Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Use F-Stop when shooting videos
Not sure what F-Stop is? Israel Hyman's tutorial goes over the details of what an F-Stop is and how it works. This will also answer some questions you may have regarding both exposure and depth-of-field.
How To: Use lines to create a more interesting image
This Israel Hyman's video demonstrates how using lines can create a more interesting image. This technique is an easy one to learn, and it’s one you can immediately use whether you’re shooting home or formal video. The principles of cinematography are universal.
How To: Focus video image using blur
You can use a Gaussian Blur in a number of ways, but Israel Hyman's purpose in this video podcast is simply to expose you to some new possibilities. It’s a brief Izzy Video because he's just throwing out some ideas. In the future, he’ll show how to create the effect.
How To: Make digital video look more like film
Digital video image often lacks the tonality of a film image, but there are ways to make videos look more like film. Israel Hyman will show you how in this tutorial.
How To: Capture better color when shooting videos
One challenge in shooting miniDV video is capturing good color. 3-chip cameras are way better than 1-chip cameras but they are also more expensive. No matter what type you have, remember lighting is still important. In this video Israel Hyman shows you how to capture better color with your camcorder.
How To: Use three point lighting
Does your video look flat? By using Three Point Lighting, you will be able to give your flat video more dimension. In this tutorial, Israel Hyman demonstrates the effects of the key light, the fill light, and the back light. This is a long standing lighting technique that you definitely should know if you plan on shooting any type of video.
How To: Fix problematic video with cut away shots
Have an error in your video? Fix it with Cut Away shots! Israel Hyman, an Arizona-based videographer, will show you how.
How To: Improve outdoor interview imagery
Many people like to interview subjects outside because they enjoy the look of sunlight over tungsten lights. However, it can be difficult to work with such an uncooperative key light. In this Israel Hyman video are some ideas which can help you improve your outdoor interview imagery.
How To: Create continuity and screen direction
“Continuity and Screen Direction” is all about the one simple principle of keeping the screen direction of the subjects the same from one shot to another in a sequence. It’s a fundamental principle and knowing how to get it right will make your videos much better and more professional.
How To: Create dolly shots
This video is all about creating dolly shots. If you have ever wondered about how to use and control this type of shot, then let Israel Hyman show you. This is a great alternative to zooming in and out which is unnatural for our eyes.
How To: Create natural transitions while recording a movie
This video demonstrates an easy way to create natural transitions. The key is to have the subject enter and exit the frame during different shots. This keeps a level of continuity that makes your movie easier to follow and easier to edit!
How To: Use soft and hard light when shooting videos
In this video podcast episode, Izzy describes hard and soft light and how it affects shadows. He also demonstrates how to soften sunlight when shooting videos.
How To: Do makeup for bruises, black eyes, and missing teeth
The guys from Indy Mogul show how you to make beat up fx for your films. Learn how to make bruises, black eyes, and missing teeth to make your actors look like they've really been in a fight.
How To: Synchronize timecode for a multi-camera shoot
Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, gives us some quick tips on how to sync timecode for multi-camera footage. He shows you how to sync multi-camera footage using cameras that support free run and cameras that don't.
How To: Light and set a cyclorama shot
A cyclorama shot is a 360 degree panoramic, photographic view of a scene. It's set on a cylindrical platform and is designed to make the viewer feel like he is standing in the middle of it all. A cyclorama shot is a really cool thing to embark on in photography or film.
How To: Assemble and shoot with a jib
Matt gets jibby with it! The Shirtless Apprentice teaches you how to assemble, adjust, and use a junior jib on your next film shoot.
How To: Light a two-person interview
Learn how to frame and block an over-the-shoulder shot as Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, demonstrates the use of cutters to block lens flair.
How To: Shoot a dolly zoom shot
The dolly zoom shot is also known as the Vertigo Effect in filming. It's that dizzying, slightly unstable camera effect you see in shows like "Glee" and sometimes "The Office." It creates audience confusion, thus forcing them to keep watching in interest.
How To: Create dramatic lighting effects
Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, demonstrates how to create dramatic lighting effects on a budget. This episode will help you to develop control of your audiences attention.
How To: Capture audio for a sit down interview
In this episode, the Shirtless Apprentice gives a brief overview of the equipment and technique to capturing audio for a sit down interview.
How To: Preserve continuity when shooting a film
Continuity is an underrated and more importantly, overlooked aspect to multi-cut scenes. Many films, television programs and internet videos forget its importance. So this week, The Shirtless Apprentice give his tips on the subject as he sits down and has a romantic candlelit dinner with continuity.
