Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Discover claymation stop motion animation
Making an animated film? This short and easy animation tutorial provides beginners the bare minimum to begin creating a claymation or stop motion animation film. This instructional video shows how to move claymation characters, how to control the lighting, and how to create a visually interesting set with props. This claymation video also compares the different results when you vary the frames per second.
How To: Make a Mamshmam's claymation character
This quick instructional claymation video reveals how to make a Mamshmam claymation clay person for a stop motion animation video. Follow these simple steps to create a Mamshmam claymation character: roll into a ball, pinch the top to create the head, push the middle to make the stomach, squish the sides to create arms, push down clay to finish legs, and smooth him out.
How To: Balance a GlideCam using a Canon XL2
Watch this quick instructional cinematography video that shows how to balance a Canon XL2 professional HD digital camera on a GlideCam 4000 Pro. Learn how to secure the camera using this handheld camcorder stabilizer to prevent unwanted swaying, shoot fluid traveling shots, and produce professional works.
How To: Make a fur suit mask skeleton
In this mask making tutorial video, learn how to make a fur suit skeleton of a mask using simple materials such as plastic canvas, a hot glue gun, scissors, hard paper, white foam, and fasteners. This video is great for beginners who want to learn the craft of creating a fur suit mask.
How To: Make paws for your fur suit costume
This costume making tutorial explains how to make a hand paw for your fur suit or Halloween costume with an old pair of gloves. This video was inspired by Chinook McMutton Z and uses pictures taken during the creation of the paws. Start roleplaying by making paws for your fur suit or animal costume.
How To: Build a stop motion animation stage
This short construction tutorial video shows how to build a small, simple stage from scratch specifically for animating a claymation or stop motion animation project. Construct the ideal world for your claymation characters or stop motion animation armatures and puppets. All you have to do is follow this video then drill holes wherever you want your tie downs to pass through and you're off to the races. Just use the following materials to build your own stage: an armature with foot tie-downs,...
How To: Rotoscope
Rotoscoping is the process of removing unwanted lines or images or anything from an animation. You go frame by frame and remove whatever you need invisible by creating a mask layer around it. If you have never rotoscoped before, check out this tutorial and get a brief history and basic understanding of how you can create artistic rotoscope animations.
How To: Make a claymation character for stop motion animation
Here is a video tutorial that offers basic tips on crafting a simple claymation character using everyday, household objects. Soften a single chunk of material and pull your claymation character's limbs and head from it. Insert a toothpick (or armature) to stabilize the body and head. Pull out facial features with small tools. Experiment with different poses and facial expressions to make a fun animation. This playful claymation how to video is great for beginning animators, so sit back and en...
How To: Do the sandercurl claymation trick for stop motion
Watch this short animation tutorial on how to perform the sandercurl trick for claymation animation videos.
How To: Configure the Redrock microShouldermount
Watch this cinematography tutorial on how to use the microShouldermount, which can be attached onto a tripod or used in its typical configuration as a shoulder mount. You can attach a monitor along the grip rod. Learn the essentials of the Redrock mounting systems for professional digital video cameras. Interesting tutorial for professional cameramen & digital filmmakers.
How To: Improve the sound of your digital camcorder
This video shows you how to upgrade your consumer camcorder sound capabilities using a camcorder XLR adapter, a simple device that mounts to the bottom of the camera. It then tests and compares the various types of microphones that can be attached, including the lavalier, sennheiser, handheld interview, and the wireless clip-on microphone. WAtch this helpful instructional video, and boost the sound on your camcorder for professional audio.
How To: Sculpt hair onto a claymation armature
The final humanizing step in building a claymation armature is the crowning step, the head of hair. As hair moves independent of the body, and is not a solid unit, it can be especially tricky to sculpt out of clay and to attach properly. Watch this video animation tutorial and learn how to sculpt a head of hair onto a clay armature for a realistic stop motion figure.
How To: Pose a claymation armature for stop motion animation
This video animation tutorial demonstrates the process of moving a clay armature into poses for stop motion animation. It can be a challenge to instill expression into an inanimate object, but therein lies the skill of a talented animator. Watch this instructional video and learn how to pose a claymation figure.
How To: Dress and pose a clay armature for stop motion
This video animation tutorial shows how to take a raw claymation figure and apply a costume onto it, as well as pose it in a scene. In this particular video, the demonstrator creates a wrap-around dress out of a sheet of clay and position it onto the armature. Also shown, is the process of molding the armature into a natural shape or body position as a starting point of a scene. Watch this instructional video and learn how to dress and pose an armature for claymation stop motion animation.
How To: Make clay look like fabric for stop motion armatures
This video animation tutorial demonstrates a technique for creating a fabric-like effect out of clay for stop motion figures, or armatures. Instead of smooth clay, try to give a more authentic finish to clay that will be used to create clothing. This technique will also create patterned fabrics. You'll need to chop the clay up first in a food processor, and then put it through a pasta machine. Watch this instructional video and learn how to make clay look like fabric for claymation armature c...
How To: Sculpt the face of a polymer clay stop motion armature
This video animation tutorial demonstrates the process of sculpting a human face out of polymer clay as part of an armature for stop motion animation. The demonstrator begins by molding a piece of polymer clay into the general shape of a human skull and neck, and impresses the more finite features with the aid of a flexible sculpting tool. Watch this instructional video and learn how to sculpt the face of a polymer clay stop motion armature.
How To: Splice film and do a reel to reel
Trying to get a job as a projectionist, or just setting up an in-home theater? This film editing video tutorial shows how to splice film together and switch from reel to reel. Watch this instructional video and splice just like a master projectionist.
