Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Make realistic claymation characters
As a beginning stop-motion animator, there's a lot of trial and error. What tools and materials do you use? How do you sculpt realistic clay figures? This video tutorial walks you through some of the essential materials, and demonstrates sculpting a torso out of Super Sculpey.
How To: Edit P2 MXF files with Final Cut Pro and Raylight
In this video, Dave (and his assistant, also Dave) present a quick and informative guide to editing your P2 MXF files with Final Cut Pro and Raylight for Mac. Once you've shot your footage using your P2 camera, import it to your laptop. Now you're ready to get started on your path to becoming the next Spielberg (or Uwe Boll.)
How To: Use a Steadicam Pilot
In this humorously presented video tutorial, you'll learn how to operate the Steadicam Pilot. When you know what you're doing, the Steadicam can give you incredible, pro-quality shots. The Pilot makes the rig even more flexible, and it's surprisingly simple to use.
How To: Set up the Merlin Steadicam
This video walks you through the set up of the Merlin Steadicam rig. For some reason a lot of the video is presented speeded up, but if you can keep up with it, this is useful info. It's not so fast that you can't follow it, but if you're trying to take notes, be prepared to hit "pause" a lot!
How To: Use Merlin positions for smooth steadicam shots
There are a lot of famous steadicam shots where the camera floats just ahead of the actors as they walk along having a conversation. (See just about any episode of "The West Wing" or "Battlestar Galactica.") Perhaps you imagined the cameraman walking backwards, carefully stepping over door frames or other obstacles in order to get this tricky shot. But as you'll see in this video, it's actually a much simpler matter of using a device called a Steadicam Merlin, so the operator can see where he...
How To: Make Slipknot full head masks
No matter what you think of Slipknot's music, you gotta admit they have a cool, horror movie look. This video will walk you through how to make your own Slipknot full head masks. You'll be surprised how simple the process is.
How To: Turn a series of timelapse stills into video
Time lapse photography is a great tool for documentary filmmaking or just making a fun record of a construction project in your home. This video explains how to turn a series of still photos taken with your DSLR camera and turn them into an HD time lapse sequence. It's a bit technical for beginners, but the process isn't as complicated as it looks.
How To: Install the D Focus DSLR Mount on a Canon 5D
When you're first working with a digital single-lens reflex camera, there's a lot to learn. Setting up a D|Focus DSLR mount can look particularly complicated, but in this tutorial you'll learn all the steps. Now you're ready to start taking shots like a pro. (Note that this tutorial is not for absolute beginners. You'll need to have some familiarity with these camera before you begin.)
How To: Build your own slider camera dolly
For graceful camera moves, it's hard to beat a dolly. A professional rig can cost a lot of money, but in this video tutorial you'll learn how to make a pro-quality slider using parts you can find at the hardware store. This rig is great for close-ups and tabletop set-ups.
How To: Build your own lightsaber props from Star Wars
In this episode of the popular web series Systm, you'll learn how to make your very own lightsaber prop from the "Star Wars" movies. Many of the components are surprisingly simple - old flashlights, windshield wiper blades, etc. But when you them together, you can have an effective prop for a lot less than you'd pay for a reproduction.
How To: Make cheap and easy fake blood
If you're making a cheap horror movie, you're gonna need fake blood, and lots of it! In this video, you'll learn how to make a liter of fake blood. And the supplies are everyday household supplies, costing less than a dollar!
How To: Make really simple and gross fake blood
There are a lot of recipes for fake blood online. This one is one of the simplest, and one of the grossest-looking. Just take some white corn syrup, red and blue food coloring and corn starch, mix them all together and you'll soon have an appalling concoction that will terrify your audiences and leave a stain on your rug that you'll never, ever get out.
How To: Fiberglass a Mjolnir armor mask from the Halo series
Interested in using fiberglass? In conjunction with the 405th, an online e-zine dedicated to Mjolnir Armor costuming for the Xbox Halo video game series, this tutorial shows you a step by step process of how to layer fiberglass on the inside of a costume mask. Materials needed include latex gloves, respirator or ventilation mask, fiberglass resin, fiberglass cloth, scissors, and a foam brush. Be sure to give up the cash for a great ventilation mask... some of these materials can be toxic to y...
