Brandon Pinard discusses the most commonly used transitions in television and film: the Cut, the Fade and the Dissolve. He covers the basic definition of each of the three transitions, how they are most commonly used in the film and television industries, and how anyone can improve their own videos with the proper understanding of these transitions.
A ten minute film on how to make your own iPhone belt buckle. This entire idea and design and construction and package creation and the manufacture of 6-8 buckles was done within 24 hours of the iPhone launch, for fun.
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.
When loading film into a camera, never touch the blades of the shutter and make sure to advance the film a couple of times in a manual camera. Load film in a camera with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Loading film is an important first step for new photographers.
When developing film for a black-and-white photo, first extract the leader of the film from the film canister and then pull out the rest of the film in total darkness. Develop a black and white photograph with the tips in this free instructional video on photography tips from a professional photographer. Good information for black and white photography students.
Become a more complete photographer and save money at the same time. Learn how to develop and print your own film in this free darkroom tutorial from a professional photographer.
A funny thing happened on the way to the release of the virtual reality epic Ready Player One — augmented reality grabbed a major piece of the spotlight. Specifically, Microsoft's HoloLens.
In this video, we learn how to film skateboarding. First, get a camera that fits your price range and you will be ready to start filming. Next, use a long lens so you capture the best shots of people on their boards and in motion. Next, make sure you capture the lines that the skateboarder is skating on. Use different angles to get the best shot possible. You want to get close to the action, so you will need a fish eye lens. Use your skateboard to follow the skater around. Using these simple ...
This is a great tutorial on making wonderful little artsy butterflies with your own two hands! They're sparkling butterflies, which you make with fantasy film, a butterly image, permanent ink that dries on non-porous surfaces, craft iron, acrylic stamps, and a non-stick craft mat.
Bring a little life to your films, or maybe a little "light". Watch this video to see how to make your own 400-watt video light for film or photography. You can make this video light with mere parts from the local hardware store, such as plastic paneling (which is cheap, easy to cut and non-conductive), zip ties, 4 plastic bulb sockets, lamp cord (like Romex), a cheap plug, and good and cheap diffusion. With all of these materials, you'll have your own homemade light for any film or photo pro...
Digital SLRs are known for their high image quality, but what about audio? This panel discussion shows you how you can set up your shots and equipment to ensure you get the best possible audio for your next film project.
Three disparate but useful indie filmmaking techniques, one video. One stop shopping just in time for the holidays. This video will teach you how to make day into night with editing, normal things giant with filming, and make actors fall from high places without hurting themselves unduly.
Three awesome film special effects, one video. Ryan at Film Riot sure knows how to make one-stop shopping filmmaking tutorials. This video will show you how to shoot someone's head off, use a jib and dolly together to get more dynamic shots, and also how to make a great cheap light ring.
The shrink ray as always been one of the oddest and least-useful sci-fi guns, but alien invaders seem to love them and so we'll keep seeing them. If you want to use a shrink ray in a film you're working on, watch this video. It will teach you how to first make a generic ray / laser gun, and then how to make an object shrink in After Effects.
If you like to learn filmmaking techniques from internet videos fast, then you've found the holy grail right here. This video will teach you how to do four different effects, including text motion tracked to your shots, motion tracking, make a prop sniper scope, and how to dunk someone's head in a toilet. Bonus points if you can use them all in the same film.
Running over someone's head or burying them alive so that they can rise from the grave are dangerous, and not worth using in filmmaking generally speaking. But yay, there are special effects! Watch this video for a guide to running over someone's head with a car or burying them alive for your film using After Effects and some fun props.
Mystique was quite the sexy character in the recent X-Men films, decked out only in blue latex for much of the films. If you aren't afraid of a little blue on you skin, watch this video to learn how to create a perfect Mystique costume with makeup.
When making your film, you want to make sure that the cameras that you're using, and the pictures and footage that you're taking, have the right exposure. Exposure can make or break your film as far as quality of the footage being presented! In this video you will get a tutorial on how to get the perfect exposure for your footage!
Have you ever wondered how all of the blood and dust that flies from wounds and bullet holes in Hollywood films gets shot through the air so convincingly? The answer is a pneumatic dust system. This video will show you how to make one yourself for almost no money, allowing you to achieve all sorts of cool special effects without any expensive digital technology.
Inception might be the most anticipated movie of the summer, and now that it's out and you've had the chance to bask in it's majesty, you may be wondering if you can use any of it's magic and trickery in your own films. You can! This video will show you how to create the titles like the ones from the Inception trailer using After Effects. It's clean and simple yet dynamic, and sure to make your next film's intro much more appealing.
This video is a 2-for-1 special. It will teach you how to make not one, but TWO cool props for a film or costume. They are, in no particular order, a gas mask / ventilator and a laser pistol. Both look very cool, require some materials and carpentry skills, and are sure to make your next sci-fi film much more realistic and enjoyable to watch.