How To: Make an armature out of clay and foil for stopmotion
This video demonstration series shows the process of creating an armature for stop motion animation, claymation specifically, out of aluminum foil and polymer clay. Armatures need to be flexible to withstand the positioning and repositioning required to make stop motion animation, but still secure enough so that the material won't break. For this reason, a tin foil skeleton provides a sound structure to the clay armature. Watch this video animation tutorial and learn how to sculpt an armature...
How To: Create the effect of someone crawling through the TV
This week, Indy Mogul, Erik shows how to recreate the effect of someone crawling out of a TV. Just like in that scary movie The Ring. It's actually not expensive, just about $30. You will need scrap wood, poster board, tape, and flat bright green paint. Watch this video film special effects tutorial and learn how to make the effect of someone crawling through a television.
How To: Direct an actor without interfering
Indie moguls, Anson and Don, give a tip they picked up from fellow director, Ron Howard. An overeager director might interfere with the acting process, but Anson and Don (as well as Ron Howard) suggest the don't say something until you have to say something method. Watch this video how to direct tutorial and learn a helpful tip about working with an actor.
How To: Transform into Heath Ledger's Joker for Halloween
Since "The Dark Knight" is basically the biggest movie of all time, and with Heath Ledger's unfortunate death, the Joker is going to be a pretty hot Halloween costume this year, and for years to come. Fortunately, the Joker's makeup can be pretty easily recreated at home.
How To: Make housing for a video camera to film underwater
Expand your filming range by waterproofing your video camera! Learn how to create an inexpensive underwater camera housing. It is a good video, but it moves a bit too fast for the viewer to learn clearly.
How To: Make movie prop fake blood
This tutorial video will show you how to make fake blood that looks great as a movie prop, or a Halloween costume. This is a great video for amateur film makers and costume enthusiasts alike.
How To: Make Dark Knight Joker makeup
Want to make makeup like the Joker? Watch this how to video. Products used:
How To: Make an underwater video camera housing
This tutorial video sequence will show you how to make a home made underwater camera housing for your camera. for under $50. This apparatus is made using a pvc pipe , a end cap , perspexs, and a screw end lid with rubber seal. This is a great way to keep your camera dry when making underwater shots.
How To: Make a pan tilt unit for your camera
This tutorial cinematography video will show you how to make a pan tilt unit for your camera using two $9 cordless screwdrivers from Walmart. This is a great camera solution for anyone looking to do things on the cheap.
How To: Build your own camera stabilizaer
It is difficult to keep the camera stabile during high g force accelerations. I built this arm to keep my mini DV cam from shaking all over the place and it worked pretty well. This tutorial video will show you how to make an awesome camera stabilizer.
How To: Make a PVC track camera dolly
This tutorial video will show you how to make a simple camera dolly for amateur filmmaking and videography is simple and cheap to build, easily disassembled, relatively lightweight, has mounting points for a standard camera tripod. Make a PVC track camera dolly.
How To: Make a camera dolly for smooth shots
This tutorial video guide will give you a $40 step by step instructions to make a camera dolly that produces a professional effect. a dolly helps make a smooth, gliding shot that will make your audience feel much more enveloped in the movie.
How To: Make a camera dolly
This tutorial video will teach you how to make a camera dolly that is extremely affordable. This camera dolly is great for amateur film making and other purposes.
How To: Make a two axis panning timelapse head for DSLR
Way too much to explain here but, here is a quick overview so you can see where I'm headed with this new head. This tutorial video will give you an idea of how to make a camera attachment that will allow you to pan in two axes and take time lapse shots.
How To: Make a gaseous and bubbling pumpkin
Dr. Diana teaches you how to turn your "hum drum" pumpkin into a gaseous, bubbly pumpkin using dry ice, warm water and soap for your Halloween party. For another tutorial on this same dry ice and pumpkin principle, check out "How To Use dry ice for halloween special effects." Between these two videos, your halloween party will be the talk of the town.
How To: Make fake and drinkable blood
In this Halloween Science Video Series, Dr. Diana teaches you how to make fake and drinkable blood using ingredients from your kitchen. This recipe is perfect for your Halloween Party. Now all you need is some fangs for that blood to drip down, and you'll have the scariest costume.
How To: Use dry ice for halloween special effects
Dr. Diana teaches you how to make fog, a gaseous, bubbly pumpkin for your Halloween Party, and well as other experiments using dry ice. The guests at your Halloween party are really going to love these effects.
How To: Build a low cost teleprompter with Bill Myers
This video is about how to create a low cost teleprompter using your computer, a long vga cable, and your LCD or Plasma TV
How To: Make your own steadycam
No one wants to watch something that was filmed with a shaky camera. This cinematography tutorial video will show you how to make your own steadycam for smooth shots when filming.
How To: Make a wax hand
This tutorial video will show you how to make a hand out of wax using some candles and water. This is a great idea for making props and various pieces needed to decorate a film set, or a halloween idea.
How To: Build a vibrating 35mm adaptor for HD cinematography
This 2-part camera mechanical tutorial is for showing howto make a vibrating 35mm adapter. The vibrating adaptor is for high definition cinematography, and is useful for eliminating certain dust particles while shooting. The first video is to show the material and the first test with a Canon HV20.
How To: Create a camera tripod with a rubber band
There are a lot of ways to keep your camera from shaking. Most of these involve expensive devices known as tripods. If you're super stingy and don't want to spring from a tripod, this video tutorial will show you how to make one using only a rubber band. The method shown in this cinematography video is small, simple, and very effective for keeping your camera from shaking.
How To: Use low cost fluorescent lights when shooting video
See the low cost fluorescent lights Bill Myers uses when shooting video, and how to quickly set your camcorder to get perfect color under these lights.