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How To: Set up and light a blue/green screen for filming

You will see a great way to light and set up a blue/green screen for your next video. There are a lot of tips that will come in handy if you want to film on a blue/green screen and don't want to pay outrageous fees to do so. The key in setting up is to block out all outside sources of light so you have just the desired amount of lighting coming just from your own sources and also setting up the screen and stretching it out as tight as possible so you won't see any creases or snags in the mate...

How To: Execute a basic 3 point lighting setup

One popular way to use light in photography is with a three point lighting setup. In this tutorial, learn how to set up three point lights in portrait photography and get the most flattering shot of your subject. There is an art to making people look good and proper lighting is very important. So, if you have your equipment and are ready to start assembling it all, have a look at this instructional clip and follow the step by step to get started.

News: The Spectacular SFX of Iron Man 2

I don't know about you, but I've been counting down the days until the release of Iron Man 2. And that day is finally here. For those of us who won't make it to the theater until tonight, here's a little sneak preview for you, courtesy of NYC SFX house Perception.

How To: Make a LEGO stop-motion movie

In this how to video, you will learn how to make a LEGO stop motion movie. First, you must create your set. The base plate must be taped down to the table or a hard surface. To create the animation, move the LEGO man's leg and take a picture. Move it again and take another picture. Keep on doing this until he reaches the destination you want. The more pictures you take the smoother the video will be. To edit the animation, import it to your computer and open up your movie editing program of c...

How To: Make a super cannon arm movie prop/effect

This is a video tutorial that is showing its audience how to make a super cannon arm. The first thing you need is a plastic jug, a switch, a wire, a wooden dowel, spray paint, a tap light, nick nacks, foam lining, and a pin light. The plastic jug will be the casing, cut out a hole for the lightsource and a hole for your arm cannon. Spray paint the jug. Make the handle with the wooden dowel. Then screw the handle into place with two screws into your plastic jug. Once you put the handle in then...

News: James Cameron to Shoot Alien Lifeforms in 3D

How do you top a movie like Avatar? James Cameron's recent release pioneered in 3D technology, and was the first film to gross more than $2 billion, as well as being the highest grossing 3D movie of all time. What do you do after wrapping up a project like that? Well, Cameron's current plans truly place him at the crossroads of science and art. Cameron has paired up with NASA to shoot Mars in 3D.

How To: Make an easy, cheap green screen with no posterboard

In this video you learn how to make your own green screen for less than $15 in under an hour. The material for the screen is a green felt-like fabric that can be easily found at a local fabric store or Wal-Mart. The fabric itself is just over 1 yard in width and you will need to buy 2 sheets 3 yards in length for a total of 6 yards at a price of about $2.00 per yard. You will also need a way to join the sheets together. For this, the video recommends a tube of Heat'n'Bond fabric joiner which ...

How To: Use auto exposure on a video camera

Want to move quickly from indoor to outdoor shooting environments without having to futz with the manual controls on your video camera to adjust for the disparate light levels? If so, you should give your camera's automatic exposure feature a whirl. For more information on using your digital camera's auto exposure tool, watch this free cinematographer's guide.

How To: Use gain and neutral density on a video camera

A common problem when shooting in low-light situations is that even if you open your lens to its lowest f-stop number, you're left with an image that's far too dark. One obvious remedy is to add more light. But what if you don't have more lights available to you? That's where the gain increase switch comes in. This free video cinematographer's guide will show you how to use digital gain settings to amplify available light to get better shots in less-than-ideal environments.

How To: Make a green screen using your TV

To create a green screen, open up the program Sony Vegas. Now go to media generators. On the left hand side of your screen there should be a list with the link solid color right in the middle. Click on that and a menu with a variety of different colored boxes will appear. Double click on green. A menu will pop up so that you can adjust the shade of green just by moving the vertical line to the left or right. After choosing the appropriate shade, save the green box as either a video or picture...

How To: Make a fish man movie or Halloween costume

The video is an episode of Indy Mogul. It opens with a man who tells us the topic of this show is to help people make fake prosthetics for a fish-man costume for Halloween. After an intro showing us that the show is about making homemade special effects and props on a cheap budget and a disclaimer the show tells us the ingredients we'll need to make the prosthetics. They are: clay, sunglasses, latex sheet, quarter-inch foam, styrofoam head and bald cap, and liquid latex. The show then demonst...

How To: Create a lighting setup for an interview

When shooting a traditional-style interview, one of your jobs as cinematographer is to think about lighting so the viewing audience doesn't have to — that is, the lighting should serve and most not distract from the subject. This free cinematography lesson presents a number of tips for lighting a person whom you intend interview on camera.

How To: Ace an acting audition for a film

Acting auditions are stressful, and are different depending on what type of project you are trying out for. In this tutorial, get tips from working actors on how to audition for a film or TV show. Learn how to work the camera, emote, and read your lines the way casting directors want you to. Follow these tips and break a leg! See you on the silver screen!

How To: Brand yourself and become a movie star

Whether you are an actor or a toothpaste, branding yourself is the best way to get yourself out there and noticed. By branding yourself you will be remembered. So, if your dream is to become a movie star and you think you have the skills and the look, check out this video and learn how to brand yourself into stardom. You will be signing autographs in no time.

