Hot Film & Theater Posts
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: Make a fake tree for a play
Well it's time to put on the school play! This year, the school's going to put on Chekov's "The Cherry Tree". Only problem? You have no tree. Well, this helpful how to will guide you through the steps to make a light, portable tree that will turn your school play on its head.
How To: Create bullet and gunshot special effects in a film
If you want high action in your film, that probably means a gunfight. But how you can you really 'sell' the exchange of gunfire to your audience? Here are a few tricks you can use in Photoshop and Premiere to replicate guns and bullets.
How To: Record live video direct from camcorder to computer
Bill Myers shows us how to record live video direct to your computer from your camcorder. You will need: long firewire cable, camcorder with firewire output, computer. Procedure: Connect one end of the firewire cable to your camcorder, then connect the other end to your computer. Start your video editing program. Turn the audio down on your speakers to avoid feedback. Turn your camcorder on then check the capture option in your screen. Record the video then hit the stop button when you're fin...
How To: Build a fake rock movie prop
We all know that movies now-a-days don't use real rocks, but fake rocks for their film sets. Why? Because it's safer, lighter, easier to movie, and you can design them exactly how you want them. So if you need a rock for your indie film project, make it yourself. There's nothing better than imitation. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a fake rock movie prop.
How To: Make a breakable 2x4 wood board prop
Yes, a smashable board of wood. Just what the propmaster called for. A long 2x4 piece of wood prop is perfect for smashing overtop somebody's head during an action scene. The smashable board is easy to make, too. But not as easy as breaking it. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a breakable 2x4 wood plank prop.
How To: Simulate a gun shot wound special effect
Watch this short tutorial on how to make a realistic bullet hit to simulate an actor getting shot by a gun. Materials needed include a pressure sprayer, clear tubing that will fit on to the hose of the pressure sprayer, a small Translucent PVC elbow, fake blood, duct tape, a funnel, a shirt you don't mind damaging.
How To: Sculpt the face of a polymer clay stop motion armature
This video animation tutorial demonstrates the process of sculpting a human face out of polymer clay as part of an armature for stop motion animation. The demonstrator begins by molding a piece of polymer clay into the general shape of a human skull and neck, and impresses the more finite features with the aid of a flexible sculpting tool. Watch this instructional video and learn how to sculpt the face of a polymer clay stop motion armature.
How To: Build a Tommy Gun prop on a budget
If you're looking to give your Mafia movie a real, authentic, look, but don't have a ton of cash check out this great Indy Mogul Backyard FX video to learn how to build a Tommy Gun. It may not fire bullets, but this fifty dollar prop packs some real punch.
How To: Make your own custom fit vampire fangs at home
You can make your own vampire fangs at home! Or any type of creature fang, really. You'll need to make a mold of your teeth first, which you can do easily by biting into non-toxic clay. Then you can use craft acrylic to mold the fangs to fit your teeth.
How To: Make a pair of Renaissance pants and lower body costume from a thrift store
Want to make a pair of Renaissance pants? You can make a really cool pair of Renaissance pants or fantasy costume pants out of a pair of sweatpants. This tutorial shows you how to pull off this look using the thrift store.
How To: Make a Renaissance or medieval style peasant blouse
This tutorial shows you how to make a Renaissance or medieval costume blouse. You will need a sewing machine and about a yard and a half of fabric. You don't need a pattern, just one of your own shirts to use as a fitting guide.
How To: Shoot low angle moving shots from ground level with a video camera
Low angle shots are a great way to evoke a sense of panic in movies, but if you're trying to get good quality shots from ground level with just your hands, then it's not going to work. The video footage will be all shaky, unless that's another look you're wanting to achieve in your film. If you want steady, fast-tracking low angle footage, then Ritwika has a great trick on taking those ground level moving camera shots. You'll need a monopod, water bottle (with water), 2 rubber bands and your ...
How To: Build your own DIY police taser for your film
If you remember in the Hangover, there was an incredibly funny scene where the guys were stuck getting out of going to prison by helping the officers demonstrate a police tazer in front of a group of kids on a school field trip. If you've ever wanted to make your own prop police tazer for one of your films, check out this hilarious and informative video! In it, you will learn how to create your own police tazer!
How To: Make Deuce's mask from Hollywood Undead
Big fan of Duece from Hollywood Undead? In this tutorial, learn how to make his mask, DIY style, with step by step instructions. In order to complete this project, you will need: pink duct tape, a blank hockey mask, blue spray paint, a knife or razor blade
How To: Make a cardboard shield
In this tutorial you'll learn how to make a cardboard shield, quickly and cheaply. All you need is some stuff you've probably already got around the house. Get to work, so you'll be ready to defend yourself against any barbarian invaders with cardboard swords!
How To: Write better action beats in a screenplay
Writing a script is easy, but writing a script that the Hollywood elite would actually like to pick up is a totally different story. Any aspiring screenwriter will find this information about action in scripts helpful.
How To: Build a cheap and portable green screen
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to build a cheap and portable green screen.
How To: Build a smashable guitar prop
You're not really going to smash that guitar are you? It's a piece of art. Parker put together this tutorial to show how to build a prop guitar you can smash and let out all that rock and roll angst. You will need a glue gun, chess pawns, cardboard, duct tape, a gift box, glue, a garbage can, paper, paint, string, and a ruler. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to build a prop guitar for smashing.
