Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Use depth of field in your amateur film
This video gives you some tips on how to make your movies and amateur films better using depth of field.
How To: Apply three point lighting to your amateur film making
Three point lighting is the standard used to illuminate a subject for amateur film, video, and even theater application.
How To: Get better voice overs for your amateur film making
If you plan to do a voice-over on a video, there are a few ways to get that big studio sound in your amateur film without the big studio usage fees. This episode of Jim Shorts gives you a look inside Jim Shorts, at how I do some voice-over work, and how you can do the same thing for next to nothing.
How To: Obtain free and legal music for your amateur filming
Several great YouTubers have had their accounts suspended for illegally using copyrighted music from those easily agitated big record labels. This episode of Jim Shorts covers places you can go to find awesome music for your videos that won't end your YouTube career.
How To: Get crisper colors for your amateur film making
This video focuses on improving your video's general color thanks to the feature known as white balancing.
How To: Use depth of film in amateur film making
Depth of field is the term for how much of an area your camera keeps in focus. Moving your camera allows you to keep your subject clear, and make the background blurry. Use this video to get better control of your film making.
How To: Use perspective in amateur film making
Sometimes we can get so caught up in what we're filming that we forget that how we're filming is also important. Use these tips to spice up your amateur film making and change around your camera angles.
How To: Frame a shot in film making
In this installment, learn about the six basic shots that you'll see professional videographers and filmmakers using. Learning to frame a shot properly is an important aspect of good video production.
How To: Use screen direction in amateur film making
In this episode of Jim Shorts, you can take a look at the flow, or screen direction aspect of your video. Knowing how to use screen direction can help you move your story along. Not knowing how to use it can disrupt your story, or bring it to a halt altogether. Use these handy tips to help out your amateur film making.
How To: Put on your Stormtrooper costume
Tom goes over his method for putting on his Stormtrooper costume.
How To: Add a fan to a helmet or mash
Tom shows you how to put a cooling fan into a mask or helmet to keep your noggin cool on those hot trooping days.
How To: Operate a 16mm motion picture projector
This nifty tutorial from the United States Air Force will teach you how to operate a 16mm Motion Picture Projector, should you ever come in contact with one. Operate a 16mm motion picture projector.
How To: Make a studio light out of a tin can
A brief demo of me making a studio light from a tin can. This video uses a GU-10 light socket and 50W(120v)globe aka bulb.
How To: Make a keyframe video and animation in amateur film
This tutorial will show you basic keyframe and animation techniques for amateur film making.
How To: Modify your studio lights for under $7.00
This video provides a handy guide for modifying bright studio lights with dimmer switches. This video is quite handy for the amateur film maker who is tired of the harsh light from his studio lights.
How To: Use lighting on the cheap
Some tips on how to do professional lighting on the cheap. This video provides low-price lighting tips for students and amateur film-makers alike.
How To: Properly light a blue screen for special effects
This video shows you how to light up a bluescreen for special effects. The bluescreen must be well lit in order for the effect to be more seamless win post production.
How To: Set up three point lighting for film making
This video covers the basic positions and uses for three point lighting: the hair light, the fill light, and the key light.
How To: Create good 3 point lighting for amateur film making
Lighting techniques for your feature or short film. This video covers three point lighting techniques.
How To: Create better lighting for a webcam on a budget
This video focuses on improving your lighting in a small budget webcam setting.
How To: Make a bionic vagina costume
Do you need to have some sort of bionic vagina in your next film? Do you want to scare the hell out of your parents during Halloween with this costume of the female muscular tube? Maybe you just want to be a vagina? Who knows. But you can see how to do it right here.
How To: Give yourself a black eye using just a newspaper
In general, no one actually WANTS a black eye. But if you're filming a movie, in a play, or just want to freak out your mom and dad or friends, it's nice to know how to "put on" a fake one.
How To: Cut dome holes for your R2D2
This is a tutorial on how to cut the round holes on your R2D2 dome, why? Aren't there enough R2D2s out there? I think there are. But just in case you want to make your own Star Wars film, here you go.
How To: Blow your actor in half with this cool film effect
Make sure and watch this episode as we tackle another heavily requested effect... making someone look blown in half! Jam packed with cheap special effects, Frisbee fun, and a Test Film guest directed by Maniacal Rage!
How To: Create the low budget bullet ricochet effect
Tomi shows you home to create that cool bullet ricochet dust effect for your low budget indie film.
How To: Create the Indiana Jones budget crystal skull
This is an Indiana Jones special that shows you how to make your very own crystal skull. You can't miss this episode! Erik dressed as professor Indy, test film by Waverly Films, and much more!
How To: Create the Indiana Jones face melt effect
Welcome to our Indiana Jones special. This week, we've been challenged by Eric Zala, the director of "Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation" to create an awesome face melt effect for cheap! This is probably Indy Mogul's grossest effect yet, so you better not get nauseous or anything, because you might just want to use this for your film!
How To: Prepare for your first professional film shoot
In this episode, Steve shares some knowledge he's gained through working on no-budget movies to help keep production smooth and professional. With hits from Jared like "How to Properly Clean Your Lens the Night Before a Shoot", this episode is sure to hit #1 on the Billboard Charts for podcasts! What? Billboard doesn't chart podcasts!?!
How To: Create a realistic knife throw effect for your film
This week, Erik shows you how to create the awesome effect of throwing a knife into a person's head! This effect is used in big budget movies like the "Matrix" and we're going to show you how to do it for less then twenty dollars!
How To: Use the 35mm adapter for your digital camcorder
Want to challenge the filmmakers who spend millions of dollars on their films, yet, still have the nerve to call themselves indie? Pick up a 35mm adapter or build one yourself and you can give your movies that "film look" and start being taken more seriously!
How To: Make a popular internet live show
Sarah Austin from Pop17 has been getting a lot of emails recently about how she makes her live show. Well, this is how she does it, so listen up carefully. She covers everything from the audio to lights and green screen.
How To: Make a picture in picture video with your computer
This video explains how to make a picture in picture video. However, this technique does require Quicktime Pro.
How To: Make a swimmable mermaid tail
Here is a step by step tutorial for making a swimmable mermaid tail. Check out Video #2 for a demonstration of the tail in use!
How To: Build a Camcorder Steadycam
Jason, from The Gadget Show, shows us how it's possible to build your own Steadycam for only £50 (97.65500 U.S. dollars)!
How To: Fake super powers
Learn how To fake super powers. Helpful for filmmakers on a low budget. Part 1 of 2 - How to Fake super powers.
How To: Make costume hooves
They are made from a pair of comfortable wedge sandals, and are very durable. Materials used:
How To: Edit a 4K file source with the Red Camera
Ted from Red Digital, and Michael from PlasterCITY, shows how to take a 4k source file, edit in real time, and make dailies in Final Cut Pro.
How To: Submit an audition video to Playboy
Sexy Playboy Cyber Girl Dana Dicillo has some advice for you in making your audition video for Holly's 55th Anniversary Playmate Search reality show. If you ever wanted to be in Playboy, you need to watch this.
How To: Light your video with three options
You've got a camera, you've got some shooting know-how, and your audio is sounding sweet. Now, what about lighting? This video shows you three options for lighting your film.
How To: Best light your webcam video
Anthony and Ian of Smosh, and Logitech, provide you with some simple tips on how to best light your webcam video shoot. Just don't get caught with your pants down...