Hot Film & Theater Posts
How To: Organize footage for editing with help from Sean Astin
Sean Astin hosts AFI's filmmaking tutorial series, LIGHTS, CAMERA, EDUCATION! In this segment, we explore the importance of organizing for the editing process and how to import your footage to a computer.
How To: Storyboard your script with help from Sean Astin
Sean Astin hosts AFI's filmmaking tutorial series, LIGHTS, CAMERA, EDUCATION! In this segment, we explore the importance and how-to of storyboarding your film or video.
How To: Pitch your film with help from Sean Astin
Sean Astin hosts AFI's filmmaking tutorial series, LIGHTS, CAMERA, EDUCATION! Here, we explore "The Pitch" or presenting your ideas for your film script.
How To: Create better lighting for your film project
Xander and Calvin give some helpful tips on how to light your films and videos! You can use common household lamps or ones at the hardware store. Remember, safety, get some workgloves.
How To: Capture better sound for your film projects
Xander and Calvin go over some ways to help get great sound for your films and videos! This is a great short video with some great tips for making the best sound possible for your low budget, indie film.
How To: Set up basic lighting for your film
In this episode, Peter and I talk about Lighting. We go over the different types of light and show examples of each.
How To: Use basic composition in a single camera setup
This episode of Take Zer0 discusses the differences between the multi-camera format used in television, and the single-camera setup most often used in film production. Since it's likely that indie filmmakers have access to only one camera, we will explain and offer examples of how to efficiently shoot multiple takes with one camera to convey a single action.
How To: Describe action in a film script
How To Describe Action In A Film Script: This video provides you with the screenwriting basics to getting action down on paper. VideoJug shows you these tips which will send you on your way to Hollywood, so learn how to describe action in a film script with us. Describe action in a film script.
How To: Format dialogue in a film script
How To Format Dialogue In A Film Script: Writing a good script is one thing - but writing a professional-looking script is another. However good your ideas are, you'll never make it to Hollywood unless you master the basics of formatting and laying out your dialogue properly. Watch this VideoJug film for our handy guide to the basics or formatting dialogue in a film script. Format dialogue in a film script.
How To: Make your own vampire fangs
Scare the crap out of your folks with this one. Or scare the crap out of your audience if you're making a low budget film, because these suckers will impress. Realistic vampire fangs! You can't beat them.
How To: Build a puppet from scratch
Check out this video to learn how to build a puppet from scratch,
How To: Make fake breakable glass, also known as sugar glass
Want to crack a bottle over your friends head, but you don't really want to hurt him? Okay, well, you won't learn that here, but you will learn how to make breakable glass to knock him over the head with a pasta dish. Sugar glass, yeah!
How To: Apply Halloween blood and latex skin effects
This clip, without sound (boo hoo), shows you how to apply those latex skin fx for the perfect Halloween gushing scar or pinchbeck movie scar.
How To: Make a leveled camera holder for self recording
To record yourself from a distance with a video camera, build this. Not just for boring static shots, like using a tripod, but for moving shots that you can take along with you. Yes, now you can follow yourself around all day, taping every move, you narcissist.
How To: Avoid bad audio for your indie film project
Bad audio is a plague! It must be eradicated! Here are some common examples of bad audio, and how to better it. External Microphones, getting the mic closer to the subject, removing any other noise in the room, and several other examples are shown.
How To: Find and use free public domain footage for your movie
Here's how to find and use Free Public Domain Movies and old TV commercials in your work. Also in this episode, a few inexpensive utilities that will convert video formats so they are ready for editing in your editing program of choice.
How To: Find cheap and cool DIY lighting for your film
Continuing on with budget lighting, we explore using Fluorescent and LED lights, along with using available light, bouncing it with a reflector. These setups will work great for interviews, video casting, vlogging, and the likes. These lights use less power and also generate much less heat then big halogen work lights, and the price can't be beat. We also show the benefits of adjusting white balance on your camera, with lots of before and after shots. If you are shooting independent movies, s...
How To: Make fake skin easily for your Halloween haunting
Make fake skin for your Halloween fun, just like we did when I was a kid! Use it for fake cuts, burns, and other ghoulish fun! Or use it to cover up those ghastly birthmarks.
How To: Make bloody cuts and slashes for Halloween
Special effect makeup, at home and easy. Make fake cuts and slashes for your Halloween haunting! Or any other day of the year, especially Valentine's Day.
