Hot Film & Theater Posts

How To: Create great gore, mutilation and blood with makeup

In this tutorial, we learn how to create great gore, mutilation and blood with makeup. Using makeup can make you look like a completely different person, and this includes making something gross! Using pumpkins to blow up can look just like someone getting hurt and their body parts coming out, it has the right sound as well. Gasoline and firecrackers are also used to help make the sound of something bad happening in a movie! Using gelatin on the face can create a makeup look that gives a real...

How To: Break an arm in half & blow up a head in film

In this tutorial, we learn how to break an arm in half & blow up a head in film. To do this, you will need: a tripod, after effects, and actors. First, you need to record a shot with the background and the person whose head you want to blow up. After this, put the clean plate clip over the head of your actor. Now, you will be able to clear out the person and add a mask that is exploding in the frame instead of the head. Add in some fake blood and sound effects, then you will be finished with ...

How To: Create a black eye with cinema makeup

In this video, we learn how to create a black eye with cinema makeup. First, you will need black makeup, black eyeliner, and a sponge. Start out by applying purple shadow with a flat brush on the sockets on the bottom of the eye. Apply this down until you reach the top of the cheekbone. Start to pat on a light dusting of black eyeshadow on the same area. After this, start rubbing purple and pink colors into the cheek area and dark brown on the top of the eye. After this, rub the purple on the...

How To: Make movie rain without getting wet

In this tutorial, we learn how to make movie rain without getting wet. First, you will need to get a garden hose that has a spout on it and few pieces of PVC pipe. Connect the pieces of PVC pipe together, then stick the head of the hose to the pipe. Keep in mind that you will want to cut the pipe a bit shorter so it's easier to hold. Now, have someone hold up the pipe while you are taping and make sure to stay opposite of the way the wind is blowing. After this, you will have taped rain in a ...

How To: Create a "District 9" inspired alien hand

You will need: rubber glove, paper towels, liquid latex, paint, and newspaper. First, fill the glove with newspaper, then secure the fingers with electrical tape to make only 3 fingers. Then, mix up the liquid latex with black paint and apply it to the fingers. Then, place the paper towels over this in coats and shape them so they are pointy. Add in some texture using paper towel strips and cotton balls. Continue to paint over with the liquid latex/paint until you have made your desired textu...

How To: Simulate teleportation w/ film effects & camera tricks

In this tutorial, we learn how to simulate teleportation w/ film effects & camera tricks. First, take a shot of your actors moving and doing something active. Then, take a shot of the frame without the actors. After this, go frame by frame masking the actors out of each of the frames. Use radio blur to make them leave the shot, then add in evaporation. From here, you can play the clips of the background on the scene so it looks like the have been sent somewhere else. Smooth out the background...

How To: Create a realistic looking cinema style head shot

In this video, we learn how to create a realistic looking cinema style head shot. First, you will need a cheap toy gun, colored wax, and fake blood to create this. Now, you will need to get some footage of the shooter shooting the gun and flinging fake blood in the persons fake as they shoot. Then, take shots of the other person being taken back by the bullet coming at them. After you get several of these shots, apply the makeup to create a fake gun shot and then mesh all of these together to...

How To: Cut your friends in half with film effects

In this tutorial, we learn how to cut your friends in half with film effects. To do this, you will need an actor, a still frame of blood, and some gory looking meat. Have your wounded actor lay on the floor with another actor laying next to him. Then, have them all leave the frame. Next, bring all the footage in After Effects and bring in the meat picture as well. Add blood and the meat in the pictures and remove the lower half of the body. Play with the colors to make it look more realistic,...

How To: Use food for special effects film makeup

In this video, we learn how to use food for special effects film makeup. Using familiar ingredients you find in the kitchen, you can make a scene from a movie that looks real! Food can be made to look like really gross things in movies, using the right colors and consistencies. Gelatin can be used on the face to create something that looks like scabs and a raw burn on a face. Corn flakes can also give off the scraped face look. Barbecue chicken skin can be made to look like a black cut on the...

How To: Create a realistic, severe burn using cinema makeup

In this tutorial, we learn how to create a realistic, severe burn using cinema makeup. You will need to start out with unflavored gelatin made to be placed on the skin to create texture and a glossy look for blood. Start by applying the gelatin to the face with a flat wood stick for makeup. Apply in strokes so you have a textured look, not just smooth. Give this time to cool and set, then apply different colors of makeup onto the gelatin with a brush. Use browns, purples, and reds to create a...

How To: Create a realistic looking cut using cinema makeup

In this video, we learn how to create a realistic looking cut using cinema makeup. Start out by using silicone putty on the face to help make the cut on the face look more real than ever. Use brushes and a spatula to help mix colors together and apply to your face flawlessly. Also make sure you have fake blood with you so you can apply to the face to make look more realistic. After you have let the silicone dry, start to apply the red, dark red, and black colors onto it and blend to create a ...

