Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Find cheap and cool DIY lighting for your film
Continuing on with budget lighting, we explore using Fluorescent and LED lights, along with using available light, bouncing it with a reflector. These setups will work great for interviews, video casting, vlogging, and the likes. These lights use less power and also generate much less heat then big halogen work lights, and the price can't be beat. We also show the benefits of adjusting white balance on your camera, with lots of before and after shots. If you are shooting independent movies, s...
How To: Make fake skin easily for your Halloween haunting
Make fake skin for your Halloween fun, just like we did when I was a kid! Use it for fake cuts, burns, and other ghoulish fun! Or use it to cover up those ghastly birthmarks.
How To: Make bloody cuts and slashes for Halloween
Special effect makeup, at home and easy. Make fake cuts and slashes for your Halloween haunting! Or any other day of the year, especially Valentine's Day.
How To: Light a scene properly
Take Zer0 covers the topic of lighting, again, because lighting is and always will be an expansive area. We begin by describing the reasons why proper lighting will help to accentuate a scene. And lastly is a visual demonstration of how one common lighting technique can be applied.
How To: Edit film as a beginner
Peter from Take Zer0 tells you all the little things he knows about how to properly cut your footage together. He'll ramble about stuff like "leading the viewer's eye" and "cut between movement"—principles of movie editing. For some reason, though, Sean keeps interrupting him; and later on, Peter steps outside to look at a lawn gnome.
How To: Rip a heart out of someone's chest for fun - or movies
If you've seen Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, you'll know one of the greatest special effects of the film is where Mola Ram rips the heart out of someone's chest. In this episode of Backyard FX, Erik recreates that effect with the help of his family members. Don't forget to check out our previous episode on how to create a fake heart.
How To: Storyboard your films
Unless it's a scene with so many punches and kicks and explosions, storyboarding an entire movie or short isn't a requirement. However, it can be of use anyway; especially if your movie calls for seventy different shots that you can't all remember; or if you need a visual reference to hand to your crew.
How To: Build your own DIY camera dolly
Does your production need the smooth graceful movement of a dolly, but lack the $1,800 it would cost to buy one? Welcome the DIY Dolly! Watch this episode, as Erik and Jared show you how to build your very own dolly.
How To: Build Kano's Mortal Kombat metal cyborg face
Are you a big Mortal Kombat fan? Do you need a cool terminator or cyborg effect? Do you love Hannah Montana? If you answered "YES" to any of these questions then you need to watch this episode!
How To: Design and build cheap demon wings
If you watched the Demon Makeup episode and wanted more, then you really need to see this episode! Erik shows you how to make life-sized demon wings that you can wear. Dust off your pitchfork and press play.
How To: Create realistic wounds and stitches
In this episode of BFX, Erik shows you how to create a gross and realistic gash that you can stitch up. It looks so good you can even stitch it up on camera! Plus Gary eats a sandwich and an homage to the Simpsons! What else could you want?
How To: Make an acrylic special effects eye with a mold kit
This short video is on how to use your new Eye Mold Kit from Ken Banks. It's simple and easy, and it makes a great looking acrylic eye for any special effect.
How To: Build your own ten foot long camera dolly track
Need some smooth pan shots for your indie film? How about a cool dolly zoom effect? Well, you don't need to be a professional filmmaker to use such a device, but you do need the money for the gear. But—if you can work your way around the workshop, you can probably build your own camera dolly and track just fine. And for under $100! This video shows you how to build your own DIY dolly and dolly track, and all you need are the parts listed below. Then you just need to learn the art of the dolly...
How To: Make a shoebox lens for your camera
You can make a great picture effect with just an ordinary shoe box, some paint, a magnifying glass, and a piece of plastic. Try this for a great camera lens trick.
How To: Make super smooth pan shots with your camera tripod
Want to have super smooth pan shots? Yes? Well, all you need is some simple, stretched out, rubber bands. That's it.
How To: Make a costume wig out of pasta for cosplay
James Saint James, author of Party Monster, teaches you how to make a wig out of green vermicelli. Yes, really. Host is Lenora Claire. Great tutorial for those interested in cosplay.
