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How To: Make eyes for clay animation puppets

In this tutorial, we learn how to make eyes for clay animation puppets. First, drill a hole inside of a block of wood, then insert a bull so it fits snug inside of the hole. After you have done this, use a drill to make a hole that goes half way down through the pupil. Now, use paint to fill in the hole where the pupil would be at. Push the balls into clay to hold them in place while painting. Make sure the dots you have on both eyes are even. When finished, paint a black circle around them, ...

How To: Type in Japanese in Vista or XP w/ an English keyboard

In this video, we learn how to type in Japanese while using Vista or XP with an English keyboard. First, go to your control panel from the start menu. Next, click "clock language and region". After this, click on the button to change keyboards, then click on "add". Now, select "Japanese" and then click "ok". Now, on the bottom right of the screen, click to turn on the Japanese typing. Click this again if you want to change back to English. This is a great tool to use if you need to type in mu...

How To: Memorize lines by identifying the root of a scene

In this tutorial, we learn how to memorize lines by identifying the root of a scene. First, know the way you work as an actor and know the other people you are around. Next, know what the material is and what the scene is about. If you are familiar with what you are talking about, you are going to be more engaged, rather than just memorizing a line. Another trick is to write your lines over and over, so your brain will understand what you have to learn. Also, make sure you say your lines out ...

How To: Set up and light an inexpensive green screen

In this tutorial, we learn how to set up and light an inexpensive green screen. First, use the backdrop with anything that is a lime green color. You can use anything from a green colored wall to a green blanket. Put one light on both sides of the screen, then place blue color over the lights. Place the camera in front of the green screen and look at the lighting to make sure the lighting is right in the area. When you are ready, use software to change the background to different places. When...

How To: Simulate a shotgun kickback effect

In this tutorial we learn how to simulate a shotgun kickback effect. Start off by purchasing a harness from a department store. Next, take the harness and strap it onto the actor. After this, have the actor put his shirt on and then cut a hole in the back for the hook in the back of the harness. Now, have the actor bend slightly forward, then pull in the actor quickly. Next, have another actor kick or hit something where the other actor would be standing. Combine both of these clips together ...

How To: Make a sniper rifle movie prop

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a sniper rifle movie prop. First, go to this website to get the blueprints: Sniper. After this, draw your gun out onto a poster board and cut it out, you will do this for around 6 of these poster boards. When you are finished, use the hot glue gun to stick all of these together. Next, sand out the sides and attach duct tape to the sides to keep it together. After this, grab two empty water bottles and an empty toilet paper roll. Cut around the top of the...

How To: Improve your cinematography lighting

In this tutorial, we learn how to improve cinematography lighting. The first style is used in music videos and some film. The second is a very naturalistic lighting that is showing real world lighting. The last type is minimal, where you are using natural light only. Turning on lights can make a big difference between using normal lights that are inside. Play with the exposure of the shot to try to get the right balance. Move the light around to find the best angle, then you will be able to f...

How To: Build a light diffuser to improve your film lighting

This video tutorial belongs to the Film & Theater category which is going to show you how to build a light diffuser to improve your film lighting. Joe Richardson explains how to do this. You will need four pieces of pine wood 1" x 2" x 8 feet long, framing nails, duct tape and light cloth material. Cut the wood at the edges at a 45 degree angle and lay them out on ground to make the frame and hammer in the framing nails. Now spread the cloth over the frame and start stapling it. Pull the clot...

How To: Create a Codex avatar costume

In this tutorial, we learn how to create a Codex avatar costume. First, find a long white lace dress for the base of the costume. After this, mark the length you want, then cut the seam and sew on the end to avoid any frays. After this, use remaining lace to make a piece of fabric that you can bedazzle and add gold ribbon to. Apply cuffs to the dress, then wrap a red corset around the top of the dress on your waist. After this, make a necklace that has red jewels in the middle of it and wear ...

How To: Make a grappling hook gun prop like Batman's

Superman and the X-Men all had really cool superpowers that were the basis for their superhero status. Batman, on the other hand, had no superpowers other than a genius intellect and a prizefighter's physique. When he wanted to fly, he had to use a grappling gun he made himself. Livid. This video will show you how to make a prop version of the iconic Batman grappling hook gun for you next film using $30 worth of parts and a little bit of gumption.

How To: Become a zombie with Halloween prosthetics

Use gelatine prosthetics and paint techniques to create the ultimate zombie make up look - great for halloween or professional films! It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in just under six minutes' time. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.

How To: Make a fake single barrel pump-action shotgun prop

Shotguns are great for obliterating things that are close to you. Single barrel pump-action shotguns are the one most readily available to most folks, and if you want to depict one in one of your films without buying one or risking injury to your actors, this video will help you. It will show you how to make a prop shotgun out of cardboard and some other tools that looks pretty realistic and will let you shoot with guns without risking shooting anyone.