How To: Film realistic, bloody gun shots

In this tutorial, we learn how to film realistic and bloody gun shots. You will first need to gather up all the materials you need to make this happen. Once you have everything ready, set it all into place. Make sure you have the fake blood placed in the shirt where the person is pointing the gun, and also make sure you have a good actor. After this, use a firecracker to make the sound of a gunshot. As soon as this goes off and the person pulls the fake trigger, have the other person push on ...

How To: Build your own prop shotgun

In this tutorial, we learn how to build your own prop shotgun. To make this, you will need: one 2x6 that is 2 feet long, one 1x3 eight inches long, two 8" diameter PVC piping 2 feet long, two one inch PVC end caps, picture hangers, assorted nuts, bolts, and crews. First, draw on the shape of your gun on the pieces of wood, then cut them up with a saw. Then, cut out a prong shape in the front and stain the gun to your desired color. Next, connect all the pieces together and attach the wall han...

How To: Make simple special effects for movies

In this tutorial, we learn how to make simple special effects for movies. First, you will need to set up a ladder that's tall enough to make the rail look like it's falling down naturally. Make sure the rain is hitting all around the person or you have sealed off an area. Make sure you also have the right attire to wear the clothing you have. Moving some pinto beans back and forth in a PVC pipe sounds just like rain, so record that. You can spray a garden hose up in the air and it will give a...

How To: "Un-manicure" your fingernails (zombie effect) for Halloween or horror movies

This Halloween, forget store-bought prosthetics and expensive makeup artists. If you're looking for that creepy undead look, nasty nails are easily made at home. This video will show you how to make some horrific and ghastly fingernails for your zombie, vampire or other creature costume. The key to these Halloween nails are clear plastic report / presentation covers that you can get from any office supply store.

How To: Make an awesome zombie costume

Whether it's Halloween or making a scary zombie flick (George A. Romerro and beyond!) zombies are a staple for classic horror! There's a few ways to make the costume itself should you decide to roll with the idea, with some cheap options in mind. In this video you will learn how to design the costume itself and get it as close to a classic Night of the Living Dead look as you can.

How To: Use colorful, textured plastic cups to create a cool film lighting effect

This is a creative idea for a great light effect for any video project. If you're a cinematographer and are open to knew and creative ideas (and cheap!), then this colorful, moving lighting effect is perfect for your film. You'll need three plastic cups, a 5/16-inch metal rod about 2-feet long, gaffers tape, packaging tape, drill and a light. You can get the plastic cups from the dollar store, which won't cost you more than three bucks! They need to be translucent and have the colors you want...

How To: Light digital home videos like a professional

Shooting home video is fun, and is a great way to get started on the path to a film career. But one thing that can kill your video is poor lighting. Not everyone is rich enough to a professional light kit, so what do you do to compensate? In this video you will get some great low budget, and even some free, tips on how to create proper lighting both in-doors and outdoors and tips on what to avoid in your scenes.

How To: Improve sound for digital home movies

When you film at home with just a regular camera using the built-in microphone, the quality can be bad to worse at best. If you are looking to improve the sound the best that you can with low budget solutions, check out this video. You will get tips on how to secure your locations and also how to monitor the sound going into your camera.

How To: Shoot in a film noir setting

Film Noir, or black film, is a type of film that can easily be attributed to classics such as the Humphery Boggart films of old (Maltese Falcon, King of the Underworld, ect.). If you're looking on how to create the effect yourself without a big budget, check out this video! John Hess gives you some basic tips to creating the effect with lighting and more!

How To: Build a DIY outdoor movie theater

Watching movies outdoors is gaining popularity again. If you want to really impress your movie-loving friends at your next party, blow them away by making a backyard outdoor theater at your home. It works great and won't take your whole life to build.

How To: Make a pole camera

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a pole camera with John Park. You can take some amazing pictures by just using a pole to mount your camera onto and take pictures with. Most cameras will work with a general pole as long as they have a tripod mounting pole. To help you press the shutter button the camera while it is up in the air, you will need to create a rig that will press it when you trigger it to press. After this, you will need to build an inner frame that tilts up and down to take...

How To: Create a 3D cartoon character with Xtranormal

This video will show you how to create a 3D cartoon character using a website called Xtranormal. In the program, you should first pick the scene where you want your action to occur as well as the 3D character which you would like to be present in the scene. You can then type a script and choose a voice for the character to speak. The website will be able to read your script and your character will say whatever you have typed. Next, you can add additional sounds and add actions to the cartoons...

How To: Fake a Loch Ness photo

This video will show you some methods to create a fake Loch Ness monster photo. You will need a camera or a camera phone for this project. One method of faking a sea monster picture involves creating a clay model of a head and a neck of a sea monster and holding it underwater. The outline of your hand holding the clay will serve as the body of the monster. Another method which can be used to fake a sea monster can be done using a clothes hanger and holding it underwater. The hook of the hange...

How To: Edit with Sony Movie Studio / Vegas Video

In this video, we learn how to edit with Sony Movie Studio / Vegas Video. You will be able to see all your tracks to open up when you are in the program. First, open up all the elements you will need in your media pool. After this, add in transitions from each of the different slides and add in music as well. Place the slides next to each other to easily create the transition without getting the different slides confused. Play the preview to the slides to see how they look as you are creating...