Hot Film & Theater Posts

How To: Create your own episode of South Park using Flash CS4

In this super cool tutorial, learn how to create your very own episode of South Park using Flash CS4 and a couple of images you can download on the web. This tutorial is for any super fans who wish to spend some extra quality time with their characters, or for anyone interested in animation. These famous, foul mouthed, 2D characters are fun to move around and will do anything you need them to do once you get started! Get your fan fiction minds turning with this video!

How To: Operate a gloved arm puppet

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to operate a gloved arm puppet. The puppet is operated by the user putting one hand inside the puppets head to operate the mouth, and the other hand into a glove to operates the puppet's hand. Users may have a second puppeteer to the other hand. The puppets are able to use their hands to pick up objects, make contact or show emotion. These puppets require a special amount of skill and patience to be able to operate both the head and hands of the puppe...

How To: Make a puppet lip synch

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to properly make a puppet lip sync. Begin by putting your hand into the puppet's body and bring it into the frame. When lip syncing, do not just open and close the puppet's mouth as you talk. It will make the puppet look more robotic and unrealistic. Instead, open and close the puppet's mouth upon every syllable. This will make the puppet look more realistic and make it look like it can speak dialogue fluently like a human. This video will benefit tho...

News: Transport Yourself to THE Most Dangerous Race Track in the World: The Green Hell

Ever heard of Nürburgring? If you're an auto racing enthusiast, you likely have. According to Wikipedia, the racetrack was nicknamed "The Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart (famed Scottish racing driver) and is known as "the toughest, most dangerous and most demanding purpose-built racing circuit in the world". Located in Germany, the older track was first built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains.

How To: Professionally operate puppets

In this video, Paul Louis, a professional puppeteer and puppet builder discusses the difference between puppets intended for theater and television and how they are different both in appearance and operation. For a puppet on stage, stitching is acceptable to be seen on the outside of the puppet and large, exaggerated movements for the puppet are acceptable and encouraged for easier viewing by your audience. For a puppet which is shown on a television shown, the puppet should be cleaner and th...

How To: Create a chopped off finger for film & theatre effect

This video deals with special effects used in movies or theater. The first tutorial deals with making a chopped off finger effect inexpensively. Start with some modeling wax and roll it into an upper finger shape. Next, you cut it to the desired length and paint the inside of each finger section red. Now, paint the outside of the finger with skin tone make up. The next step is to take a toothpick and poke a hole in the finger. Paint the hole so that it doesn't look very noticeable. You're rea...

How To: Make a really gross fake scar for Halloween or film

Making fake scars, abrasions, lacerations, and other wounds is one of the most entertaining parts of special effects and makeup work. This video help you get started, teaching you how to make a really gross, festering, fresh-looking fake arm wound that will scare the pants off of your audience (if you use it for a movie) or your fellow revelers (for Halloween or another costumed occasion).

How To: Make easy fake wounds for Halloween or film

Making fake wounds is an art form, and this girl is, if not a master, at least a very accomplished journeywoman. In this video she teaches us how to create a realistic-looking fake wound using only liquid latex, facepaint, and other simple materials. The end result is creepy and gross, and will make a perfect addition to your next Halloween costume or hot date.

How To: Do the Joker's makeup from The Dark Knight

Heath Ledgers iconic portrayal of The Joker in the film The Dark Knight has made him a Hollywood legend, shoving Jack Nicholson Joker straight out of posterity. This video will teach you how to do your makeup to look like his scary makeup from the film. The end result looks really good, and is sure to intimidate your friends on Halloween or at whatever other costume soiree you wear this to.

How To: Make a fake cut with theatrical makeup

Finally, the professionals are weighing in on how to create fake wounds! This video features a makeup artist from the BBC demonstrating how to make a really realistic fake cut on the hand of an actor using theatrical makeup. The plastic pieces from a CD jewel case that resemble broken glass really set this cut apart from the other fake cuts on the site, along with the professionalism of the presenter.

How To: Create a rotten diseased flesh effect for Halloween

If you want to make a movie with zombies, or the apocalypse, or the apocalypse and zombies, then you are going to have to learn how to create a really haggard-looking, disease-ridden face out of makeup. This video will show you how to do it using Rice Krispies, among other things. The end result is terrifying, and sure to scare your audiences or trick-or-treating targets into doing what you want (buying theater tickets or giving your candy, respectively).

How To: Make fake bruises for film or Halloween

Bruises may not be as gory or extreme as the gashes and slashes from some of the other fake-wound videos on the site, but they are an important part of the fake-injury world. I a brick falls on you, what you are going to have isn't a cut, but a very nasty bruise! This video will teach you how to make a realistic fake bruise on your arm out of makeup, which should be handy for you next film.

How To: Create a fake knuckle wound with makeup

If you want to have your character punch a very hard object, or punch a person very hard, then it will help if you can show their damaged, bloodied knuckles afterwards. Now you can with help from this video. It will teach you how to create a very gory fake knuckle wound out of basic prop and makeup materials. Now your characters can punch with authority.

How To: Make fake blood for film or costumes

Do you feel like your whole paycheck is going towards buying store-brand fake blood from your local prop shop? You must be using a lot of fake blood, because the stuff isn't very expensive. If you want to make your own blood at home, this video will show you how, using only simple household ingredients that you probably already have.