How To: Make a Mermaid Tail Costume
Make your underwater dreams come true by turning yourself into a bona fide swimming mermaid. If mermaids did exist, you would be the perfect candidate to transform into the mythical creature. So check out this video tutorial form Little Orca to learn how to make your own mermaid tail costume.
How To: Improve your moviemaking music and sound skills
If you need a little advice about film sound and music, these tips should help you out. Find out a good place got get royalty free music to add to your low-budget film and see when not to use music with vocals. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to improve your moviemaking music and sound skills.
How To: Improve your green screen skills
Having trouble with your green screen? You may not have it lit right, or it may not be secured properly, or you might not be using your editing software right when using chroma key. If you want to learn a few tips on how to fix a bad green screen, this is the place. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to improve your green screen skills.
How To: Build a fake rock movie prop
We all know that movies now-a-days don't use real rocks, but fake rocks for their film sets. Why? Because it's safer, lighter, easier to movie, and you can design them exactly how you want them. So if you need a rock for your indie film project, make it yourself. There's nothing better than imitation. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a fake rock movie prop.
How To: Build a jet pack movie prop
Remember the Rocketeer? The rocket jet pack that he wore? Jet packs are the coolest sci-fi props that haven't been perfected in "real life" yet. Almost, but not quite. For now, film rocket belts or rocket packs will do. Like in the Bond flick "Thunderball" and in the Star Wars movies "Attack of the Clones" and "Return of the Jedi". It's even in "Fahrenheit 451" and "Minority Report". But your homemade DIY jet pack might be the best of all. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a jet...
How To: Build a "Ghostbusters" Ghost Trap Prop
What's a proton pack without a ghost trap? Useless, that's what. Don't pay megabucks for some fake Ghostbusters costume when you can build your own with household materials.
How To: Build a breakable iPhone movie prop
It's time to smash that iPhone, but wait… you don't really want to break your iPhone, do you? That's were a fake iPhone prop comes in, perfect for any homemade movie. Just make this, and switch it out with the real one during the anger attack. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a breakable iPhone movie prop. Also works with a fake smashable iPod.
How To: Build a P-90 prop gun
The FN P90. Everybody wants one, but more than likely, you can't get your hands on one, especially if it's illegal in your area. Designed by FN Herstal back in the 80's, the P90 personal defense weapon is the cream of the crop. It's full name, Project 90, specifies a weapon system of the 1990's. If you want this firearm for a weapon prop or just to have, you can easily build one yourself with household materials, mostly cardboard. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a P-90 prop ca...
How To: Build a robot dog prop with poster board
Bring a little bit of super technology into your indie film with a prop robot dog. This is not a real robot dog, but a fake robot dog made from foam core poster board and a few other household materials. Think Lost in Space and The Jetson, only the robot is a dog. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a robot dog prop with poster board.
How To: Build a fake sword prop
It's medieval mayhem and you need a sword prop. Maybe you're larping, or maybe you just need a fake, dull movie prop blade for your action epic. Either way, this is a great weapons build project for a cool replica wooden sword. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a fake sword prop.
How To: Make a movie prop grenade
A grenade is the best way to make your indie action war flick more realistic, but anyway you try it, it's not going to be completely "realistic". You need a prop grenade, and you can eerily make it yourself out of cheap household materials. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a movie prop grenade.
How To: Make a fake movie prop brick
A fake brick is a great movie prop for any action film. You can break through brick walls, smash a brick in two, or throw a brick at someone without being charged with murder. The majority of this fake brick is made of foam. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a fake movie prop brick.
How To: Make a prop movie bomb
Dynamite your way to movie success with an explosive bomb. A fake explosive bomb, of course. TNT on a timer is a great movie effect for you action flick. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a prop movie bomb.