How To: Make tentacle face costume makeup for cosplay
James St. James, author of Party Monster, teaches you how to make a tentacle face makeup prosthetics...out of cereal! Your host for the show is Lenora Claire. Perfect tutorial for those interested in cosplay. Use liquid latex, which you can get at any theatrical supply store.
How To: Create storm trooper armor with vacuum forms
Learn the basics of vacuum forming to create storm trooper costume items.
How To: Make things disappear in a video
A short video on how to make things disappear by using a simple editing trick.
How To: Fake a severed finger with bubble gum
Here is an easy and cheap way to fake a realistic finger partially cut off. Just need bubble gum and makeup. Very good tip to scare your friends or just make an evil prank.
How To: Use camera stabilization equipment
In this episode, we dive into the expensive, or, at the least, tedious realm of camera stabilization equipment. This ranges from the all-powerful, all-knowing fluid tripod head, to the much used and often abused dolly. We don't own and operate an actual Steadicam or a jib or a crane, but hey, we'll mention them, too.
How To: Make a cheap lightsaber prop from Star Wars
This video will show you how to make some cheap Star Wars light saber movie props with a few hardware store items such as pvc pipe, pool cues, duct tape, electrical tape, and spray paint.
How To: Create simple claymation using a digital camera
Check out this video to learn how to make a basic claymation sequence. You can expand on this technique to create claymation animations for your film and video uses. This technique involves using a still digital camera and importing it into Quicktime Pro.
How To: Make bullet squibbs for film special effects
Check this video to learn how to make DIY squib special effects for your film.
How To: Use the sun as a key light for photography and video
Israel Hyman shows yow how to use the sun as a key light for film, video, and photography, including how its angle affects your subject’s look.
How To: Create a simulated shallow depth of field
60 Second Filmmaking Lessons explains how to create a simulated shallow depth of field when shooting video, podcasts, or photography.
How To: Shoot an anonymous interview for documentaries
Watch this video to learn how to shoot anonymous interviews for documentaries. Matt explains how to maintain anonymity using the proper lighting and audio effects.
How To: Record audio for internet videos & podcasts
In this riveting episode of The Shirtless Apprentice, Matt discusses recording audio for your internet video and podcast.It all begins with your camera, microphone options, surroundings and the inherent sexiness of your voice.
How To: Make a realistic Star Wars lightsaber
This video show how to make a realistic looking Star Wars Lightsaber for costumes and props from materials found at any hardware store.
How To: Create mise-en-scene for your film
Watch this video to learn how to create mise-en-scene if you are making a movie. Elements of mise-en-scene are explained. Apply these ideas to your own film!
How To: Talk like a pirate
The Pirate Guys, Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy teach ye lubbers the basics of talkin' like a pirate. Simply put, you will gain the vernacular of Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Carribbean in no time!
How To: Make fake scars with bubblegum
A technique for making scars for parties,halloween, movie fx, or maybe just a joke or prank.
How To: Make your own track dolly
Build a track dolly for about £80. This is great for getting professional dolly shots when making your own films.
How To: Monitor sound on a camcorder with no headphone jack
Does your video camera not have a headphone jack? This cool idea enables you to use a pair of headphones to monitor what your video camera is hearing in real time.
How To: Using "three point lighting" for video
We tagged along as Mark gave a 3 point lighting demonstration at a recent Videomaker Workshop.
How To: Film in a moving vehicle
Jennifer demonstrates an in car video camera techniques by showing different ways to shoot video from a moving vehicle.
How To: Use deceptive shooting by crunching the depth of field
Mark and Andrew demonstrate how to crunch the depth of field to achieve two camera tricks. By crunching the field of view it makes the action closer than it really is. Often used when filming fight scenes or being "hit by a car" scene.
How To: Record ambient noise to enhance your audio clip
John shows us how to record ambient noise to enhance the audio of your video.
How To: Use the speed-up background effect
John demonstrates how to create the speed up background effect which evokes a "calm and reflection in a chaotic world" with this easy effect.
How To: Shoot better hand-held footage with your video camera
Jennifer gives Melissa, a beginning videographer, some pointers on shooting better hand-held footage.