How To: Create a flipbook animation

Flip book animation is a very cool video effect that is relatively easy to make. Check out this tutorial and learn how to make your flip book come alive as an actual cartoon! In this video, graphic designer and author, Alan Lastufka, shows you how to make your very own mini animated film using paper, pencil and some fancy editing technique. If you have a couple of hours to kill, why not make a flip book cartoon and impress your friends?

How To: Light your own web show

In this how-to video, you will learn how to light your web show. This is important as it will make your web show look more professional. Proper lighting allows you to see your face, eyes, and the colors of your shirt. If there is not enough light, you cannot see yourself as well. You will also look dark and grainy. Too much light will cause your face to look too hot. Backlit lighting will cause your face to be too dark because the light is in the background. This is why background lighting is...

How To: Do a quick princess face paint

This video will show you how to face paint a basic princess that is perfect for birthday parties, celebrations and just about anytime. You’ll want to have a basic kit of colors to work with. You’ll be doing some beautiful swirl and jewel on the brow with some winged out eye. Add a heart on the cheek bone and outline for extra interest. Add sparkles or bling to make it really magical. This look is easy and will make any little girl or grown up for that matter really feel like a princess. Do a ...

How To: Choose the right set for your web show

This video shows the method to select the right set for your web show. The video tells us what a set is and its importance in the show. A set is a place for shooting your own show. The set should be designed carefully and properly. A typical set should be bright with various colors. It should not look depressing like a blank wall. Make a set which will look fine on camera. There should be an element of fun in the set. The set should be made to grab the attention of the viewers. The design of ...

How To: Pick a theme for your web show

In this how-to video, you will learn how to pick a theme in order to make your own web show. You must decide what your web show is about. It can be about anything. For example, if you liked dogs, you could do a web show about dogs. If you like eating healthy foods, you could do your web show about healthy foods. Clothes can also be a great theme for a web show. Cool and lame music, cats, lunch meats, cooking, sports, and monkeys are also great themes you can try out for your web show. Your sh...

How To: Become a film or theatre actor

So, you wanna be an actor? It's not as easy as you may think. Check out this four part tutorial from Josa Maule, director of the Montreal School of Performing Arts, and learn everything you need to know to become a successful thespian. Josa takes you through all of the necessary steps and offers plenty of tips. This interesting video is very real and honest, and a must see for anyone looking to get into the biz.

How To: Rotate a video clip using iMovie HD

This video shows us the method to rotate a video clip using iMovie HD. Go to iMoviePlugins and download Turn Clip from it. Also make sure you have iMovie HD installed. Now add the video clip to the timeline. Go to the editing tab and choose Video FX and CFX enhancements. Choose Turn Clip from the resulting window. Now set the rotation angle. This can be configured to 90 degrees or 180 degrees. Click on 'Apply' and the software will render the rotation on the timeline. When everything is done,...

How To: Recreate Freddy Krueger's burnt skin makeup

Okay you saw the super-detailed reproduction of Freddy Krueger's clawed glove, now complete the Freddy costume with this "burning" makeup tutorial. In celebration of the return of "A Nightmare On Elm Street", starring Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger, Indy Mogul's BFX brought out the pain with burnt skin, but they won't burn a hole in your wallet. This burned up skin makeup recreation is the perfect companion for the knived glove. Complete the horrific Freddy look.

How To: Make a reproduction of Freddy Krueger's clawed glove

Freddy's Alive! No, it's not the next part of the Nightmare On Elm Street series, it's the new remake coming out in a theater near you. And in celebration of the return of "A Nightmare On Elm Street", starring Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger, Indy Mogul's BFX made this great how-to video on making a cheap, but super-realistic, highly detailed replication of Freddy's iconic killer clawed glove. If you're a fan of the horror series and Freddy, this is the ultimate fan reproduction to make ...

How To: Use electronic image stabilization on a video camera

This is a video that is showing its audience how to use the electronic image stabilization or digital image stabilization on their digital cameras. Image stabilization is a good function to have on when movement is involved while taking a photo. The video goes over terms such as image stabilization, shutter speed, and contrast. It adequately defines image stabilization and digital stabilization and goes over the problems that consumers might have with the image stabilization mode on their cam...

How To: Light for video to get a filmic look

In this video, Tony Reale describes some cinematography tips for video lighting. He focuses mainly on different ways to capture the look of video. The lighting style he's using in this video is a 2-light setup. One light is reflecting off a foam core and is placed at the right side of the room. The second light is acting as background light and is smaller and placed in the back, right corner of the room. This is a very simple setup and, with a cost of $100-$200, it is an inexpensive, effectiv...

How To: Build a portable green screen for under $30

Special effects are so cool and so..expensive! In this tutorial, learn how to make a portable green screen for very cool effects for less than 30 bucks. This green screen can move with you so you are ready to shoot no matter where you are! Follow these step by step instructions and you will be practicing your Oscar speech in no time.

How To: Set proper white balance on a video camera

When a scene is filmed, problems can occur in the final outcome of a scene if the white balance is not set correctly. If the white balance is off, a scene may look too orange, blue, or the color is just off in general. This video tutorial shows how to set the correct white balance on your video camera. White balance is what the camera considers to be white. Most cameras have white balance presets for both indoor and outdoor. This is because the light we perceive will vary depending on whether...