How To: Make a realistic werewolf claw
You can't have a werewolf movie without a werewolf, but how do you make one. Well, you should start of small. Try your hands at the wolf claws. To create these furry werewolf claws, you'll need a glove and some other materials. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a breakable prop computer. For written instructions on the actual claws, check out the WikiHow article, "How to Make Origami Paper Claws".
How To: Make a breakable prop computer
Everybody has that destructive feeling sometimes, when you just want to smash your computer to bits due to a glitch or virus or freeze up. If you're making a film, it's a little more plausible that the computer would actually get smashed, considering it would be a fake prop computer. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a breakable prop computer.
How To: Make a prop RPG
An RPG is a rocket propelled grenade, which is a common tool for enemy combatants in Iraq these days. If you need to have an RPG for your action war movie, then it's best to build your own prop one, since RPG's aren't exactly legal. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a prop RPG.
How To: Motion track with Boris Red 4.3 in Sony Vegas Pro 9
There aren't a lot of Boris Red tutorials out there, so make sure you watch this one on motion tracking. Learn four-corner pin tracking in Boris Red, which is a great compositing and effects program (plug-in) for Sony Vegas. See how to create a fisheye look in Sony Vegas Pro 9. Motion tracking is ability to realistically incorporate an object into a video, matching the movement of the shot.
How To: Create a fisheye look in Sony Vegas Pro 9
Creating a curved video look, also known as the fisheye look, is one of the easiest camera tricks possible, and can also be done with your editing software. It's commonly used in skateboarding videos, but be done for any low budget indie film. See how to create a fisheye look in Sony Vegas Pro 9.
How To: Track motion in Sony Vegas Pro 9
If you own Sony Vegas, a good editing technique to learn is tracking motion. Track motion is the ability to rotate, scale, and skew an object in 3D perspective. This is great for making intros, titles, animated pictures in your homemade videos and much, much more. See how to track motion in Sony Vegas Pro 9. These are the basics.
How To: Use the mask tool in Sony Vegas Pro 9
Have Sony Vegas, but don't know all that it can do, like masking? Well, this video tutorial about masking in Vegas Pro 9 will get you started in movie visual effects. As in the video, you can give an illusion that there is a real tank in your backyard with masking. See how to use the mask tool in Sony Vegas Pro 9.
How To: Put on a puppet show
Whether you use shadow puppets or marionettes, put on a fanciful puppet show with these tips. Step 1: Decide on script
How To: Make a Superman costume with Gianny L
Superman is one of the greatest and most known superheroes out there. Developed by DC Comics, Superman has seen the world… as in comics, television, newspaper strips, video games, movies, radio serials, etc. See how to make a Superman costume in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make a Batgirl costume with Gianny L
Batgirl. Who wouldn't want to be Batgirl for Halloween? Batgirl is the female counterpart to the all-too-famous Batman from DC Comics. See how to make a Batgirl costume in this video from GiannyL.
How To: Make a voodoo love doll
Although very strange, after watching this video, you'll know how to make your very own voodoo love doll!
How To: Use black wrap for film lighting equipment
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding lighting, gripping and gaffing. Mike's soul screams for Rosco's magic Cinefoil wrap (aka Black Wrap, aka shroud-of-death wrap). Made from black holes. Learn what it's used for and how to use it! It's really just thick black aluminum foil with heat protection. The easiest and cheapest lighting accessory.
How To: Use Kino Flo lighting systems on a film set
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding film lighting. See how to use these super cool (literally and figuratively) lights called Kino lights. These fluorescent Kino Flos are perfect for when you want soft, even light that doesn't draw much power. Get the details on how to set them up!
How To: Build a guerilla-style camera dolly
MatttChapman shows you how to build a guerilla-style camera dolly to add to your filmmaking bag of tricks. This guerilla dolly is so simple, made with a rain gutter and cover from a local hardware store. This is ingenuity at its best. Don't spend a ton of money for a dolly to simply pan, build this rain gutter dolly!