Hot Film & Theater How-Tos — Page 22 of 35 « Film & Theater

How To: Build a lightsaber prop for film making

Backyard FX shows how to build a real lightsaber. Erik Beck unearths the original lightsaber blueprints from the special effects creator for Star Wars, and show you how to buy parts to a real lightsaber so you can have your own custom Star Wars weapon. In the test film you'll see our rotoscoping technique on how to complete the effect with some simple computer animation. You will need chrome plated slip joints, black vinyl rubber, a nylon slip joint, a rubber slip joint, rubber O rings, and m...

How To: Recreate the Joker's makeup from the Dark Knight movie

This video series demonstrates a take on the screen accurate Joker from "The Dark Knight." The materials and makeup used are all from a company called Mehron, specifically the Extra Flesh that used for the scars, the Liquid Latex, the Spirit Gum, and the Fantasy F/X Tube Makeup. Watch this video special effects tutorial and learn how to do the Joker's makeup from the Batman Dark Knight movie for a Halloween costume or a new life as a sociopath.

How To: Do Joker scar makeup from the Batman Dark Knight movie

With the Dark Knight being one of the most successful movies of all time, the Joker is sure to be a sought after Halloween costume. While the make-up might seem tricky to apply, this video shows how to recreate it. Watch this video special effects tutorial series and learn how to do the makeup for the Joker from Batman's Dark Knight movie.

How To: Sew a pair of fox ears for a costume

Costume fox ears are simple to make. Just draft a pattern, cut them out of the fabric, and sew it all together. Watch this video wardrobe and costume-making tutorial and learn how to build a pair of fox ears. Come Halloween, you'll have a costume ready and waiting to go.

How To: Make a fur suit elk head costume

You don't need to go buy an expensive costume, or rent a fur suit that countless people have already sweat into. Make a fur suit just the way you want it at home. The fur suit can be a great Halloween costume or movie prop. Watch this video wardrobe and costuming video tutorial series and learn how to build an elk head fur suit costume.

How To: Build a prop hover board

Ever since Back to the Future Part Two, every kid has wanted their own hover board. Parker put together this tutorial to show how to get one step closer to the dream, by building a prop hover board. You will need a plastic lid, spray paint, hot glue, a small circuit board, Mod Podge sealant, and an old skateboard. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to build hover board prop.

How To: Build a Batman grappling gun prop

No Batman Halloween costume is complete without a grappling gun and hook. Parker put together this video to teach how to make this easy prop. You will need a fake plastic gun, two mini DVDs, cardboard, scissors, miscellaneous hardware, two checkers, duct tape, spray paint, and a hot glue gun. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to build a Batman-style grappling gun prop.

How To: Build a Ghostbusters proton pack prop

When you need to make a Ghostbusters prop, who are you going to call? Parker! In this video, he shows you how to make a proton pack prop for Halloween, play, or a home movie. You will need a vacuum hose, a small box, miscellaneous plastic parts, a medium circular tin, a big box, a tin can, a water bottle, a coke bottle, a race car trigger, a cookie package, and a pudding container. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to build a Ghostbusters proton pack.

How To: Build a prop teleportation chamber

Unfortunately, no one seems to have, or willing to share, the science of making a real teleportation chamber. That doesn't mean you can't make a prop one though. Parker put together this video to show us how. You will need foam core poster board, a hot glue gun, duct tape, a pane of glass or plastic, silver spray paint, black paint, and cardboard. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to build a teleportation chamber.

How To: Build a mini machine gun prop

Feeling a bit like Bonnie or Clyde, without the reckless disregard for human life? This mini machine gun is a great prop for Halloween or a homemade action movie. You will need a joystick, pipe, cardboard, a small box, PVC pipe, a cylindrical box, a hot glue gun, a sharp knife, and a stand. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to make a mini machine gun.

How To: Build a hand held steadicam

Don't take shaky footage? Make a homemade steadicam and use it to prevent jumpy shots. You will need two lawn mower wheels, nuts, PVC pipe, a tri pod head, a bar, wood, and zip ties. Watch this video cinematography tutorial and learn how to build a hand held steadicam from simple materials.