How To: Make a fursuit mask head base using foam
This instructional costume making video shows how to create a fur suit mask head base with foam. Just follow these three simple steps for your fur suit mask: make the base of the mask, make and attach the ears to the base, and make and attach the muzzle and jaw. Watch this fur suit costume making tutorial and you'll soon be ready to start roleplaying.
How To: Build a small and movable stage
In this stage design and construction video series, learn how to build one of those small “portals.” Our expert—a director, actor, and producer himself—will show you tips and techniques for building a small, mobile stage that can be set up anywhere you or your acting troupe decide to give a performance. This step-by-step guide to stage construction includes clips on what tools and materials to use, how to measure and cut the frame, what type of bolts to use for ease of tear down, and how to b...
How To: Make a fake ghost amateur video
This video show you how you can add a fake ghost to an amateur film or home video.
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: Create a DIY Camera Rig (Ultrapod)
This video is going to teach you how to create a video handheld rig that will help stabilize your videos
Start Your Day Off Right: Beautiful Oscar Nominated Short "The Lost Thing"
The Lost Thing is a lovely short written by Shaun Tan and co-directed by Tan and Andrew Ruhemann (executive producer of the fantastic doc My Kid Could Paint That). Based on the award-winning children’s book of the same title (also by Tan), the piece was created over a span of eight years(!) using a mix of CGI and 2D handpainted elements. Tan, whose background is in painting, spent much of the duration "carefully building, texturing and lighting of digitial elements to create a unique aestheti...
How To: Build a cyclorama wall out of concrete and drywall
A cyclorama wall will have a seamless connection between the all the various pieces of the wall, including where it meets the floor. This tutorial shows you how to build your own cyclorama wall using concrete, drywall and white paint.
How To: Widen the eye, mouth, and nose holes on a plastic mask with a woodburning pen
Plastic masks are usually the cheapest that you can get, but their tiny eye and mouth holes impede your use of your organs and can cut you as well. Watch this video to learn how to use a woodburning pen to widen the holes in such as way that they wont' come out sharp and jagged, and will make you Guy Fawkes or other mask much more wearable.
How To: Build a double bladed Darth Maul lightsaber using hardware store parts for $15
Darth Maul and his double lightsaber were by far the coolest part of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. If you've got some DIY knowhow and want a costume / prop lightsaber that will stand out from the pack, watch this video to learn how to make a Darth Maul double lightsaber out of hardware store parts for $15.
How To: Make a dramatic film
This tutorial covers some of the basics of dramatic filmmaking. A drama is a film that is character-driven, using the characters' emotional responses to situations to move the story along. Epic and historical dramas put their characters in historical events. Crime dramas are set within the rules and boundaries of reality, but do not have to be linked with any historical event. These films utilize suspense and action to push the characters through the story. Biopics are motion picture biograph...
How To: Build a P-90 prop gun
The FN P90. Everybody wants one, but more than likely, you can't get your hands on one, especially if it's illegal in your area. Designed by FN Herstal back in the 80's, the P90 personal defense weapon is the cream of the crop. It's full name, Project 90, specifies a weapon system of the 1990's. If you want this firearm for a weapon prop or just to have, you can easily build one yourself with household materials, mostly cardboard. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a P-90 prop ca...
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 professional looking zombie for cheap
This video tutorial gives a detailed way to make a very cheap zombie from a professional make-up artist. It's a benefit of all those wishing to gross out their friends on Halloween or a Star Trek convention. Not only will scaring people be fun, but going through the zombie making process will be tons of fun, also! See how to make a cheap, bloody, gory, dead, and horrific zombie. You can also use this in your independent, low-budget horror films!
How To: Build two lightsabers, make effects, and use the force
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about lightsabers.
How To: Build Battlestar Galactica Cylon arm gauntlet armor
This is part 2 of a 12 part series on how to build a classic Cylon armor. Todays build is on the arm gantlet pieces. This is a part of the BSG Battlestar Galactica Cylon armor.
How To: Create and animate a stop motion LEGO brickfilm
Create and animate a stop motion LEGO brickfilm! Yes, that's right... you can make your very own animated brickfilm, but wait... what exactly is a brickfilm? Brickfilms are animated films using LEGO, Mega Bloks, or other plastic construction building block toys. Most are stop motion, but some brickfilms are even made with CGI, traditional animation and live action.
How To: Hack a prop ghost to fly continuously for Halloween
Check out this instructional video to learn how to hack a prop ghost to fly continuously for your Halloween display.
How To: Make a sailor fuku, school uniform for cosplaying
Watch this step by step costume making tutorial to learn how to make a cool Japanese sailor styled school uniform. This video is suitable for numerous characters like Sailormoon, Suzumiya Haruhi, Azumanga, and more. This how to video is great for costume designers, cosplayers, and anime enthusiats.
How To: Apply a "Two Face" from Batman makeup look
It's summertime and blockbuster films are everywhere! In anticipation of the new Dark Night movie, Erik is showing you how to recreate some serious chemical burns on your face! With the help of this tutorial video, you will look just like Harvey Dent aka Two Face!
How To: Make Naruto shoes for cosplay
See how easy it is to make your very own Naruto shoes for cosplay! They're cheap, easy to make, and fun! Anime and manga, all the way!
How To: Shoot an amateur film scene underwater
This video provides nifty tips on how you can shoot amateur film scenes underwater using a fish tank.