Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Make a documentary film step-by-step
In this Film & Theater video tutorial you will learn how to make a documentary film step-by-step. The various steps involved in making a documentary are defining the documentary, stylizing the genre, shooting and finally editing. A documentary is a movie that documents reality. It is based on real life situations or people. The three most sub genres are the observational documentary, the expository documentary and the participatory documentary. The different styles can be sit-down interviews ...
How To: Simulate steadycam shots and make fake crushed bullets
This video has three parts: two that will teach you how to do things and one that is just a badass montage. The two how-to parts of the video will teach you how to first simulate a steadycam / dolly shot with only a tripod and the other will teach you how to create fake crushed bullets to use in action or mystery scenes. The montage will show you some cool effects to strive for.
How To: Make a film flow with split edit (L-cut) transitions
Don't know what a split end is? That's probably because it's more commonly referred to as an L cut, which is a basic editing transition in films. Straight cuts tend to make a scene film stiff and unnatural, where the dialogue feels jarring, and that's when split edits come in handy. Rajo from The SubStream's "Film Lab" talks with editor Tom Berger on the basic principles of split edit transitions when editing a movie. After watching this video, you'll have a better understanding of these tran...
HowTo: Build Your Own DIY SuperMacro Lens
Via WonderHowTo World, Cinematography: Lozzless demonstrates how to make a diy cheap macro lens with working aperture for his Canon 5D Mark II, coined the "SuperMacro".
How To: Create your own episode of South Park using Flash CS4
In this super cool tutorial, learn how to create your very own episode of South Park using Flash CS4 and a couple of images you can download on the web. This tutorial is for any super fans who wish to spend some extra quality time with their characters, or for anyone interested in animation. These famous, foul mouthed, 2D characters are fun to move around and will do anything you need them to do once you get started! Get your fan fiction minds turning with this video!
How To: Use film diffusion gels to change light beam shape
This video is geared toward filmmakers, specifically cinematographers and gaffers, on what diffusion gels are and when to use them on a film set. This is a part of The SubStream's "Film Lab".
How To: Operate a gloved arm puppet
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to operate a gloved arm puppet. The puppet is operated by the user putting one hand inside the puppets head to operate the mouth, and the other hand into a glove to operates the puppet's hand. Users may have a second puppeteer to the other hand. The puppets are able to use their hands to pick up objects, make contact or show emotion. These puppets require a special amount of skill and patience to be able to operate both the head and hands of the puppe...
How To: Make a puppet lip synch
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to properly make a puppet lip sync. Begin by putting your hand into the puppet's body and bring it into the frame. When lip syncing, do not just open and close the puppet's mouth as you talk. It will make the puppet look more robotic and unrealistic. Instead, open and close the puppet's mouth upon every syllable. This will make the puppet look more realistic and make it look like it can speak dialogue fluently like a human. This video will benefit tho...
How To: Make a puppet's mouth move
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a puppet's mouth move. Begin by inserting your hand inside the puppet and bring it into frame. The four fingers will operate the top part of the mouth, and the thumb will operate the bottom part. When moving the puppet's mouth, only use the thumb to make the talking motion of the puppet. Do not flap the top for fingers up and down to move the puppet's mouth because it will make it look unrealistic and unnatural. This video will benefit those v...
How To: Professionally operate puppets
In this video, Paul Louis, a professional puppeteer and puppet builder discusses the difference between puppets intended for theater and television and how they are different both in appearance and operation. For a puppet on stage, stitching is acceptable to be seen on the outside of the puppet and large, exaggerated movements for the puppet are acceptable and encouraged for easier viewing by your audience. For a puppet which is shown on a television shown, the puppet should be cleaner and th...
How To: Make a really gross fake scar for Halloween or film
Making fake scars, abrasions, lacerations, and other wounds is one of the most entertaining parts of special effects and makeup work. This video help you get started, teaching you how to make a really gross, festering, fresh-looking fake arm wound that will scare the pants off of your audience (if you use it for a movie) or your fellow revelers (for Halloween or another costumed occasion).
How To: Make easy fake wounds for Halloween or film
Making fake wounds is an art form, and this girl is, if not a master, at least a very accomplished journeywoman. In this video she teaches us how to create a realistic-looking fake wound using only liquid latex, facepaint, and other simple materials. The end result is creepy and gross, and will make a perfect addition to your next Halloween costume or hot date.
How To: Do the Joker's makeup from The Dark Knight
Heath Ledgers iconic portrayal of The Joker in the film The Dark Knight has made him a Hollywood legend, shoving Jack Nicholson Joker straight out of posterity. This video will teach you how to do your makeup to look like his scary makeup from the film. The end result looks really good, and is sure to intimidate your friends on Halloween or at whatever other costume soiree you wear this to.