How To: Make a latex prosthesis chest wound effect

There is no such thing as a sucking chest wound. All chest wounds suck. Except perhaps for fake ones, which are essential to making a really gritty, gory film in most cases. This video features detailed instructions on how to make a fake chest wound out of latex and other special effects materials. Since it is a prosthesis, it can even be reused! It is a little complicated, but the end result looks great, so try this out in your next movie!

How To: Make realistic claw marks on the face with makeup

If you want to have a character get attacked by a predatory land animal in your movie, you are probably going to need to put some claw marks on their body to make it look realistic and visceral. This three-part video will show you how to create a really realistic open claw mark wound on an actor's face, or any other body part. It looks really, really good, now try it yourself and scare your family and friends!

How To: Make special effects makeup burn marks

There are a lot of videos out there that offer instructions for creating all sorts of fake wounds. Most of them, however, focus on cuts and gashes rather than that other devious and action-packed type of wound: the burn. This three-part video features detailed instructions for making a burn wound on your face or other body part using makeup and other household products. Now your characters get lit on fire and you can render the results accurately.

How To: Make a blood burst machine for film

Alright, so you have some fake blood, and you want to use it in your movie. Unless you are showing a wound after it has happened, and if you want to do anything depicting people getting shot, you are going to have to find a way to make the blood "shoot" out of the wound when it happens. This video features instructions for making a homemade blood burst machine that you can use to make your actors spurt blood when they get shot, sliced, or whatever else you plan on making happen to them.

How To: Make fake horror movie blood

Realistic fake blood is hard to come by, unless you plan on spending tons of money ordering it from a prop company. Make it yourself! This video features step-by-step instructions for making fake blood at home out of simple ingredients, with a blender being the only tool required. This way, you won't need to resort to drawing it from a real human.

How To: Create an open gash wound on a head

Head wounds are among the very worse types of wound, and as a results are very fun and popular subjects for representation in film. This video will teach you how to create an open gash wound on the head of your actor without taking a bottle to it. The wound looks very real, make sure you don't let your actor get near a hospital!

How To: Make a fake wound for Halloween or film

Creating fake wounds on the human body is one of the most fun parts of being an amateur or professional makeup artist, and whether your clients are you friends on Halloween or Brad Pitt. This video will teach you very quickly how to make a fake wound on your hand out of latex and other basic makeup costume makeup materials. Make others think that you need to be hospitalized! Make a fake wound for Halloween or film.

How To: Get yourself an agent in Los Angeles

In this video, producer and actress Kathleen Cooke, offers advice on how to find a fantastic agent in LA. You won't find much success in Hollywood without representation, so listen to Kathleen's advice and make sure you choose the right one and how to impress them so that they sign you.

How To: Get a great, effective headshot as a Hollywood actor

In this tutorial, learn all about headshots from producer and actress Kathleen Cooke. Kathleen will tell you all about what you need for a great headshot that will work in Los Angeles. From what to wear to how to pose, Kathleen will get you started. Chances are the headshots you have from back home won't cut it in LA, so make sure you have a great set and carry them with you - always!

How To: Behave when on a film or TV set for the first time

In this tutorial, actress and producer Kathleen Cooke tells you how to prepare yourself for stepping foot on a television or film set for the first time. As an actor, you must be aware of the set and protocol. There is a heirarchy on every set, and you must know how to respect it. You must also learn the vocabulary - if you do not know what a gaffer or a honeywagon are, it's time to hit the books and study!

How To: Find yourself an acting mentor in Los Angeles

One of the most significant ingredients that there can be in a young actor's career. Mentoring helps you make great, smart decisions. If you have a mentor, or someone who has been through the same experience before, you will learn so much more and be better prepared to face life as an actor. In this clip, Hans Obma talks about the importantce of finding a mentor in the entertainment industry.

How To: Develop good habits as an actor

In this tutorial, actor Hans Obma give you very important tips on how to practice your skills every day and improve. You will learn how to make acting a daily habit so that when you are in front of a casting director you can stand up with confidence and wow them. Follow along and form some great habits with Hans.

How To: Adjust to living life in Los Angeles as an actor

In this clip, actress Julie Crisante explains some of the hardships you might have when you uproot and make the move to Los Angeles. Make sure you are ready for the major adjustment you will be facing. Los Angeles is an incredible city - it is beautiful, the people are friendly and always fun - but moving as an actor can be difficult for some. A lot of actors wind up leaving in their first year when faced with the cost and competition. Stay focused and stay in LA with these helpful tips from ...

How To: Make Lego figures fly using stop-motion animation

Stop-motion animation is somewhat out of favor in the digital age, but there will always be a demand for its timeless look. This video will teach you one important technique for making stop-motion animation out of Legos: how to make them fly. Or at least appear to by flying in your movie. It features detailed instructions on what to do in your digital photo editing software on each frame to erase the support structures you've used to elevate your Lego minifigures, leaving you with seamless im...

How To: Sign up for the right acting classes in Hollywood

There are many different acting classes available in Los Angeles, so how do you know if you are taking the right type? Don't get stuck with a bad teacher, or learning the wrong method for your chosen field. This tutorial, hosted by actor Shaun Pilkington, will walk you through a few insider tips for choosing the right mentors. Follow along, practice your skill and make your Hollywood dreams come true.