How To: Shoot b-roll footage
In this episode of The Shirtless Apprentice, Matt is on location to discuss some more tips for shooting internet video, specifically directed towards capturing B-Roll. Take a look at our links section for more shooting tips!
How To: Choose the right frame rate for your online video
In this invigorating exercise, the Shirtless Apprentice leads us through the beautiful pastures of frame rates. Watch as Matt explains the intricacies of selecting the correct frame rate for your online video.
How To: Set up three point lighting for shooting video
In this illuminating episode of the Shirtless Apprentice, Matt walks you step by shirtless step through the three point lighting technique as he explains the relationship between the key light, fill light, and how to give your subject some pop with an overhead backlight.
How To: Light a green screen properly for podcasting
Matt, the Shirtless Apprentice, advises viewers on the proper procedure for lighting a green screen. The successfully implemented chroma key technique can significantly raise the production value of any video podcast. He gives specific advice on how to separate the light that falls on the subject from the light on the greenscreen, a traditionally tricky technique.
How To: Do improv comedy
For any comedian, aspiring or professional, this video series is a must see. Actually for anyone at all, the value of these clips to help with social interaction is also astounding. There is more to improv than just games. We improvise on a daily basis in every situation. Improv is only a reaction to something.
How To: Master the art of puppet theatre
Paul Louis, professional puppeteer listed with the Jim Henson Company, will show us the difference between several moving mouth puppets and go over how to hold and work a puppet as well as ways to engage the audience and in a sense "act".
How To: Make a $10 stop motion puppet
Don't have any friends to act in your movies? No problem! This week on BFX, we'll show you how to build a miniature puppet to star in your next project. Don't have any friends? We can't help you there.
How To: Create a cloning effect
Send in the clones! Steve Nelson teaches you how to create a digital cloning effect for your films. Create duplicates of your actors on screen.
How To: Make fake heads
To make fake heads you will need Styrofoam head, flesh color spay paint, make-up kit, a wig, glasses, mustaches, fake blood and liquid latex.
How To: Make a robot suit
To build a robot suit you will need a football toy chest, a medium sized trash can, two old camera flashes, heater vent cover, two old Sega Genesis controllers, a big lamp shade, a big sheet of cardboard, dryer vent hose, plastic scale, old "Go-bots" brand 110 camera, spray paint; I used silver and gold.
How To: Create fake puke
Learn a recipe for fake vomit that you can use for puke in your films.
How To: Create a really cheap blood splatter effect
Keir MacDonald shows you a cheap technique for making a practical blood-splattering effect for gunshots and other special fx in your films.
How To: Make a rain machine
How do you add instant drama to your scenes? Rain and sappy music of course. Using some wood, rope and a garden hose Erik shows you how to make a "Hollywood rain machine" for less then $50 bucks.
How To: Stage a theatrical set
In this video series, watch as school theater expert Peggy Charlton teaches theatrical staging basics. Learn how to build sets, the location of he different areas of the stage, what a cyclorama is, how to use the curtains on a stage, how to design a set, how to identify the apron area, and how to break down a set.
How To: Make a microphone flag
For any of you aspiring to enter the league of Broadcast News, this unique instructional will make your newscast look totally professional. The mike flag (or mic flag) is that box that surrounds the microphone and has the call letters of your tv station or network. ABC, or Fox, or Ch 5 is the typical type of lettering. (Its origins seem to be from the early days of radio: call letters were not required for an audio-medium except for requisite publicity shots.) Occasionally a triangular shape ...
How To: Start your own puppet company
In this video series for puppeteers, learn how to start your own puppet company home business, with tips on where to get puppets, what equipment you need and how to train puppeteers to put on a successful puppet show. Also learn how to market your company to schools and corporations, and how incorporate yourself.
How To: Get all the information about marionettes
In this video series, watch as freelance designer Emily DeCola teaches all about marionettes. Learn how to work the strings, the different types of marionettes, how to string a marionette, how to build and operate a marionette, and how to control the puppet's face.
How To: Stunt fight Kung Fu style
In this week's episode of Backyard FX, Erik visits the Indy Kung Fu Masters of West Haven Brook to learn some awesome tips for movie fight scenes. They talk about the counting, sound effects, pull backs and camera movement necessary for orchestrating a great fight scene.
How To: Make a fake brain
This video from Backyard FX and Indy Mogul shows you how to make a fake brain. Making a brain is not hard but it does take time and creativity. You can make cauliflower brains, gelatin brains or the one I am going to show you out of bread and glue.