How To: Make a car-mounted rocket launcher prop for a film
Do you want to make your own action movies? Do you feel like your artistic vision would be enhanced by having a car with a rocket launcher on top of it in the film? You aren't alone. This video will show you how to make a car-mounted rocket launcher for $20 dollars out of simple materials. It won't blow up another car, but it will look really cool.
How To: Make a fake cut with theatrical makeup
Finally, the professionals are weighing in on how to create fake wounds! This video features a makeup artist from the BBC demonstrating how to make a really realistic fake cut on the hand of an actor using theatrical makeup. The plastic pieces from a CD jewel case that resemble broken glass really set this cut apart from the other fake cuts on the site, along with the professionalism of the presenter.
How To: Do a makeup open wounded face effect for Halloween
Fake wounds are one of the most popular makeup elements to include in Halloween costumes, and are also very useful in making films. This video will teach you how to create a realistic open facial wound using makeup. It looks so real, any doctors that you run into will probably try to rush you to the hospital immediately.
How To: Create a rotten diseased flesh effect for Halloween
If you want to make a movie with zombies, or the apocalypse, or the apocalypse and zombies, then you are going to have to learn how to create a really haggard-looking, disease-ridden face out of makeup. This video will show you how to do it using Rice Krispies, among other things. The end result is terrifying, and sure to scare your audiences or trick-or-treating targets into doing what you want (buying theater tickets or giving your candy, respectively).
How To: Make fake bruises for film or Halloween
Bruises may not be as gory or extreme as the gashes and slashes from some of the other fake-wound videos on the site, but they are an important part of the fake-injury world. I a brick falls on you, what you are going to have isn't a cut, but a very nasty bruise! This video will teach you how to make a realistic fake bruise on your arm out of makeup, which should be handy for you next film.
How To: Create a fake knuckle wound with makeup
If you want to have your character punch a very hard object, or punch a person very hard, then it will help if you can show their damaged, bloodied knuckles afterwards. Now you can with help from this video. It will teach you how to create a very gory fake knuckle wound out of basic prop and makeup materials. Now your characters can punch with authority.
How To: Make fake blood for film or costumes
Do you feel like your whole paycheck is going towards buying store-brand fake blood from your local prop shop? You must be using a lot of fake blood, because the stuff isn't very expensive. If you want to make your own blood at home, this video will show you how, using only simple household ingredients that you probably already have.
How To: Make a latex prosthesis chest wound effect
There is no such thing as a sucking chest wound. All chest wounds suck. Except perhaps for fake ones, which are essential to making a really gritty, gory film in most cases. This video features detailed instructions on how to make a fake chest wound out of latex and other special effects materials. Since it is a prosthesis, it can even be reused! It is a little complicated, but the end result looks great, so try this out in your next movie!
How To: Make realistic claw marks on the face with makeup
If you want to have a character get attacked by a predatory land animal in your movie, you are probably going to need to put some claw marks on their body to make it look realistic and visceral. This three-part video will show you how to create a really realistic open claw mark wound on an actor's face, or any other body part. It looks really, really good, now try it yourself and scare your family and friends!
How To: Make special effects makeup burn marks
There are a lot of videos out there that offer instructions for creating all sorts of fake wounds. Most of them, however, focus on cuts and gashes rather than that other devious and action-packed type of wound: the burn. This three-part video features detailed instructions for making a burn wound on your face or other body part using makeup and other household products. Now your characters get lit on fire and you can render the results accurately.
How To: Make a blood burst machine for film
Alright, so you have some fake blood, and you want to use it in your movie. Unless you are showing a wound after it has happened, and if you want to do anything depicting people getting shot, you are going to have to find a way to make the blood "shoot" out of the wound when it happens. This video features instructions for making a homemade blood burst machine that you can use to make your actors spurt blood when they get shot, sliced, or whatever else you plan on making happen to them.
How To: Make fake horror movie blood
Realistic fake blood is hard to come by, unless you plan on spending tons of money ordering it from a prop company. Make it yourself! This video features step-by-step instructions for making fake blood at home out of simple ingredients, with a blender being the only tool required. This way, you won't need to resort to drawing it from a real human.
How To: Create an open gash wound on a head
Head wounds are among the very worse types of wound, and as a results are very fun and popular subjects for representation in film. This video will teach you how to create an open gash wound on the head of your actor without taking a bottle to it. The wound looks very real, make sure you don't let your actor get near a hospital!
