Hot Film & Theater Posts
How To: Build a DIY professional animation studio
Indy Mogul Weekend Extra peers into the brilliant mind of Javan Ivey, who shows you how to to save thousands of dollars when building your own home animation studio.
How To: Get some mime practice exercise
Mark Wenzel pioneered the concept of mime performances at theme parks, becoming the resident mime at Sea World of San Diego, where he entertained more than a million visitors a year for eight years. Now he trains mimes for all of Sea World's aquatic parks. He shows you some practice exercises in this video series.
How To: Host an Improv comedy show
Les McGehee shows you how to host an Improv comedy show. Part 1 of 21 - How to Host an Improv comedy show.
How To: Put together a pro demo reel
Craig got involved in television at the early age of 7 as an actor for McDonald’s. When he entered high school he founded the “Video Production Department.” In this series of videos he shows you how to put together a pro demo reel.
How To: Do cartoon animation
In this free video series on how to animate drawings, learn the basic techniques and principles behind capturing your artwork.
How To: Draw animations
In this video series on how to draw animated cartoons, learn the fundamental techniques and principles that guide the development of any animation idea.
How To: Improve comedy techniques
In this video series, let comedian Les McGehee school you in the art of humor as he teaches you how to do improv comedy. Learn different improvisational techniques and games, how to apply those techniques to different situations, and how to use the art of improv comedy to make people laugh.
How To: Mime
Pat Fenda shows us the basics of Mime and tips ,techniques of acting through Mime. Part 1 of 60 - How to Mime.
How To: Write a movie script
In this series of screenwriting videos, our experienced Hollywood actor, screen writer and producer tells you how to write a movie script. Ron Becks guides you through each step in the creation of your masterpiece, from creating characters and settings to developing the plot and theme patterns to establishing conflicts and resolutions at just the right time in your movie.
How To: Make a movie
In this free film making series, veteran producer Scott duPont will go through the steps of production once the money is in place. Scott will also point out the mistakes many first-time film producers make, which can cost huge amounts of money and slow down the production. Learn about creating shot lists and storyboards as well as how to edit your movie.
How To: Use different microphones to get different results
This is a great video that breaks down the different types of microphones available and how you can use them to get different results or resolve different problems. If you use the right microphone, your videos will come out that much better.
How To: Cut and edit video footage
This video talks about cutting techniques. Bear in mind that you will need to have lots of coverage of the same scene if you plan to do editing, so you have multiple angle options. Israel Hyman, an Arizona-based videographer, shows you how to edit your footage in this tutorial.
How To: Use video filters
This is certainly not all-encompassing, nor is it very complex. It’s a simple before and after demonstration of different video filters. It does tell you what each filter does and how it works so you'll know when to use it. Check out Israel's tutorials for lots of great tips and ideas! Use video filters.
How To: Use exposure when shooting videos
Have you ever found your video images over-exposed? Or under-exposed?
How To: Use different shot types when filming
Do your videos lack emotional impact? Do you wonder about the framing options that could be use to produce a better video image? This episode of Izzy Video covers the Framing Terms for different types of shots and how to use them.
How To: Use F-Stop when shooting videos
Not sure what F-Stop is? Israel Hyman's tutorial goes over the details of what an F-Stop is and how it works. This will also answer some questions you may have regarding both exposure and depth-of-field.
How To: Use lines to create a more interesting image
This Israel Hyman's video demonstrates how using lines can create a more interesting image. This technique is an easy one to learn, and it’s one you can immediately use whether you’re shooting home or formal video. The principles of cinematography are universal.
How To: Focus video image using blur
You can use a Gaussian Blur in a number of ways, but Israel Hyman's purpose in this video podcast is simply to expose you to some new possibilities. It’s a brief Izzy Video because he's just throwing out some ideas. In the future, he’ll show how to create the effect.
How To: Make digital video look more like film
Digital video image often lacks the tonality of a film image, but there are ways to make videos look more like film. Israel Hyman will show you how in this tutorial.
How To: Capture better color when shooting videos
One challenge in shooting miniDV video is capturing good color. 3-chip cameras are way better than 1-chip cameras but they are also more expensive. No matter what type you have, remember lighting is still important. In this video Israel Hyman shows you how to capture better color with your camcorder.