How To: Light a scene properly
Take Zer0 covers the topic of lighting, again, because lighting is and always will be an expansive area. We begin by describing the reasons why proper lighting will help to accentuate a scene. And lastly is a visual demonstration of how one common lighting technique can be applied.
How To: Edit film as a beginner
Peter from Take Zer0 tells you all the little things he knows about how to properly cut your footage together. He'll ramble about stuff like "leading the viewer's eye" and "cut between movement"—principles of movie editing. For some reason, though, Sean keeps interrupting him; and later on, Peter steps outside to look at a lawn gnome.
How To: Rip a heart out of someone's chest for fun - or movies
If you've seen Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, you'll know one of the greatest special effects of the film is where Mola Ram rips the heart out of someone's chest. In this episode of Backyard FX, Erik recreates that effect with the help of his family members. Don't forget to check out our previous episode on how to create a fake heart.
How To: Storyboard your films
Unless it's a scene with so many punches and kicks and explosions, storyboarding an entire movie or short isn't a requirement. However, it can be of use anyway; especially if your movie calls for seventy different shots that you can't all remember; or if you need a visual reference to hand to your crew.
How To: Build your own DIY camera dolly
Does your production need the smooth graceful movement of a dolly, but lack the $1,800 it would cost to buy one? Welcome the DIY Dolly! Watch this episode, as Erik and Jared show you how to build your very own dolly.
How To: Build Kano's Mortal Kombat metal cyborg face
Are you a big Mortal Kombat fan? Do you need a cool terminator or cyborg effect? Do you love Hannah Montana? If you answered "YES" to any of these questions then you need to watch this episode!
How To: Design and build cheap demon wings
If you watched the Demon Makeup episode and wanted more, then you really need to see this episode! Erik shows you how to make life-sized demon wings that you can wear. Dust off your pitchfork and press play.
How To: Create realistic wounds and stitches
In this episode of BFX, Erik shows you how to create a gross and realistic gash that you can stitch up. It looks so good you can even stitch it up on camera! Plus Gary eats a sandwich and an homage to the Simpsons! What else could you want?
How To: Make an acrylic special effects eye with a mold kit
This short video is on how to use your new Eye Mold Kit from Ken Banks. It's simple and easy, and it makes a great looking acrylic eye for any special effect.
How To: Build your own ten foot long camera dolly track
Need some smooth pan shots for your indie film? How about a cool dolly zoom effect? Well, you don't need to be a professional filmmaker to use such a device, but you do need the money for the gear. But—if you can work your way around the workshop, you can probably build your own camera dolly and track just fine. And for under $100! This video shows you how to build your own DIY dolly and dolly track, and all you need are the parts listed below. Then you just need to learn the art of the dolly...
How To: Make a shoebox lens for your camera
You can make a great picture effect with just an ordinary shoe box, some paint, a magnifying glass, and a piece of plastic. Try this for a great camera lens trick.
How To: Make super smooth pan shots with your camera tripod
Want to have super smooth pan shots? Yes? Well, all you need is some simple, stretched out, rubber bands. That's it.
How To: Make a costume wig out of pasta for cosplay
James Saint James, author of Party Monster, teaches you how to make a wig out of green vermicelli. Yes, really. Host is Lenora Claire. Great tutorial for those interested in cosplay.
How To: Make tentacle face costume makeup for cosplay
James St. James, author of Party Monster, teaches you how to make a tentacle face makeup prosthetics...out of cereal! Your host for the show is Lenora Claire. Perfect tutorial for those interested in cosplay. Use liquid latex, which you can get at any theatrical supply store.
How To: Create storm trooper armor with vacuum forms
Learn the basics of vacuum forming to create storm trooper costume items.
How To: Make things disappear in a video
A short video on how to make things disappear by using a simple editing trick.
How To: Fake a severed finger with bubble gum
Here is an easy and cheap way to fake a realistic finger partially cut off. Just need bubble gum and makeup. Very good tip to scare your friends or just make an evil prank.
How To: Use camera stabilization equipment
In this episode, we dive into the expensive, or, at the least, tedious realm of camera stabilization equipment. This ranges from the all-powerful, all-knowing fluid tripod head, to the much used and often abused dolly. We don't own and operate an actual Steadicam or a jib or a crane, but hey, we'll mention them, too.
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.