How To: Make a zombie flesh wound for Halloween or film
There are a lot of ways to hurt people, and almost as many ways to make them look like they've been hurt without doing any damage. This video is about the latter. It will teach you how to create some really scary fake zombie flesh wounds, either for a Halloween costume or film role. Now your eyes won't be the only zombie-like part of your body!
How To: Make a fake wound for Halloween or film
Creating fake wounds on the human body is one of the most fun parts of being an amateur or professional makeup artist, and whether your clients are you friends on Halloween or Brad Pitt. This video will teach you very quickly how to make a fake wound on your hand out of latex and other basic makeup costume makeup materials. Make others think that you need to be hospitalized! Make a fake wound for Halloween or film.
How To: Maintain family & married life as a Hollywood actor
In this clip, learn how to raise a family and have happy relationships in the fast paced world of Los Angeles. The lives of those in the entertainment industry are often hectic and involve odd hours, so keeping strong bonds is hard. Check out these tips from Kathleen Cooke and keep a happy and healthy life amidst the chaos.
How To: Keep strong morals as an actor in Los Angeles
In this video, actress and producer Kathleen Cooke talks to you about how to keep your moral ground in Los Angeles. As a struggling actor you will be offered jobs that may challenge your morals, and by following Kathleen's tips you will know how to deal with them and establish boundaries.
How To: Get yourself an agent in Los Angeles
In this video, producer and actress Kathleen Cooke, offers advice on how to find a fantastic agent in LA. You won't find much success in Hollywood without representation, so listen to Kathleen's advice and make sure you choose the right one and how to impress them so that they sign you.
How To: Get a great, effective headshot as a Hollywood actor
In this tutorial, learn all about headshots from producer and actress Kathleen Cooke. Kathleen will tell you all about what you need for a great headshot that will work in Los Angeles. From what to wear to how to pose, Kathleen will get you started. Chances are the headshots you have from back home won't cut it in LA, so make sure you have a great set and carry them with you - always!
How To: Behave when on a film or TV set for the first time
In this tutorial, actress and producer Kathleen Cooke tells you how to prepare yourself for stepping foot on a television or film set for the first time. As an actor, you must be aware of the set and protocol. There is a heirarchy on every set, and you must know how to respect it. You must also learn the vocabulary - if you do not know what a gaffer or a honeywagon are, it's time to hit the books and study!
How To: Find a roommate when you first move to Los Angeles
As an actor, finding a roommate is important. Chances are, you will not be making much money right away and will need to save on the rent and bills. Also, having a roommate means you will have a built-in friend when you first move, as well as an (often) already furnished house to live in.
How To: Find yourself an acting mentor in Los Angeles
One of the most significant ingredients that there can be in a young actor's career. Mentoring helps you make great, smart decisions. If you have a mentor, or someone who has been through the same experience before, you will learn so much more and be better prepared to face life as an actor. In this clip, Hans Obma talks about the importantce of finding a mentor in the entertainment industry.
How To: Develop good habits as an actor
In this tutorial, actor Hans Obma give you very important tips on how to practice your skills every day and improve. You will learn how to make acting a daily habit so that when you are in front of a casting director you can stand up with confidence and wow them. Follow along and form some great habits with Hans.
How To: Know what it is like to move to Hollywood as an actor
Moving to Hollywood can be a huge change for some people. In this clip, actress Julie Crisante tells you all about what you can expect when moving from a smaller town to the big city of Los Angeles. Prepare yourself for the hustle and bustle..and the traffic with these tips and advice.
How To: Adjust to living life in Los Angeles as an actor
In this clip, actress Julie Crisante explains some of the hardships you might have when you uproot and make the move to Los Angeles. Make sure you are ready for the major adjustment you will be facing. Los Angeles is an incredible city - it is beautiful, the people are friendly and always fun - but moving as an actor can be difficult for some. A lot of actors wind up leaving in their first year when faced with the cost and competition. Stay focused and stay in LA with these helpful tips from ...
How To: Get a good agent to represent you as an actor in LA
In this tutorial, learn the difference between good agents and bad ones in Los Angeles to make sure you get the best possible representation. Actress Julie Crisante will offer you some tips to make sure you get the best possible agent to guide you through your career.
How To: Make Lego figures fly using stop-motion animation
Stop-motion animation is somewhat out of favor in the digital age, but there will always be a demand for its timeless look. This video will teach you one important technique for making stop-motion animation out of Legos: how to make them fly. Or at least appear to by flying in your movie. It features detailed instructions on what to do in your digital photo editing software on each frame to erase the support structures you've used to elevate your Lego minifigures, leaving you with seamless im...