Hot Film & Theater Posts
Boxwars: Serious Cardboard Anger Management
Forget video games. Go outside. Get some fresh air. Get out a little anger while you're at it. Play Boxwars.
News: LEGOmation
Brickfilms. Michel Gondry brought LEGOmation into the spotlight with his "Fell in Love With a Girl" music video (White Stripes). However, LEGOmation has been around since the late 80's, the first known brickfilm being Lindsay Fleay's The Magic Portal.
How To: Use black wrap for film lighting equipment
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding lighting, gripping and gaffing. Mike's soul screams for Rosco's magic Cinefoil wrap (aka Black Wrap, aka shroud-of-death wrap). Made from black holes. Learn what it's used for and how to use it! It's really just thick black aluminum foil with heat protection. The easiest and cheapest lighting accessory.
How To: Use Kino Flo lighting systems on a film set
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding film lighting. See how to use these super cool (literally and figuratively) lights called Kino lights. These fluorescent Kino Flos are perfect for when you want soft, even light that doesn't draw much power. Get the details on how to set them up!
How To: Build a guerilla-style camera dolly
MatttChapman shows you how to build a guerilla-style camera dolly to add to your filmmaking bag of tricks. This guerilla dolly is so simple, made with a rain gutter and cover from a local hardware store. This is ingenuity at its best. Don't spend a ton of money for a dolly to simply pan, build this rain gutter dolly!
How To: Create an oozing fake wound
The cost of acrylic paint and corn syrup? Minimal. Freaking out your friends beyond all reason? Priceless.
How To: Make a black cat costume
Make a splash at your next masquerade party with this purr-fect black cat costume. You Will Need
How To: Make a sword out of foam
Poke, jab, and stab your opponent without taking out an eye. You Will Need
News: Shoot Lasers Ghostbusters-Style
Send the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man back to the world of s'mores and hot cocoa this Halloween. This complete Ghostbusters costume from Instructables user Depot Devoid is like the real-life movie prop. You can shoot "laser" particle beams at ghosts with the Proton Pack, and capture them with the Muon Ghost Trap. There's even a set of Ecto Goggles to complete the outfit.
How To: Use a C-stand on a film set
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding grip gear. Century Stands, more commonly referred to as C-stands or grip stands, are the most commonly used film equipment and can be seen on virtually every film set. C-stands are a grips best friend! And their not just for aiding set lighting, but can be used for multiple purposes. It's super handy! Use a C-stand on a film set.
How To: Make a static zombie Halloween prop
Scary Jerry shows you how to improve your Halloween decorations this year with his static zombie Halloween prop. It's split up into two parts, so watch both to make sure you get all of the details on making this life-sized zombie prop.
How To: Make a black light ghost Halloween prop
Scary Jerry shows you how to improve your Halloween decorations this year with his black light ghost Halloween prop. This is a cool looking ghost that creates a scary looking effect thanks to the black light.
How To: Record sound properly with the right microphone
Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding sound recording. Not all microphones are created equal... some are small, some are big, but all have their advantages. Depending on the scenario, of course. There's the lavalier mic, and the handheld, and the shotgun mic. See how to record sound properly with the right microphone. Record sound properly with the right microphone.
How To: Make a Werewolf costume
Don't wait for a full moon to unleash your inner beast. Get your growl on with these tips on creating the ultimate werewolf mask.
News: Sick. Decapitating-Head-Exploding Paper Animation (NSFW!)
VIDEOGIOCO, an insane animation by Donato Sanson and Enrico Ascoli. Careful. Definitely NSFW, particularly in the 0:30 range.
News: Björk Rides Magnificent Waves of Clay
Whether you love Björk or you hate her, her Wanderlust music video is must-not-miss. Created by Encyclopedia Pictura, a California based production company, the video combines live action, puppets, scale models, and computer generated animation.
How To: Record proper sound levels on a digital camcorder
Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding sound recording. Learn to set the sound levels in your camera properly. Learn that your 'dynamic range' has nothing to do with how quickly the post-coffee you goes from excitable to annoying. Record proper sound levels on a digital camcorder.
News: This Weekend, 40 Foot Marionettes Invade Berlin
This past weekend Berlin celebrated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall with a visit from France's Royal de Luxe street theatre company.
How To: Create a ghastly exposed muscle makeup look
Learn how to do a makeup look "exposed muscle" with Petrilude. Petrilude (aka Josh) is a guy that does makeup. You may think taking makeup tips from a guy is strange, but Petrilude is a talented makeup artist. If you are looking for party makeup looks, great for going out to the club, check out Petrilude's makeup tutorials. Search Petrilude on WonderHowTo for more amazing beauty looks: party makeup, club makeup, drag queen makeup, halloween makeup, costume makeup, goth makeup, and more.
