Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Make your own Masked Magician mask
Make a Magician's Mask Have you ever heard of the Masked Magician? With the television series Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed, the so-called Masked Magician (Val Valentino) revealed secret after secret of the magicians repertoire. Valentino creates “the magic” then proceeds to reveal the reality of the illusions before a captivated television audience.
How To: Write a script following proper screenplay format
Mike and Rajo from the SubStream's "Film Lab" have some tips regarding pre-production and development for proper script format.
How To: Complete preproduction paperwork: Script breakdown
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips on preproduction paperwork. Learn how to complete preproduction paperwork. Specifically, break down the script. You know that you don't want to do it, but it's important, okay?
How To: Understand exposure when filming
This is The Substream's "The Film Lab" series on cinematography basics. This is an intro into the basics of exposure. What is the difference between exposure and shutter anyway?
How To: Practice "the rule of thirds" in filming compositions
This is The Substream's lesson from The Film Lab in Composition: The Rule of Thirds. Composition is how you choose to show the audience your story.
Use video camera lens basics: Angle, focal length, DOF
Mike from the SubStream's "Film Lab" has some tips regarding video camera lenses. In part one, Mike talks about the basics of lenses, starting with focal length and angle of view. It's a lesson on the analog collections of lenses cinematographers use with their cameras. For people who like to point lenses at things, here is the functional knowledge.
How To: Setup Rembrandt lighting for a film shoot
This is The Substream's "The Film Lab" series on lighting basics. This episode covers Rembrandt Lighting.
How To: Make a ninja mask from a t-shirt
Want to be a ninja? This ViewDo video tutorial will show you how to make a ninja mask from a t-shirt. Once you have your t-shirt ninja mask made, the rest is up to you... learn some martial arts or something. Kyeaah!
How To: Calibrate an NTSC camera monitor
Check out this cinematography video tutorial on how to use calibrate an NTSC camera monitor, specifically a Marshall monitor.
How To: Use the Panasonic HPX500 broadcast quality camera
Check out this cinematography video tutorial on how to use the Panasonic HPX500 broadcast camera. The Panasonic professional digital camcorder HPX500 is an awesome camera for the new age.
How To: Set up a wireless microphone for sound recording
Check out this film and theater video tutorial on how to set up a wireless microphone for sound recording.
How To: Add a handle system for RED ONE camera
Here's a new handle system for the RED ONE Camera. Allows multiple mounting points as well as an isolation plate for RED DRIVES. It's extremely robust, versatile, and inexpensive.
How To: Create a land mine prop
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about land mines.
How To: Set up a hot chick bloody gun shot stunt double
This Kipkay video shows you how to make a squib for a perfect bloody gun shot effect. This Special FX howto will make your gorey bullet hole movie so much more realistic. You need a garden hose valve to build this movie effect.
How To: Create a clone effect in Wax for films
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about cloning.
How To: Build a laser gun prop and create laser effects
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about laser guns.
How To: Build two lightsabers, make effects, and use the force
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about lightsabers.
How To: Create a "Watchmen" Silk Spectre costume with Gianny L
Are you a "Watchmen" fan? Especially Silk Spectre? Well, learn how to create a sexy "Watchmen" Silk Spectre costume in just a few simple steps with Gianny L. The sexy GiannyL demonstrates this DIY closet hack that's simple and cheap. Just cut up an old jacket for your costume outfit to look just like the comic book superhero from the now famous graphic novel.
How To: Make a Rorschach mask effect from the Watchmen
See how you can make Rorschach's mask from the new hit movie, "The Watchmen". For just under twenty bucks, Erik from Indy Mogul, will show you how to recreate the inkblot effect from Rorschach's mask in "The Watchmen" movie.
How To: Create a phenakistoscope (early form of animation)
The phenakistoscope is a predecessor of the flip book, but don’t worry: it’s easier to make than pronounce.
How To: Put on Star Wars Stormtrooper armor
The street friendly Stormtrooper of Japan, Danny Choo shows how to put on Stormtrooper armor. This is a cool fanboy video or practical how-to for Star Wars fanatics or Halloween.
