make digital video look more like film
Digital video image often lacks the tonality of a film image, but there are ways to make videos look more like film. Israel Hyman will show you how in this tutorial.
How To: Talk like a pirate
The Pirate Guys, Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy teach ye lubbers the basics of talkin' like a pirate. Simply put, you will gain the vernacular of Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Carribbean in no time!
How To: Make a simple stop motion animation using a drawing
Watch this video to learn how to make a simple stop motion animation using a drawing of a knight. It took approximately 90 minutes to make. Use your own drawing to make a stop motion animation movie!
How To: Build a blood-covered pumping heart for your movies
Are you at the bottom of the donor list? Making a movie that calls for a fake beating heart? Then you need to watch this episode. Erik from Indy Mogul will show you how to make a bargain chest ticker for less then $37 dollars
How To: Make a fake brain
This video from Backyard FX and Indy Mogul shows you how to make a fake brain. Making a brain is not hard but it does take time and creativity. You can make cauliflower brains, gelatin brains or the one I am going to show you out of bread and glue.
How To: Using "three point lighting" for video
We tagged along as Mark gave a 3 point lighting demonstration at a recent Videomaker Workshop.
How To: Use deceptive shooting by crunching the depth of field
Mark and Andrew demonstrate how to crunch the depth of field to achieve two camera tricks. By crunching the field of view it makes the action closer than it really is. Often used when filming fight scenes or being "hit by a car" scene.
How To: Record ambient noise to enhance your audio clip
John shows us how to record ambient noise to enhance the audio of your video.
How To: Use the speed-up background effect
John demonstrates how to create the speed up background effect which evokes a "calm and reflection in a chaotic world" with this easy effect.
How To: Shoot better hand-held footage with your video camera
Jennifer gives Melissa, a beginning videographer, some pointers on shooting better hand-held footage.
How To: Create ghostly special effects for video
John demonstrates an easy way of creating an out-of-body special effect.
How To: Shoot video in the snow
Brandon goes into the wilderness to shoot video in the snow. He demonstrates which situations to avoid and which provide ideal opportunities for great looking winter videos.
How To: Record your own soundtrack to your video
This week Brandon gives a live demonstration on recording an instrument directly into a computer's music creation software, and then create your own soundtrack for your video or film.
How To: Shoot sunrise or sunsets on video
It's very hard to capture a sunrise on camera. Yes, you can get a general feeling from a single shot: the hazy, blue-orange rays of light peeking through the clouds in a sunrise or the crimson red streaks of sun dappling darkening skies in a sunset. But to truly capture a sunset or a sunrise, you have to experience them.
How To: Create cheap fake blood for film
Brandon shows a cheap and easy way to create a fake blood special effect for your video.
How To: Create different shot types with your video camera
Issac explains what different shot types are: from the establishing shot to the extreme close up, and how they can be used to enhance your videos.
How To: Record ambient noise for your video
Brandon discusses the audio technique "capturing ambient noise". He describes how to do it and why it can improve your video's overall sense of depth and appeal.
How To: Record a voice over
Brandon explains how to record a voice over audio track to improve the quality of your videos.
How To: Cast shadows with cookies for your video
Jennifer shows how to spice up the background of your video using cookies (aka cucaloris or cucalorus). Cookies are lighting accessories that are cut out shapes that cast a shadow.
How To: Shoot landscapes on film
John talks about some techniques that are used to capture vast landscapes in a small frame.
How To: Create a "natural wipe" in film
Jennifer talks about the technique known as "Natural Wipes". She gives several examples of these types of "in camera" transitions and how they can be used to create better videos.
How To: Create a split-screen effect in your video
Issac talks about the split-screen effect: what it is and how it works. There is also a quick demo on how to perform a split screen edit in Final Cut Pro.
How To: Use a "pan" and "tilt" when filming
Issac demonstrates what a "pan" and a "tilt" are and how they can improve the quality of the shots in your videos.
How To: Create cheap outdoor lighting for filming
Issac demonstrates a couple different outdoor lighting techniques and how "good" outdoor lighting can improve your videos.
How To: Avoid making the 7 biggest mistakes in camera work
Videomaker demonstrates the 7 biggest mistakes made when shooting video and how to avoid them.
How To: Use transitions in film
Brandon Pinard discusses the most commonly used transitions in television and film: the Cut, the Fade and the Dissolve. He covers the basic definition of each of the three transitions, how they are most commonly used in the film and television industries, and how anyone can improve their own videos with the proper understanding of these transitions.
How To: Shoot underwater video
Here's a short tip from Videomaker magazine on how to shoot underwater video without having to purchase that expensive underwater housing. Go get wet!
How To: Use the "180 degree rule" in filming
Also known as the Line of Action, the 180 Degree Rule is an important fundamental to communicating the action through careful camera positioning. Jennifer O'Rourke walks us through it.
How To: Steady your video camera
Isaac gives some helpful tips on keeping your camcorder steady.
How To: Make a puppet
Erik Beck from Indy Mogul shows you how to make a Jim Henson-style puppet for about $25.
How To: Use Chromakey to enhance your videos & photos
See how to use Chromakey to enhance your videos and photos. Chromakey is the process of removing one color and replacing it with another but it most often refers to removing green screen or blue screen backgrounds and replacing them with composited videos or images. This lesson uses Pinnacle software for the final video editing, but any editing software can be used - it's more about the principles of the process and setting up the cameras that you'll learn from this video.
How To: Apply burn scar makeup SFX to the face
This video shows you how to apply a makeup prosthetic made of gelatin that gives a horrific burn and or scar effect. You can easily do this at home for a great effect
How To: Make a video camera stabilizer
This is sort of like a homemade steadicam without the harness and everything that makes it keep the camera straight. This is kinda just a stick you attach to the camera.