How To: Make a bicycle camera mount

Shoot an action-packed close up, or film while you're biking around. All you need to do is build a simple bicycle camera mount. You'll need a tripod mount, PVC pipe, pliers, bungee cord, a U bolt and a bike. Watch this video cinematography tutorial and learn how to build a bicycle camera mount.

How To: Make replacement mouths for stop motion armatures

Mouths are so expressive, which can be tricky to animate. A simple way to capture the movement is to craft several mouths to alternate. Watch this video animation tutorial and learn how to make replacement mouths for stop motion animation armature puppets.

How To: Keep armature puppet standing without a tiedown

Armatures basically stand up on their own, but while animating, the balance might become uneven and precarious. An easy way to keep the puppet standing is to give the armature large feet. Watch this video animation tutorial and learn how to build an armature puppet that will stay down during the stop motion animation without using a tiedown.

How To: Make a 6 inch armature for stop motion animation

Stop motion animation can actually be created at home. Build an armature out of wire and epoxy. Follow along with the step by step directions in this instructional video and learn how to build an armature. Watch this video and start shooting some stop motion animation.

How To: Understand television interlacing

Interlacing is not evil. In fact, it's a brilliant solution to some really thorny technological problems. This segment explains exactly how interlacing works, why it's important, when you want to use it and how to get rid of it when you don't. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to understand interlacing.

How To: Frame and compose a shot for film

What makes a good movie good is that it is both aesthetically pleasing and has an interesting point/plot. This video runs you through how to make it visually effective, stressing how you frame and compose a shot. While the Rule of Thirds is forever a great way to make shots interesting, there are other ways you can set up a shot.

How To: Make a Steadicam flying camera support

Garret Brown's original Steadicam® is an icon that revolutionized filmmaking. Being the first and the best, it naturally and justifiably commands a premium price. It is for this reason that homemade DIY Flying Camera Supports have been around since at least 1977, just one short year after Mr. Brown's invention. With this tradition in mind, learn the two fundamental principles behind the Steadicam and how to build your own Flying Camera Support by watching this video filmmaking tutorial.

How To: Understand depth of field while focusing a camcorder

Depth of Field (DoF) is easy to understand, but it is often extremely poorly explained. It's all about selective focus. For consumers with conveniently small camcorders, you only have two options: get your subject away from the background and then (1) zoom in or (2) get the subject close to the camera. No 35mm lens adapters, no secret techniques, no complex math: That's it!

How To: Create infinite white lighting cheaply

Going towards the infinite white light means something totally different these days. When we talk about the infinite white light, we're thinking less spiritual and more aesthetically pleasing. That's because a background consisting of a blurry, infinite white light is one of the most flattering you can use for a human subject.

How To: Make fake blood

Scare the crap out of people this Halloween by sporting some very realistic fake blood. This recipe also makes for a nice and cheap movie prop. You will need 20 oz. of light corn syrup, red, blue, and yellow food coloring, cough syrup, and chicken livers. Watch this video prop making tutorial and learn how make fake blood.

How To: Navigate the RED ONE video submenu

The Red One Camera has loads of menu and sub menus to explore. In this video, we dive into the video menu button on the back of the Red Camera. The focus is the video sub menu and all the feature contained within, including color, gain, and detail.

How To: Assemble the RED ONE into a film style camera

This tutorial builds the RED ONE camera from scratch into a traditional film style camera, complete with matte box and follow focus.

How To: Assemble the RED ONE camera into a light weight mode

Here we assemble the RED ONE camera into a 22 lbs ultra light hand-held version, perfect for documentary filmmakers and ENG crews.

How To: Use the RED ONE CAMERA program buttons

The Red One Camera has three buttons labeled A B and C on the back of the camera. Each of these buttons have a specific feature that is the default setting. Learn what these buttons do.

How To: Connect the Red Drive to the RED ONE camera

Learn the hard drive basics of the Red One camera. Mount and boot up the Red Drive.

How To: Setup your RED ONE project settings & format media

Before you do any shooting on the Red One Camera, you must set up your project settings and format your media with the settings you plan on shooting with. 2K, 3K, or 4K and your FPS must be set or face bad consequences when you go to edit this footage.