How To: Make polarization filter from 3D Glasses and lens cap
If you're a serious film buff then these glasses will totally give you a cinemagasm. This polarization filter uses a pair of 3D glasses as a base and combines the glasses with a lens cap to reduce glare and any reflections that could tamper with your viewing experience.
How To: Make a robotic arm and make cheap lighting for shoots
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to make a robotic arm and create cheap lighting for shoots.
How To: Build a cheap and portable green screen
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to build a cheap and portable green screen.
How To: Create an ice frozen actor makeup special effect
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to create an ice frozen actor makeup special effect.
How To: Create a hand stab effect and Halo Portal Gun
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to create a hand stab effect and Halo Portal Gun.
How To: Use liquid latex to do Phantom of the Opera makeup FX
Video tutorial on how to use liquid latex to make yourself look like a character of some kind, in this case Erik, the Phantom of the Opera. This is a four part video on doing Erik Phantom of the Opera facial makeup. This is a pro FX makeup lesson. SFX is pretty easily, but follow along.
How To: Design & apply costume FX to become the Terminator
This tutorial will show you how I created my own original Terminator costume from scratch and a modest budget. All the materials used are easy to find items sold at your local Hallowe'en or theatrical costume store.
How To: Build a fun foam boffer sword
Watch this video tutorial to see how to build a fun foam boffer sword! These boffer swords for any of your larping needs!
How To: Impress a casting director
If you want to make it as an actor, you’ll need to get the parts. So the first step on the road to fame is impressing the casting director.
How To: Build Battlestar Galactica Cylon arm gauntlet armor
This is part 2 of a 12 part series on how to build a classic Cylon armor. Todays build is on the arm gantlet pieces. This is a part of the BSG Battlestar Galactica Cylon armor.
How To: Create stop motion animation with these basic tips
Here are a few stop motion animation tips. You will need a digital camcorder, editing software, and clay or Legos. This video lends advice for basic stop motion animation. Avoid common mistakes if you are a beginner animator.
How To: Shoot and edit a 3D movie
Sick of making BORING two-dimensional movies? In this video tutorial, an episode of Indy Mogul 4 Minute Film School, you will learn how to shoot and edit a 3D movie.
How To: Make a great audition tape for a reality show
So you want to be a reality TV star. The first step? Wow the producers with an awesome audition tape.
How To: Cry convincingly on stage
Knowing a few tricks of the trade will help you cry at the drop of a hat. You Will Need:
How To: Make a no-sew superhero cape
Ditch the needle and thread, enjoy a fun family project, and give your little crusader the ultimate crime-fighting tool. Learn how to make a no-sew superhero cape.
How To: Create the Matrix stop bullet effect
Adam from Chemical Reaction wants to show you a little movie magic. This video tutorial will show you how to create the Matrix stop bullet effect for your homemade film. To recreate the bullet stop effect from the Matrix without a lot of money, this is how you're going to do it. Make sure you get a real looking toy handgun and a bullet to match. Then all it comes down to is a little camera work and a little editing.
How To: Make an Assassin's Creed hidden blade prop
Adam from Chemical Reaction wants to show you a little movie magic. This video tutorial will show you how to make an Assassin's Creed hidden blade prop for your homemade film. If you're a fan of the Assassin's Creed video game, then you can't not make this hidden blade. This is a great prop for anybody wanting to recreate it for a fan film. It's cheap and quite easy and works pretty well.
How To: Shoot and edit a cool dance effect
Adam from Chemical Reaction wants to show you a little movie magic. This video tutorial will show you how to shoot and edit a cool dance effect for your homemade film. You will see how to position the camera, set up the scene, shoot it twice (once with your legs dancing and once with you standing still), and then edit it in your favorite editing program to make it look like you're dancing without the top half of your body moving.
How To: Adjust audio on the Canon XH-A1 Digital Camcorder
Do you own the Canon XH-A1 Digital Camcorder? If so, you might want to check out this lengthy video tutorial that shows you the ins and outs to the Canon XH-A1, the High Definition digital camera for the professional and serious non-pro alike. Learn how to make manual adjustments to fine-tune your audio by setting the mic mode with the onboard microphone or an external mic, along with alternative microphones. This shows a bunch of tips and tricks for you cameramen and sound pros.