Film Production

Just out in theaters is the motion picture Paranormal Activity. The special thing about this movie is that it is a ridiculously low budget film that uses one, relatively cheap, camera. No sets...

Commercial video tapes used a process called Macrovision to keep the tape from being copied. Some titles have never been updated to DVD, so making a copy of them is vital to be able to continue to...

Pinnacle Studio is a relatively inexpensive video editing program available for the Windows operating system. Made by Avid, Pinnacle Studio allows both novice video editors and professionals to...

Montages consist of a set of scenes that show the passage of time, a progression of events, or an emotional transition. Dialogue is usually replaced by a song or a composed score. Whether you are...

You may have noticed Redbox machines popping up here and there through your normal shopping. The Redbox is a brand of video rental options that are typically located in grocery stores, McDonald's...

Steady cams, occasionally known as steadicams, are devices used by video and film camera operators to utilize handheld cameras, which are capable of navigating through small spaces, while...

PAs can make or break your film shoot success. Knowing how to identify the right person for the job will make all the difference for your project. Below are some helpful tips.

Pinnacle Studio is a powerful video editing tool. Specifically designed for non-professionals, the software makes it easy to edit your own videos, add titles and include special effects. There are...

A shotgun microphone is an extremely directional sound amplification device, meaning that it is very sensitive to sounds originating in front of the microphone and highly insensitive to sounds...

Adobe Flash is a powerful program that you can use to create animated movies. The software is easy to learn and simple to navigate for beginners, while including plenty of advanced features that...

Everyone wants the world to see their videos, but few videos reach over 20,000. There are supposedly one BILLION views on YouTube every day, so here is your chance to grab a chunk of that. I will...

ISO (International Standards Organization) was a term coined in the days when there was only film, so traditionally it refers to film speed and determines its light sensitivity. Similarly with...

If you're constructing a medieval set for a movie or play, you'll probably need to make a dungeon at some point. Foam boards are an ideal material to use for constructing a theatrical dungeon. ...

Creating a visually appealing backdrop is an important part of building a good movie set. The backdrop you construct should blend into the scene, providing visual support without making itself...

The film editing program Pinnacle Studio enables users to take advantage of its chroma key toolbar and green screen technology. You can film actors in one setting and replace it with a different...

The Steadicam is a camera stabilizing system introduced in 1976. It features a vest and a counterweight attachment for your video camera, designed to keep the camera frame as steady as possible as...

While shooting home movies on 8-millimeter (mm) film can preserve your most personal moments, it isn't a practical choice when it comes to lugging an 8mm projector and screen to someone's house...

Making a superhero movie, much like making any movie, requires a lot of time, research, and preparation. Fortunately, a superhero movie gives you the liberty to use your imagination, working...

When creating a television, film, or web video production, it is vital to remember the importance of lighting. Without appropriate lighting, the ambience of your scene will be lost, or worse: the...

Do you dream of having your own web show? Do you have a creative spirit? Are you an actor? Do you have a lot of fun with your friends? You may have the makings of a popular web show. If you’ve...

You want to be an actor or an actress, but you don't know how to break into the business. Why not be an extra. Casting directors are seeking extras every day!

The opportunities for newcomers to break into a cash-strapped Hollywood may be continuing to shrink, but the combined accessibility of screenwriting software and filming equipment has fostered a...

This is a brief rundown of a good Final Cut Pro color correction technique to get that gritty black & white look seen in such movies as Raging Bull, Eraserhead, and Pi. If you don’t want black...

You will learn how to fund your film using only the internet. If you have written a screenplay then most likely you have tried to receive funding. Finding funding is not always easy and is almost...

As 35mm film naturally degrades and deteriorates in quality over time, it might be wise to consider transferring your old films to DVD. You could go to a professional service and pay hundreds of...

Making fake glass to spray and explode for that exciting action sequence in a movie can be done with silicone rubber and a food processor. Learn to expertly create fake glass with advice from an...

Filming a gun fight calls for smoke emitting squibs, which are the same as blood squibs, but without the blood. These explosive charges can go under a shirt, in a box, or be done digitally, which...

Making squibs for gun shot effects in movies has been practiced for many years and can be very dangerous if not done correctly. Using digital effects, as explained by an expert in this free video,...

Building a foam prop for a film can be done with simple tools, adhesives and items found at a large hardware store. Construct a stone castle wall with expert advice from two independent filmmakers...

Making breakaway glass to use in a film can be a long process for an independent filmmaker. In this free video, learn to use purchased silicone, Piccolastic, and Piccotex to make the mold and fake...

Old Westerns and Hollywood action movies have been using breakaway bottles for generations. Learn from an independent filmmaker in this free video how to make a fake glass bottle with a plastic...

The key to making a video look like a high-quality film is to perfect three-point lighting, use film lens adapters and do color correction in post-production. Treat digital video similarly to...

To make your own green screen studio, simply purchase digital green fabric or paint a large piece of plywood with digital green paint, which can be purchased at any film supply retailer. with help...

A jib crane can be created using either aircraft aluminum or wood, a tripod and high-quality barrings. Make a jib arm for smooth maneuvering of the camera with help from a movie producer in this...

To create a fake tree for the set of a play, simply carve out large pieces of foam into the shape of a tree trunk, apply acetone for a bark texture and color, and insert real tree branches into...

Body part props can be made from latex by first making a life cast using alginate, making a stone copy of the body part and applying several layers of latex to the mold. Create body parts as film...

A scrim is easy to create on a budget simply by cutting out a circle of wire mesh, lining the edge in electrical tape and pinning it to a light fixture. Reduce the amount of light on set without...

A great lighting effect to include in films is the illusion of lightning, which can be produced using a Striker One machine that controls several lights around the set at once. Create the effect...

To create elderly special effects makeup, stretch out the actor's skin, apply a layer of latex, allow it to dry, powder the area and release the skin to achieve natural-looking wrinkles. Age an...

Knives make great horror movie props, but the sharp edge should be thoroughly sanded down for safety on the set. Find out how to create props for horror films with help from a movie producer in...

When making latex skin to create a fake wound, layer the latex on the surface in thin layers, apply grease and powder makeup to achieve the right color, and add Vaseline to make blisters. Create...

Lighting for making movies should include a key light that illuminates the subject, a fill light to blend out the key light and a back light to illuminate the background. Thoroughly light a movie...

Making someone look like a zombie for a movie is best done using lots of latex, which can be painted, ripped and built up to make the skin appear diseased and decayed. Use various movie makeup...

When making movie blood, mix either Karo syrup or clear, hypoallergenic clothing detergent with red, yellow and green food coloring. Choose natural products that won't harm the actors with help...

Sculpey clay is a great material for making movie props, as it can be sculpted easily, baked to harden and painted using any spray or craft paint. Use Sculpey to make a variety of props with help...

A fake stage light, such as headlights on a car, can easily be represented by two inexpensive clamp lights found at any hardware store. Recreate the illusion of lights of stage with help from a...

A Glidecam can be created using simply a durable plastic grocery sac, tape and a video camera. See how to make a Glidecam on a budget with help from a movie producer in this free video on filmmaking.

A fake head to be used as a movie prop can be made out of gelatin, latex foam or silicone, each of which requires a different casting process. Take a mold of an actor's face to create a fake head...

Special effects explosions used to be created using gasoline and a match, but a digital explosion is a safer, high-tech way to add a big bang to a film. Superimpose an explosion over film footage...

Special effects cuts, bruises and blood can be made using mortician's wax, makeup wax or latex, which can then be painted using an alcohol-activated paint. Create professional-looking wounds for a...