Hot Film & Theater How-Tos
How To: Load the Arriflex S 16mm camera properly
The Arriflex S is a high grade, professional quality 16mm camera. It can shoot steady, consistent film footage. This tutorial shows you how to properly load your film into the camera and a few other tips for getting the most out of your equipment.
How To: Make an effective treatment for your documentary film
An effective treatment is your first step to getting a job and funding for your documentary. This is a written document used to describe your film and why you want to make it. This video gives you some good tips on how to make an effective treatment for your project.
How To: Create a one light set up for fashion and beauty shots
This set up will show you how to use just one light to create a setting that's ideal for cosmetic, fashion and beauty shots. Great for a photographer who only has so much money to spend on studio equipment and accessories.
How To: Quickly and easily clean a focusing screen
If your focusing screen gets too dirty, the quality of your picture will suffer. This tutorial shows you a quick demonstration on how you can quickly and easily clean your focusing screen without cleaning it. Watch out for static charge!
How To: Set up a low budget lighting system for filming a documentary or interview
Low budger project? NO budget project? Lighting is a key part of any film, so you don't want to skimp on it. This tutorial shows you how to set up some inexpensive lighting systems when you're filming a documentary or interview.
How To: Make an easy and inexpensive DiY camera dolly out of PVC pipe
This is an easy and simple dolly you can make with just a few lengths of PVC pipe and some wheels taken from a pair of Rollerblades. You'll also need a few pieces of hardware to attach it, like screws.
How To: Create a stabilizer for a point and shoot handheld camera
Even a small point and shoot camera has it's strong points, but being able to get a steady shot with one can be challenging. This tutorial shows you how to create your own DiY stabilizer for a small handheld camera.
How To: Make a cheap body harness out of a camera stabilizer
Start with a Targus Monopod, and then follow along with this tutorial to create a BodyPod - a body harness that will let you 'wear' your camera. This modification costs less than fifteen dollars, and lets you cut down on the gear you'll need when filming.
How To: Drill the angle iron correctly for a DiY track dolly
If the track isn't perfectly straight on your camera dolly, it won't work the way you need it to. You can use a basic hinge from any hardware store, and use that as the template when drilling holes for your angle iron.
How To: Make your footage look like you're shooting with a Steadicam
This tutorial shows you an easy technique you can use to make your footage look like you've shot it using a Steadicam... even if you don't actually own one! All you'll need is a steady tripod and some open space.
How To: Load and film with your Bolex H16 Reflex camera
The Bolex is an amazing professional quality camera. This is quick tutorial that shows you how you can load film into one, and a few more basic features that you can take advantage of to get the best film quality possible for your projects.
How To: Set up ten different lighting styles for your film projects
This tutorial shows you a quick rundown of ten different lighting setups for films. Whether you're looking for a silhouette, a documentary or confessional style look or something else entirely, you'll be able to find something useful in this tutorial.
How To: Make your own HD/HD-SDI capture station inexpensively
This is for the semi-pro or professional filmographer who wants to get the best picture quality out of their digital cameras possible. Get broadcast or film studio quality for your footage without needing a film studio budget by following these easy steps.
How To: Set up a stable car mount for your camera
One of the problems with car mounts for film cameras is avoiding harmonic vibration and keeping your shot steady. This tutorial shows you how to make your own camera mount that will shoot stable, clear footage as the car drives.
How To: Use 35mm film adaptors with your digital camera
What's the best film adaptor for your digital camera? Digital cameras are great, but they dont' always get the right 35mm film look you want. This tutorial shows you how to pick just the right adaptor for your project and camera.
How To: Use the Skater mini dolly to film low to the ground
The skater mini dolly is a great little tool you can use when you want to film something close to the ground. To get the best shot possible, it's critical that you align your three wheels precisely. Make sure they're calibrated properly.
How To: Shoot a moving shot at a camera low angle
Trying to get that perfect ground shot done, but just can't seem to make it work? This is the tutorial for you! This video covers a few techniques any cinematographer can use to pull off a stunning movie shot with a low camera angle.
How To: Film a stop motion effect with any digital SLR camera
You don't need a rotoscope or special lip syncing equipment - you can create the stop motion effect with any digital SLR - even a webcam! All you need to do is add an adapter, as shown in this tutorial.
How To: Make a home made glidetrack at home using a curtain rod
This is a great DiY idea for the indie or home film maker. Don't spend hundreds of dollars on a glidetrack, when you can make your own at home for less than twenty dollars. Turn a pair of curtain rods into your new camera glidetrack.
How To: Make a hoverboard from the Back to the Future movies
Make your own hoverboard prop from the Back to the Future movies! You can do this whole project for about twenty dollars. You will need a large piece of foam board, green posterboard, some Tupperware, a few pieces of hardware, scrap Velcro, metallic plastic and paint and brushes.