How To: Make a realistic fake severed finger prop

Fingers are the parts of the body most often severed from the rest of it, and if you have any interest in creating violent or edgy films there will probably come a time where you want to cut a finger off for a scene. This video will show you how to make a really realistic-looking fake severed finger prop. It isn't a severed finger technically, but a hand with part of a severed finger still attached, and it looks SO creepy. This prop will make any horror film or Halloween costume much more rea...

How To: Make the repulsor arm prop from Iron Man

Iron Man, and to a lesser extent it's sequel, represent the best of the new comic-book-movie boom and have rejuvenated the popularity of one of Marvel's most interesting characters. Do you want to make a Tony Stark costume, or dress someone you know in one for a film or party? This video will show you how to make one of the coolest and most important parts of the Iron Man ensemble: the repulsor arm ray gun.

How To: Make a realistic Fallout 3 dart gun prop

One of the many reasons for the Fallout series enduring popularity is the wide variety of creative and retro-futuristic weapons available for the player to lay waste with. Most of them are not real, but by gumption this girl has made one of them so! This video will show you how to make something like, but probably not as good-looking as, this amazing replica of the dart gun from Fallout 3. It's made of pretty much the same materials you make it out of in the game, and might be the single best...

How To: Make a double-barrel sawed-off shotgun prop

Using guns in low-budget films is tough. You probably can't afford a real gun or a replica can you? Especially for more specialized guns. Fortunately, this video has the solution. It will show you how to make a really realistic sawed-off shotgun prop for cheap. You will need some carpentry skills and tools, but the gun looks so cool that even if you don't have those things now, you should probably invest in them. You'll be able to use them to make more props later anyway.

How to Make 2 props: a laser pistol and a gas mask

This video is a 2-for-1 special. It will teach you how to make not one, but TWO cool props for a film or costume. They are, in no particular order, a gas mask / ventilator and a laser pistol. Both look very cool, require some materials and carpentry skills, and are sure to make your next sci-fi film much more realistic and enjoyable to watch.

How To: Make a retro ray gun prop for film or costumes

It's funny how unevenly the real world keeps pace with science fiction. Smartphones have capabilities that Gene Roddenberry never imagine a portable device could have, but guns still use tiny powder cartridges to launch hunks of metal at things. The phasers, ray guns, and blasters of Star Wars, Star Trek, and other sci-fi works have yet to appear. Don't let that hold you back! This video will show you how to make a cool retro ray gun prop that you can use with a Halloween costume or in a film...

How To: Make realistic Wolverine claws out of plastic scythes

If you are shooting a film with featuring the iconic X-Men team member Wolverine or want to dress yourself or someone else as him for some other reason, the claws are the most important part. They're what makes Wolverine Wolverine, at least externally (he didn't always have chops Hugh Jackman you studmuffin you!) and the ones you use had better look good if your costume is going to be a hit. This video will show you how to make some very authentic-looking Wolverine claws at home out of some s...

How To: Make claws by folding pieces of paper

Claws make a very cool costume piece for all sorts of costumes, from Wolverine to werewolves to whatever sort of freeform clawed monster you can conceive. This video will show you how to make some cool finger-claws (not Wolverine-style) out of paper. They are surprisingly intimidating given that they are made out of paper, and will go a long way towards creating whatever creature costume you're working on.

How To: Make easy paper Wolverine claws

Wolverine's claws are the most well-known hardware in all of comics, and making replicas of them for Halloween costumes and film shoots is a popular vocation. This video will show you one easy way to do it using only paper. They look pretty cool, although if you want them to look more real a little bit of paint would probably go a long way. Either way, this is a cheap and easy project that will make you Wolverine costume much more achievable.

How To: Convert a car LCD screen into a portable video monitor

When you're shooting a film, being able to see what you're shooting well and adjust on the fly is crucial. With the tiny screen on most cheap cameras, this is kind of a crapshoot. This video will show you a cheap way to solve this problem: converting a car $50 car LCD screen into a portable video monitor that you can attach to your camera and run off of batteries on set. The screen is probably bigger and nicer than the one on your camera, and will improve the quality and productivity of your ...

How To: Build a really cool futuristic prop gun

If you're making films on your own, good on you. Do you ever find yourself without the money or means to get the props that you need? Every day most likely. This video is here to both inspire and provide practical aide. It describes the construction of a really cool sci-fi gun (dubbed the MKX300) that this filmmaker made for his webseries out of mostly old bottles. It was cheap and looks incredible, so watch this video and either make your own MKX300 or apply these lessons to the construction...