How To: Make a Transformers costume
If you're a little boy (or a little kid at heart), then Transformers are like the coolest thing ever. They're super hot cars, trucks or bikes that then transform into super hot robots with missles and impenetrable armor and all that jazz. Make your son's favorite transforming robots a reality by dressing him up as a Transformer this Halloween.
How To: Make a great witch costume
The witch is the blue-chip stock of Halloween costumes — reliable return, low risk. You Will Need
How To: Set up eye lights when shooting a film/video
Mike and Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" have some tips regarding production, specifically... cinematography and gaffing.
How To: Use bright set lights without hurting anybody's eyes
Mike and Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" have some tips regarding production. Set Safety: 'Striking!' Don't burn a dude or dudette's eyes out of their head, man. Say 'striking!' or 'sparking!' when you turn on a lamp! Workplace safety is important because you could get killed or injure somebody else of a film set. Use bright set lights without hurting anybody's eyes.
How To: Use proper walkie-talkie lingo on a film set
Mike and Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" have some tips regarding production. Learn how to use proper walkie-talkie lingo on a film set. On-set walkie jargon is A-okay, for the most part. Watch as Mike and Rajo rap their way through this radio communications tutorial. Use proper walkie-talkie lingo on a film set.
How To: Construct Boba Fett's knee armor from Star Wars
Did you know that Boba Fett was actually "the next major villain" after Darth Vader in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back? All the more reason to start your Boba Fett costume. Whether for fun or for film, this is a good thing to make for any Star Wars fan. Watch this nine-part video tutorial to learn how to construct Boba Fett's knee armor from Star Wars.
How To: Make a nun costume
Whether you're a sinner or a saint, making a nun costume for Halloween requires no divine intervention.
How To: Make a pirate costume
Prepare for adventure on the high seas by making your very own pirate costume. You Will Need
How To: Make a storyboard
Making a storyboard before shooting a movie is like drawing a blueprint before grabbing a hammer and nails. Do it well, and make sure your film is structurally sound.
How To: Achieve smoother pans on a camera with a rubber band
brusspup has tons of ingenious tips and tricks for everybody! In this video tutorial, he shows you how to achieve smoother pans on a camera with a rubber band.
How To: Create better home movies
Welcome to Digital Issues, your guide to help make a digital life a little less painful. In this video tutorial, Digital Issues covers how to create better home movies.
How To: Shoot low-angle footage
This how-to video offers some pointers on how to take footage from a low angle. This technique captures a unique perspective neglected by traditional methods of film-making. The principle is simple, flip the camera and go. Check out this video lesson and learn how to shoot low angle footage.
How To: Make a one-camera shoot look like multi-cams
It's easy when Jamie-B from Total Recall Films takes an in-depth look at filming and editing techniques you can easily use to make your next film look and feel professional using a well know technique called "tricking the camera" -- and the viewer. Watch to see how to make a one-camera shoot look like multi-cams.
How To: Get photos from video with iMovie & Final Cut Pro 6
Forgot to take a few production stills on set? No problem, work with what you have... the actual video footage. See how to get photos from video with iMovie or Final Cut Pro 6.
How To: Do traveling shots, Sam Raimi style
Mike and Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" have some tips regarding production, specifically... cinematography.
How To: Make a low-budget steadicam from cast iron or lightweight PVC for under $30
Forget expensive steadicams! Save money on your film budget and make a DIY steadicam that's almost as effective as the real deal. Chappy shows you how to make one for only 30 bucks! You can make this steadycam with parts from your local sporting goods or hardware store.
How To: Do a simple dutch angle camera trick with a tripod
MatttChapman shows you how to add a simple dutch tilt to your filmmaking bag of tricks. Tripods conventionally only pan and tilt, but this trick adds an extra dimension. All you need is a tripod and a camera! It's just a matter of messing with the base plate to get this simple dutch angle.
How To: Write a script for a documentary film
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding screenwriting, specifically... documentary scripts.
How To: Prepare a Monologue
Make your own luck by having a well-prepared monologue in your acting arsenal. This video acting lesson will teach you some steps for breaking down a monologue into a context that will give you a better understanding of the character, allowing you to enhance your skills. Delivering a monologue doesn't have to be intimidating, so with a little prep work and the steps in this how-to video, you'll be preaching those lines in no time.
How To: Do a dolly zoom in-camera effect shot, Sam Raimi style
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" have some tips regarding a few in-camera trick shots, specifically... the dolly zoom.
She was born a He: How to speak like a Man or Woman
Since Oprah has introduced the Pregnant Man, awareness and recognition of transgenderism has grown. Kandi here shows us one popular transition: from male to female. She's created a library of thorough voice lessons geared to the transgender community, but are in no way limited to it. Her lessons in annunciation, falsetto and modulation are pinpoint accurate.