How To: Make your own affordable underwater camera rig
Want to film underwater, but can't afford the expensive professional camera rig? This tutorial shows you how you can construct your own functional underwater camera rig for about sixty dollars. You will need: small ankle weights, threaded seal tape, waterproof sealant, Velcro, a rubber washer, a sheet of plexiglass, PVC pieces, metal ring clamps, hot glue and a dremel.
How To: Make a convincing briefcase full of money as a movie prop
Many action or crime dramas revolve around briefcases full of money. But you're just an indie film maker - you don't have that much money! How can you make a convincing briefcase full of money without having to take out a small loan? Indy Mogul is here to show you how!
How To: Record Great Voice-over Dialogue with an iPhone
Sound production doesn't get any cheaper than this. If you need some quick, professional-sounding voice-over dialogue for a student film or YouTube project, then all you need is an iPhone, an app called VoiceRecord and an ordinary blanket to block the background noise.
How To: Make a Steadycam stabilizer out of an old mic stand
You can take an old mic stand and turn it into your own DiY camera stabilizers! This quick tutorial shows you how to take this piece of relatively inexpensive equipment, a little extra hardware, and put together your own Steadycam.
How To: Record your audio separately when shooting video with a Canon DSLR
Many professional videographers record their audio separate from their video. This tutorial shows you the best equipment to make your finished clips and film as professional as possible. Make sure you have a post production program like Final Cut Pro which will allow you to sync up your tracks.
How To: Adapt your Glidecam to fit with your Steadycam Vest
You have a great Glidecam and a Merlin vest fit for Steadycam... now what? You can easily adapt your two pieces of equipment to help them sync up. All you need is a few pieces of extra hardware to make it work.
How To: Balance your camera stabilizer, flycam or glidecam
If you're still having problems balancing your camera stabilizer, whether it's a Glidecam, Flycam or other piece of equipement, this tutorial is for you. There are a couple tips you can use to keep your camera steady while you're filming.
How To: Use alternative animation techniques such as greenscreen and light painting
Add a little animation to your live action shots! This tutorial shows you a few alternative techniques, such as adding in backgrounds using a greenscreen or incorporating light painting into your film. Make sure you shoot at the highest megapixel setting possible.
How To: Get a macro shot with any lens when using a DSLR camera
This is a great tip that will save you quite a lot of money on camera lenses. No matter what lens you are using, this video shows you how to get a good macro shot. All you need are special filters that go on top of your lens.
How To: Frame an interview shot for maximum effectiveness
This tutorial focuses on framing your shot, especially when you're planning to film an interview. However, this also touches on how you can frame people for the greatest effectiveness in your shot. Be aware of what is both inside and without the frame, as well as headroom.
How To: Build a DiY rig for your DSLR when filming interviews
How to film an interview properly? This tutorial shows you everything, from tripod to audio to accessories, that can maximize effectiveness when you're filming an interview. This is a top-heavy rig, so is really idea when you don't have to move it.
How To: Set up the presets on your Canon 7D for filming video
Your Canon 7D camera can film in video as well as take still photographs, however, the settings will be different. To get the best picture quality possible, here is how you can set up your camera's presets when filming in live action.
How To: Shoot a time lapse film with a digital camera
Time lapse photography is a common film technique to capture subtle processes, such as star movement or sunst. This tutorial shows you all the equipment you'll need, how to set your camera up properly, and how to string it together for a film.
How To: Manipulate the audio clips in Final Cut Pro using keyframes
This tutorial covers the basics of manipulating audio in Final Cut Pro by using keyframes. Add fade outs, fade ins, adjust the volume up or down, and even edit out the sounds of breathing or other small flaws in sound.
How To: Improve the sound for your low budget movies without a wireless mic
Don't have a wireless mic or a boom mic? Still want to improve the audio quality of your films? All you need is an inexpensive mp3 recorder, which you can easily tape underneath your clothes, or wherever else you need it to be.
How To: Make your own ring light at home
You don't need to buy an expensive ring light, you can make your own at home. You'll need a sheet of sturdy plywood, a pencil, some string, a dimmer switch, the light bulb sockets, some electrical wire, a drill and some hardware.
How To: Use Apple Color's secondary color correction to adjust skin tones
Secondary color correction is used mostly to adjust the skin tones of people in your film. This tutorial show you how Apple Color lets you quickly and easily adjust the skin tones of the actors and actresses in your film project.
How To: Set up and properly operate your MiniDV Steadycam
Get a MiniDV Steadycam recently? This is a lightweight, easy to use and portable stabilizer usable with most camcorders on the market today. Set it up quickly, and learn how you can use it to best effects when filming your next project.
How To: Use a follow focus or z focus when filming with a digital camera
Still wondering why you need a follow focus for your digital camera? Curious about how it works, or how you can get the most out of yours? This video has the answers! Learn everything you need to know about the z focus.
How To: Shoot a time lapse shot in high definition using the Stage Zero dolly
Time lapse is a dynamic filming technique, and can be even more interesting if the camera is moving while it films. You can achieve this effect by using the Dynamic Perception Stage Zero Dolly, MX2 DollyShield and Pentax K7, and this tutorial shows you how.