How To: Make quick, easy prop Wolverine claws

First of all, feel free to disregard the first 2:05 of this video, it is not a how-to but behind-the-scenes footage of this guy's short film. After 2:05, however, you will get a great tutorial on how to make a set of prop Wolverine claw quickly, easily, and cheaply. They are made out of cardboard and spraypaint, and as long as you don't do any closeups on them or require you Wolverine to open his hands with the claws out at any point (impossible in this configuration) they look plenty real. Y...

How To: Make a replica of the Spartan laser from Halo 3

The lasers from Halo might not be quite as famous as the assault rifles form the games, but they are still a very cool-looking and integral part of it. This video will show you how to make your own replica of the Spartan laser from Halo out of a toy gun called the Belt Blaster. The end result looks so real it might get you arrested by any cops from the future that you may run into, so be careful.

How To: Film skateboarding

In this video, we learn how to film skateboarding. First, get a camera that fits your price range and you will be ready to start filming. Next, use a long lens so you capture the best shots of people on their boards and in motion. Next, make sure you capture the lines that the skateboarder is skating on. Use different angles to get the best shot possible. You want to get close to the action, so you will need a fish eye lens. Use your skateboard to follow the skater around. Using these simple ...

How To: Add watermarks to videos in Sony Vegas

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to add watermarks to videos in Sony Vegas. Users will need to begin by creating the watermark image in a photo editing software. Once created, make the image into a transparent background and save it as .PNG format. Now load the video into Sony Vegas and place it into the time-line. Then open the image in Sony Vegas and add it into the video time-line. Finish by panning the watermark image to a smaller size in the corner and extend the play time. This...

How To: Give personality to your puppets

In this tutorial, we learn how to give personality to your puppets with Paul Louis. Personality is everything when it comes to puppets. Your design should give the puppet a certain type of personality. Create a voice when you put the puppet onto your arm and use it to become a new character. Use different styles of clothing and jewelry accessories to make the character different. Give the puppet the look of the voice you are going to give it. If you want it to look tough, give it a leather ja...

How To: Make a super hero mask prop for a film or Halloween

Super heros' secret identities are their most guarded secrets. Many choose to protect them with masks, but how to make your mask if you're a new superhero or a filmmaker trying to simulate a super hero? This video will show you how to make your own cheap superhero mask at home, which will be a great prop for your next film or Halloween costume.

How To: Do fairy princess or mermaid face paint

In this tutorial, we learn how to do fairy princess face paint. To do this, make sure you have paint brushes, sponges, a spray bottle, and different colors of paints. To begin, take your sponge and apply a base to your entire face. Next, draw the outline for the design you want to draw with the sponge and colors. Now, fill in the colors on your face, blending in with the sponge. Now, take a small brush and draw a dark line to make the edges more exact on your face. After this, draw an exact l...

How To: Make a cheap DIY camera slider for your film

Film and television cinematographers love sliding camera shots, especially since ER made them a standard device for television dramas. A professional sliding camera setup is expensive though. Why not make one yourself? This video will show you how to turn $20 into a high-quality filmmaking tool that you can use to give your films some very professional-looking shots. Now get out there and follow that gurney with the camera!

How To: Sound Like a Biological Woman When Speaking

In this tutorial, we learn how to sound like a biological woman while speaking. There are many different techniques to help you speak like a woman, including going into falsetto. This isn't about getting the sound, it's about learning how to not speak with resonance. You want to focus your voice up in your throat instead of deep down. You probably haven't used the muscles for this voice, so using falsetto is a great way to practice. You may be able to speak a few minutes and feel yourself fal...

How To: Make a sawed-off shotgun movie prop

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a sawed0off shotgun. The materials required for this project are: hot glue gun, duct tape, cardboard, utility knife, black marker, spray paint and 2 paper towel rolls. Begin by tracing a shotgun outline onto the cardboard. Make 6 layers and glue all the layers together. Then smooth the edges with sandpaper and tape the outside with some duct tape. Now tape the 2 paper towel rolls together and tape it on top of the shotgun. Finish by painting t...

How To: Make your own microphone blimp

In this tutorial, we learn how to make a microphone blimp. You will first need a shotgun microphone and a power module that attaches to the microphone. There will be low roll off switch on the bottom which is supposed to help with wind noise. Next you will need to build a blimp with a filter you can purchase from a farm supply store. Apply a steel reinforced putty to one side of it, and this will be your end cap. Place your microphone through this and then your microphone will become complete...

How To: Make conventional shadow puppets

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make shadow puppets. Users will need a good, strong light and good positioning of the light. It is recommended to use white or any bright colored walls. Users learn how to do 2 types of shadow puppets in this video. The first type is a swan. Simply hook the arm out. The forearm will be the neck and the biceps will be the body and feathers. Then flap the 4 fingers and thumb like a beak. The second type can be a variation of animals. Simply stick out...