Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Make stop motion movies with clay
Claymation is an animation form by using stop motion filming. Learn the technique and how many frames or shots you need to make your movie.
How To: How Ventriloquism Works
In this video series, our expert will show you what, how, and why a number of steps are taken to perfect the illusion. You'll be shown how to pronounce problem letters, how to practice your technique, and how to develop unique voices.
How To: Turn a script into a production board
In this video series, watch as screenwriter and producer Chris Cobb teaches you how to turn a script into a production board. learn how to break the pages down, how to transfer the scripts onto the breakdown page, how to color code the script, and how to put together the production board.
How To: Do improv comedy with kids
In this video series, let comedian Les McGehee school you in the art of humor as he teaches you the importance of practicing improv comedy with kids and starting your kids with improv young. Learn different improvisational techniques and games, how to apply those techniques to different situations, and how to use the art of improv comedy to make people laugh.
How To: Make sock puppets
In this video series, our expert will show you how to make your own homemade sock puppet. This is a great craft to share with children because it is fun and easy.
How To: Do mime illusions
In this series Mark Wenzel shows us how to perform popular mime illusions. Part 1 of 7 - How to Do mime illusions.
How To: Perform popular mime routines
Without light, the Mimeans became very pale, and without possessions they were forced to interact with imaginary objects and play with imaginary toys. In this series Mark Wenzel shows you how to perform popular mime routines.
How To: Build a prop retro-style ray gun
Indy Mogul shows you how to build retro ray gun prop for your next sci-fi epic!
How To: Create stop motion animation
DIY Stop Motion Animator, Javan Ivey, shows us how to create stop motion movies with some great software and helpful hints.
How To: Build a Miniature Set for $10
Sick of the REAL world and all of its REAL problems? Well, with a few sheets of cardboard and some cool tricks, Indy Mogul shows you how you can build your very own miniature town!
How To: Make yourself a movie giant using special effects
Indy Mogul shows you four ways to create movie effects to make yourself look like a giant both with and without a green screen.
How To: Build a $25 camera crane
The guys at Indy Mogul show you the Camera Crane (turbo mini jib) that ANYONE can afford! Attach it to your tripod and that good looking girl in your English class might mistake you for George Lucas...not sure if that'll help your chances with her, though.
How To: Operate a steadicam
A steadicam can mean the difference between a professional and steady wide shot of Victorian era London or a wobbly, user-generated content-esque portrayal of some old lamps and streets. Having control over how your camera moves is so vital to good film production.
How To: Build a cheap camera jib arm
Movies take us places we've never been before, and a big tool that has contributed to that age-old phrase "movie magic" is the camera jib arm. Kind of like a camera extendeder, the jib arm is like a rotating crane that you can place your camera on top of.
How To: Create a movie swamp monster
From the dark depths of your local swamp, and by swamp I mean Indy Mogul, comes the SWAMP MONSTER!!!! For under $35, you can make your lead actor so ugly that you'll be able to steal his girlfriend.
How To: Create advanced zombie makeup and fake guts
In this episode of BFX, Erik from Indy Mogul takes Zombie effects to the next level. If an exposed skull and yummy non-toxic guts are what you dream about, then you're a sick person. However you should still watch this episode in all it's "gory". Also seek mental treatment.
How To: Make things disappear on camera
An Indy Mogul viewer shows you a simple editing trick for making objects and people disappear in your movies.
How To: Use a C-stand on a movie set
Don't want to look like an idiot your first day on set? Jerkwater from Indy Mogul is here to save the day, by showing you how to use a C-Stand.
How To: Protect your moviemaking equipment from rain
Andrew Burke from Videomaker magazine gives some advice for protecting your equipment while shooting in the rain.
How To: Rotoscope
Videomaker magazine shows you how to create rotoscoping effects (the same animation effect seen in their videos) for your videos.
How To: Color correct your videos
Mark from Videomaker magazine offers up his knowledge to help you stylize your videos color using computer software. Find out what tools you need, and how to use them.
How To: Get proper camera angles and moving shots
In this video series, professional filmmaker Kevin Lindenmuth gives you expert advice on how to use camera moves and camera angles to make a powerful, dynamic visual narrative.
How To: Direct a movie
Rhett Reiger shares with us the art of movie making and independent film production. Part 1 of 17 - How to Direct a movie.
How To: Do basic mime skills
Teri Lynne shows us how to do basic mime in this series of videos. Do basic mime skills - Part 1 of 16.
How To: Build a DIY professional animation studio
Indy Mogul Weekend Extra peers into the brilliant mind of Javan Ivey, who shows you how to to save thousands of dollars when building your own home animation studio.
How To: Get some mime practice exercise
Mark Wenzel pioneered the concept of mime performances at theme parks, becoming the resident mime at Sea World of San Diego, where he entertained more than a million visitors a year for eight years. Now he trains mimes for all of Sea World's aquatic parks. He shows you some practice exercises in this video series.
How To: Host an Improv comedy show
Les McGehee shows you how to host an Improv comedy show. Part 1 of 21 - How to Host an Improv comedy show.
How To: Make a documentary
Kevin Lindenmuth has worked in the film/video business for over 22 years. In this series of videos he shows you how to make a documentary.
How To: Put together a pro demo reel
Craig got involved in television at the early age of 7 as an actor for McDonald’s. When he entered high school he founded the “Video Production Department.” In this series of videos he shows you how to put together a pro demo reel.
How To: Do cartoon animation
In this free video series on how to animate drawings, learn the basic techniques and principles behind capturing your artwork.
How To: Draw animations
In this video series on how to draw animated cartoons, learn the fundamental techniques and principles that guide the development of any animation idea.
How To: Improve comedy techniques
In this video series, let comedian Les McGehee school you in the art of humor as he teaches you how to do improv comedy. Learn different improvisational techniques and games, how to apply those techniques to different situations, and how to use the art of improv comedy to make people laugh.
How To: Mime
Pat Fenda shows us the basics of Mime and tips ,techniques of acting through Mime. Part 1 of 60 - How to Mime.
How To: Write a movie script
In this series of screenwriting videos, our experienced Hollywood actor, screen writer and producer tells you how to write a movie script. Ron Becks guides you through each step in the creation of your masterpiece, from creating characters and settings to developing the plot and theme patterns to establishing conflicts and resolutions at just the right time in your movie.
How To: Make a movie
In this free film making series, veteran producer Scott duPont will go through the steps of production once the money is in place. Scott will also point out the mistakes many first-time film producers make, which can cost huge amounts of money and slow down the production. Learn about creating shot lists and storyboards as well as how to edit your movie.
How To: Use different microphones to get different results
This is a great video that breaks down the different types of microphones available and how you can use them to get different results or resolve different problems. If you use the right microphone, your videos will come out that much better.
How To: Cut and edit video footage
This video talks about cutting techniques. Bear in mind that you will need to have lots of coverage of the same scene if you plan to do editing, so you have multiple angle options. Israel Hyman, an Arizona-based videographer, shows you how to edit your footage in this tutorial.
How To: Use video filters
This is certainly not all-encompassing, nor is it very complex. It’s a simple before and after demonstration of different video filters. It does tell you what each filter does and how it works so you'll know when to use it. Check out Israel's tutorials for lots of great tips and ideas! Use video filters.
How To: Use exposure when shooting videos
Have you ever found your video images over-exposed? Or under-exposed?
How To: Use different shot types when filming
Do your videos lack emotional impact? Do you wonder about the framing options that could be use to produce a better video image? This episode of Izzy Video covers the Framing Terms for different types of shots and how to use them.