Hot Film & Theater Posts
How To: Make a Steadycam stabilizer out of an old mic stand
You can take an old mic stand and turn it into your own DiY camera stabilizers! This quick tutorial shows you how to take this piece of relatively inexpensive equipment, a little extra hardware, and put together your own Steadycam.
How To: Record your audio separately when shooting video with a Canon DSLR
Many professional videographers record their audio separate from their video. This tutorial shows you the best equipment to make your finished clips and film as professional as possible. Make sure you have a post production program like Final Cut Pro which will allow you to sync up your tracks.
How To: Adapt your Glidecam to fit with your Steadycam Vest
You have a great Glidecam and a Merlin vest fit for Steadycam... now what? You can easily adapt your two pieces of equipment to help them sync up. All you need is a few pieces of extra hardware to make it work.
How To: Balance your camera stabilizer, flycam or glidecam
If you're still having problems balancing your camera stabilizer, whether it's a Glidecam, Flycam or other piece of equipement, this tutorial is for you. There are a couple tips you can use to keep your camera steady while you're filming.
News: Born With Three Mouths
Okay, been a bit rampant with the twisted animations lately (exhibits A, B, C), but this is too amazing to pass up. By photographer and filmmaker Alva Bernadine, behold the magic of After Effects:
How To: Use alternative animation techniques such as greenscreen and light painting
Add a little animation to your live action shots! This tutorial shows you a few alternative techniques, such as adding in backgrounds using a greenscreen or incorporating light painting into your film. Make sure you shoot at the highest megapixel setting possible.
How To: Get a macro shot with any lens when using a DSLR camera
This is a great tip that will save you quite a lot of money on camera lenses. No matter what lens you are using, this video shows you how to get a good macro shot. All you need are special filters that go on top of your lens.
How To: Frame an interview shot for maximum effectiveness
This tutorial focuses on framing your shot, especially when you're planning to film an interview. However, this also touches on how you can frame people for the greatest effectiveness in your shot. Be aware of what is both inside and without the frame, as well as headroom.
How To: Build a DiY rig for your DSLR when filming interviews
How to film an interview properly? This tutorial shows you everything, from tripod to audio to accessories, that can maximize effectiveness when you're filming an interview. This is a top-heavy rig, so is really idea when you don't have to move it.
How To: Set up the presets on your Canon 7D for filming video
Your Canon 7D camera can film in video as well as take still photographs, however, the settings will be different. To get the best picture quality possible, here is how you can set up your camera's presets when filming in live action.
How To: Shoot a time lapse film with a digital camera
Time lapse photography is a common film technique to capture subtle processes, such as star movement or sunst. This tutorial shows you all the equipment you'll need, how to set your camera up properly, and how to string it together for a film.
How To: Manipulate the audio clips in Final Cut Pro using keyframes
This tutorial covers the basics of manipulating audio in Final Cut Pro by using keyframes. Add fade outs, fade ins, adjust the volume up or down, and even edit out the sounds of breathing or other small flaws in sound.
How To: Improve the sound for your low budget movies without a wireless mic
Don't have a wireless mic or a boom mic? Still want to improve the audio quality of your films? All you need is an inexpensive mp3 recorder, which you can easily tape underneath your clothes, or wherever else you need it to be.
How To: Make your own ring light at home
You don't need to buy an expensive ring light, you can make your own at home. You'll need a sheet of sturdy plywood, a pencil, some string, a dimmer switch, the light bulb sockets, some electrical wire, a drill and some hardware.
How To: Use Apple Color's secondary color correction to adjust skin tones
Secondary color correction is used mostly to adjust the skin tones of people in your film. This tutorial show you how Apple Color lets you quickly and easily adjust the skin tones of the actors and actresses in your film project.
How To: Set up and properly operate your MiniDV Steadycam
Get a MiniDV Steadycam recently? This is a lightweight, easy to use and portable stabilizer usable with most camcorders on the market today. Set it up quickly, and learn how you can use it to best effects when filming your next project.
How To: Use a follow focus or z focus when filming with a digital camera
Still wondering why you need a follow focus for your digital camera? Curious about how it works, or how you can get the most out of yours? This video has the answers! Learn everything you need to know about the z focus.
How To: Shoot a time lapse shot in high definition using the Stage Zero dolly
Time lapse is a dynamic filming technique, and can be even more interesting if the camera is moving while it films. You can achieve this effect by using the Dynamic Perception Stage Zero Dolly, MX2 DollyShield and Pentax K7, and this tutorial shows you how.
How To: Make your own DIY shoulder rig for less than forty dollars
The hardware you will need is: two tubes of 15mm aluminum, sheath pipe insulation, rubber plugs for chair legs, super glue or epoxy, media plumbing tape, and assorted hardware - screws and bolts. A craft knife will also be useful.
How To: Choose the right mic to use with your digital camera
The mic you use will affect the quality and sound of the audio for your digital film project. The in-camera mic is usually not enough, so you'll need to buy some extras. But which ones are the best, and how to use them?