Super heros' secret identities are their most guarded secrets. Many choose to protect them with masks, but how to make your mask if you're a new superhero or a filmmaker trying to simulate a super hero? This video will show you how to make your own cheap superhero mask at home, which will be a great prop for your next film or Halloween costume.
If you've ever played through Valve's amazing first-person puzzle game Portal, you probably have dreams and nightmares about orange and blue portals appearing in the walls around you. Do you want to recreate the effect in a film? This video will show you how to create your very own colored wall portals on film using After Effects.
The film Jumper may not have been critically acclaimed, but few can argue with how awesome the special effects that allowed the characters to teleport at will are. They looked great and were applied with great aplomb. This video will show you how to mimic that effect in After Effects, allowing you to make your own teleportation-happy films. I bet you can make one better than Jumper!
Film and television cinematographers love sliding camera shots, especially since ER made them a standard device for television dramas. A professional sliding camera setup is expensive though. Why not make one yourself? This video will show you how to turn $20 into a high-quality filmmaking tool that you can use to give your films some very professional-looking shots. Now get out there and follow that gurney with the camera!
Kevin Hnatiuk (the Digital Dad) shows you how to convert your old Super 8 film reels to DVD, easily at home. Knatiuk goes over how to get started, what you need, and what to expect when digitaizing your super 8mm movies.
This is a great tutorial on how to use Sensor-Film to clean a DSLR camera's sensor. You won't believe how easy it is and how clean the sensor gets. Everyone should do this for clear and pristine photos.
Make sure and watch this episode as we tackle another heavily requested effect... making someone look blown in half! Jam packed with cheap special effects, Frisbee fun, and a Test Film guest directed by Maniacal Rage!
This is an Indiana Jones special that shows you how to make your very own crystal skull. You can't miss this episode! Erik dressed as professor Indy, test film by Waverly Films, and much more!
Watch this two part video series to learn how to convert a polaroid super shooter or colorpack camera into a pinhole camera. This video demonstrates how to strip the camera down and make a tripod mount. This is for the 3.25x4.25 pack film cameras: Polaroid 667, 672, 664, 690 and Fuji film FP-100, FP-3000 instant films. The 80 series/square shooters will not work. To determine if your camera will work, measure lengthwise across the back. 17 cm will work, 15 cm will not.
This film was awarded the Green Ribbon in Itami Film Festival, 1993. Learn how various techniques of animation work and see some amazing examples- including an animated pin up girl! The film is in Japanese dialogue with English subtitles.
Erik from Indy Mogul teaches you how to build a miniature space ship for your films for under $20. Also covered, are using green screen to create background effects for your UFO film.
Frosted glass windows are perfect for bathrooms, allowing light to pass through while giving you privacy. "Wallpaper for Windows" is a useful window film that you can use to create the frosted glass windows without having to replace or remove your windows. First, you should measure out the size of the window that you plan to cover and clean the glass thoroughly. Also wash your hands to avoid oil getting on the glass. After spraying the window with soapy water, peel the backing off the film an...
Are your electrical switch covers in your home just too boring for you? Tired of all those receptacle covers just being plain, old beige or white? Then a little arts and crafts project and some fantasy film might be your answer.
We all know that movies now-a-days don't use real rocks, but fake rocks for their film sets. Why? Because it's safer, lighter, easier to movie, and you can design them exactly how you want them. So if you need a rock for your indie film project, make it yourself. There's nothing better than imitation. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a fake rock movie prop.
It's easy when Jamie-B from Total Recall Films takes an in-depth look at filming and editing techniques you can easily use to make your next film look and feel professional using a well know technique called "tricking the camera" -- and the viewer. Watch to see how to make a one-camera shoot look like multi-cams.
The Western film, once the end all be all of great American filmmaking, is now rare to behold at all at the movie theaters. Whereas in the old days directors made the films about true American gung-ho spirit and handsome, stoic John Wayne cowboys championing the greater good, these days the genre gets ruined by CGI and other absurd additions.
Photoshop is an amazing piece of software that can be used for so many reasons. Whether it be recreational or for business it has many different helpful tools. This tutorial shows you how to make a cool looking 3D film strip. Enjoy!
Ever hear of fantasy film? No, not the weird fantasy movies, but the decorative colored paper. It's great for making any arts and crafts project. In this video, see how to make a glittery dragonfly out of Fantasy Film and opals. Barbara Trombley shows you how to make this simple project in minutes. You will be amazed when you see the film change colors right before your eyes. This dragonfly is perfect for any card or hat or lapel.
Ever try to load a roll of film onto a reel and into a sealed developing tank in complete darkness? If you have, you know that anything unexpected can throw a kink into your personalized process of developing photographs. This video demonstrates how to load film onto stainless steel reels. If you are interested in developing film by hand, it is a good idea to be aware of all types of winding reels and developing tanks so you don't fumble in the darkroom.