How To: Use three point lighting
Does your video look flat? By using Three Point Lighting, you will be able to give your flat video more dimension. In this tutorial, Israel Hyman demonstrates the effects of the key light, the fill light, and the back light. This is a long standing lighting technique that you definitely should know if you plan on shooting any type of video.
How To: Fix problematic video with cut away shots
Have an error in your video? Fix it with Cut Away shots! Israel Hyman, an Arizona-based videographer, will show you how.
How To: Improve outdoor interview imagery
Many people like to interview subjects outside because they enjoy the look of sunlight over tungsten lights. However, it can be difficult to work with such an uncooperative key light. In this Israel Hyman video are some ideas which can help you improve your outdoor interview imagery.
How To: Create continuity and screen direction
“Continuity and Screen Direction” is all about the one simple principle of keeping the screen direction of the subjects the same from one shot to another in a sequence. It’s a fundamental principle and knowing how to get it right will make your videos much better and more professional.
How To: Create dolly shots
This video is all about creating dolly shots. If you have ever wondered about how to use and control this type of shot, then let Israel Hyman show you. This is a great alternative to zooming in and out which is unnatural for our eyes.
How To: Create natural transitions while recording a movie
This video demonstrates an easy way to create natural transitions. The key is to have the subject enter and exit the frame during different shots. This keeps a level of continuity that makes your movie easier to follow and easier to edit!
How To: Use soft and hard light when shooting videos
In this video podcast episode, Izzy describes hard and soft light and how it affects shadows. He also demonstrates how to soften sunlight when shooting videos.
How To: Do makeup for bruises, black eyes, and missing teeth
The guys from Indy Mogul show how you to make beat up fx for your films. Learn how to make bruises, black eyes, and missing teeth to make your actors look like they've really been in a fight.
How To: Synchronize timecode for a multi-camera shoot
Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, gives us some quick tips on how to sync timecode for multi-camera footage. He shows you how to sync multi-camera footage using cameras that support free run and cameras that don't.
How To: Light and set a cyclorama shot
A cyclorama shot is a 360 degree panoramic, photographic view of a scene. It's set on a cylindrical platform and is designed to make the viewer feel like he is standing in the middle of it all. A cyclorama shot is a really cool thing to embark on in photography or film.
How To: Assemble and shoot with a jib
Matt gets jibby with it! The Shirtless Apprentice teaches you how to assemble, adjust, and use a junior jib on your next film shoot.
How To: Light a two-person interview
Learn how to frame and block an over-the-shoulder shot as Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, demonstrates the use of cutters to block lens flair.
How To: Shoot a dolly zoom shot
The dolly zoom shot is also known as the Vertigo Effect in filming. It's that dizzying, slightly unstable camera effect you see in shows like "Glee" and sometimes "The Office." It creates audience confusion, thus forcing them to keep watching in interest.
How To: Create dramatic lighting effects
Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, demonstrates how to create dramatic lighting effects on a budget. This episode will help you to develop control of your audiences attention.
How To: Capture audio for a sit down interview
In this episode, the Shirtless Apprentice gives a brief overview of the equipment and technique to capturing audio for a sit down interview.
How To: Preserve continuity when shooting a film
Continuity is an underrated and more importantly, overlooked aspect to multi-cut scenes. Many films, television programs and internet videos forget its importance. So this week, The Shirtless Apprentice give his tips on the subject as he sits down and has a romantic candlelit dinner with continuity.
How To: Use a sun gun when shooting a film
In this episode, The Shirtless Apprentice gives us some tips and information on how to use one of the most versatile and under appreciated tools in a videographer"s arsenal, the sungun! Matt compares two types of sunguns, incandescent and L.E.D., and weighs the benefits of each.
How To: Shoot b-roll footage
In this episode of The Shirtless Apprentice, Matt is on location to discuss some more tips for shooting internet video, specifically directed towards capturing B-Roll. Take a look at our links section for more shooting tips!
How To: Choose the right frame rate for your online video
In this invigorating exercise, the Shirtless Apprentice leads us through the beautiful pastures of frame rates. Watch as Matt explains the intricacies of selecting the correct frame rate for your online video.
How To: Set up three point lighting for shooting video
In this illuminating episode of the Shirtless Apprentice, Matt walks you step by shirtless step through the three point lighting technique as he explains the relationship between the key light, fill light, and how to give your subject some pop with an overhead backlight.