How To: Choose the right lenses and equipment for filming a wedding or special event
Filming a wedding soon? What if you can only bring one lens with you to an event? This tutorial shows you the various video camera lenses you can use, and which ones are the best to use when filming a wedding or other special event.
How To: Use an EOS stabilizer with your digital cameras
Are stabilizers worth the investment? Which one is the best? How can you get the most out of the stabilizer you already have? This tutorial provides the answers to all these questions, and more! Decide which stabilizer is right for your camera and budget.
How To: Shoot a wedding ceremony in a church
Most weddings happen in churches, and of course everyone wants to capture the moment on film. If you're going to be the photographer for an indoor church wedding, this tutorial is for you. Choose the right kind of camera and settings to make your pictures and film as professional and memorable as possible.
How To: Get the best sound when filming with a DSLR
Digital SLRs are known for their high image quality, but what about audio? This panel discussion shows you how you can set up your shots and equipment to ensure you get the best possible audio for your next film project.
News: Welcome To My Nightmare
Cyriak's latest animation features '50s stock footage remixed into a horror show. Our dark and twisted animator keeps churning them out, each creepier than the last. Be warned: "a journey into horribleness, not recommended for the faint-hearted or fragile-minded..." More by Cyriak:
News: Sit Back and Watch... 'Twas a Dark, Dark Christmas
Beautiful animation with a sinister twist by Beijing Motion Graphics house, 39 Degrees North: "We started down a rather unconventional route for our Christmas card this year and there was simply no turning back. The pull of the dark side was just too strong.
How To: Use FD lenses with your high definition digital cameras
This tutorial goes over the Canon manual lenses that are produced with film cameras in mind, but you can buy an adapter to fit them to your digital cameras. This tutorial shows you how to use these FD lenses, and why you would want to.
How To: Make your own green screen for a Chroma Key test
This tutorial shows you how you can make your own do it yourself green screen out of a bed frame, some hardware (a staple gun is key) and a green blanket (or any large length of appropriately colored green gabric).
How To: Use a test card to master the focusing on your digital camera
Focusing can be tricky to get just right, but you can use the Letus mini card to help! This is a quick tutorial that shows you what a test card is and how you can use it to quickly and easily bring your shots into proper focus.
How To: Achieve a shallow depth of field effect in your films
This video shows you how to achieve the 'film look' for your digital projects by adjusting your depth of field to become more shallow. It also demonstrates the difference between the 60i and 24p modes of filming (the video says 30i, but the correct mode is 60i).
How To: Get started making awesome and brilliant films
This tutorial gives you five useful tips that will ensure your next film is utterly brilliant. Use what you've got, have a single message, entertain your audience no matter what, write a good script and storyboard, and make sure your sound and light are calibrated properly.
How To: Use the Manfrotto 394 quick release plates when shooting on a tripod
This tutorial shows you how to use the Mafrotto 394 quick release plates, which allows you to quickly move or change cameras on your tripod. This saves you a lot of time you'd otherwise spend screwing and unscrewing your camera from the tripod.
How To: Use the EX1 and Letus Extreme 35 mm lens adapter when filming outdoors
This is a quick tutorial on a few pieces of film equipment that are especially well suited to filming outdoors - specifically, the Sony EX1 video camera, and the Letus Extreme 35 mm lens adapter, as well as the hardware you'll need to be able to use it.
How To: Shoot high definition video with a Flip camera
Professional quality, high definition video cameras are now getting within the grasp of independent film makers, and this tutorial shows you how you can use the Flip camera, or other small HD cameras, to shoot your own high quality projects.
How To: Get HD quality video with your Canon digital SLRs
You can still make great high definition videos using the Canon digital SLR camera line. This video gives you quite a few tips you can use to start creating your own videos and movies - the most important one of which is to have fun!
How To: Pick up a few good tips for using your Sanyo Xacti equipment
This tutorial shows you a few tips you can use to get the most out of your Sany Xacti microphone and other audio equipment. It is a professional grade piece of equipment, so it's pricey, but well worth the investment.
How To: Hold a camera completely steady in your bare hands
No extra tripods or dollies required! This tutorial shows you the 'steadyhand' technique: a way for you to hold your video camera in your bare hands without any tremors or shaking. The trick is to not hold it too tightly.
How To: Make a realistic-looking Monkey Bomb just like in Call of Duty: Black Ops
This video shows you step-by-step instructions on how to make a realistic Monkey Bomb prop just like the one made by Dr. Richtofen in Call of Duty: Black Ops. You will have to find your own monkey but the finished product is guaranteed to bring hours of zombie-killin' fun! Make sure to get permission from your parents to make this prop!
How To: Make your own rolling camera dolly for cheap
This tutorial shows you how you can cheaply and easily construct a rolling camera dolly for less than you'd have to spend to buy it from the manufacturer - this one only costs about $120. It rolls as smoothly as a professional dolly!
News: The History of Life (On Acid)
After enjoying the sweet, yummy holiday cheer of the world's beginnings explained with cookie dough, enter Cyriak Harris' delightfully nightmarish acid trip alternative: "The abridged story of life on earth, as told through the medium of walking fingers." Previously, How Did He Do That?