This video tutorial show you how to make your own functional green screen to create special effects. If you try to isolate a subject on a film with a dynamic background there is a good chance to loose parts of the subjects during the process. By using a monochromatic background this can be prevented. For this you'll need large foam boards, bright green paint and a roller made for smooth surfaces. Spray painting doesn't work and results in a blotchy finish. Paint the boards evenly with the gre...
This a video tutorial on how to levitate a card. This is basically a card trick. The effect created is that the spectator's selected card is magically revealed by rising out of the pack. The secret to the effect is your little finger. Shuffle the cards and then let the spectator select one card. Show the card to the spectator and tell him/her to put the card back anywhere they want. As the card is placed back, get a pinky break with your little finger above the card. Use multiple cuts to get ...
Interested in sketching and drawing some sceneries? We could start it with a palm tree on a beach scene. You'll require a piece of paper, a pencil and a sketch pen. First draw the base (trunk). Then add some details with circular lines going along the trunk. Then we could start up with the coconuts as well as their details to give a rough effect. Now comes the highlight of the palm-tree leaves which have to be drawn properly to have that edgy effect. Finally add some details on the base of th...
Watch this video to learn how to make a little planet effect in Photoshop. Go to Image>Image Size and resize the picture making the width and height equal . Don't forget to unmark the "Constrain Proportions" option. Now that you have a squared photo go to Image>Rotate Canvas>180. Go to Filter>Distort>Polar Coordinates and select the option "Rectangular to Polar". Now rotate as you want to and remove any failures.After you select the picture, make sure the sides are alike and that the horizont...
To create an added interest with text, learn how to wrap text around paths or shapes using Illustrator software. This video from Task Tutorial shows us each step involved with wrapping text around an oval as an example. However, any shape or path can be used to wrap text around that object. An object just needs to be placed on the page and then the "text wrap" command needs to be applied, and the wrapping will be done for you automatically. The Illustrator effect allows you to break up a page...
This short video shows you how to create an animated fashion style logo in Flash. First he changes the background and frames per second to black and 24 respectively. He chooses the font for his text and then he converts the text into a movie clipping by hitting f8 and choosing movie clipping. He shows us how to make special effects by using the text in different frames. He creates layers and adds more text with special effects that create a flashing logo.
The presenter beings the video by describing the screen cast program he is using to record the video. It is giving him some problems but he asks us to bear with him. The video then shows before and after images to demonstrate the effect. The effect is achieved by duplicating the eye color to another layer and then using layer blending options to achieve the desired brightness. The presenter has a website with many other Photoshop technique videos.
In this video tutorial solving time techs you how to apply the stabilize video effect before editing in movie maker. Download and install Virtual Dub from the link in the description and download the deshaker filter also from the link provided. Extract the filter into the virtual dub folder as shown and open the video in Virtual Dub. Compress the video using the DivX codec which can be downloaded for free from divx.com. Apply the filter by selecting the deshaker filter and change the source p...
CreativeIceDesigns shows all the steps it takes to give any photograph a nice, vintage look using Adobe Photoshop. The image must first be unlocked. You then select the grunge paper brush. Normally you should keep the aspect ratio of your image the same, but in this case, you should resize it to the same height as your paper surface. After changing the blend mode to multiply and adjusting the brightness, you then change the opacity and you'll have the "wrinkled paper" effect you're looking fo...
In this video, viewers learn how to work with Photoshop CS4 Extended, specifically the 3D construction and editing engine. This video contains voice narration for guidance and a visual demonstration for viewers to easily follow along. Viewers will learn how to create a cool abstract 3D shape which is different every time it is made and some cool techniques on how to convert it to a smooth icy looking shape. This will benefit those viewers who use Photoshop and wish to create an realistic icy ...
This video shows the viewer how to create a stylish centerpiece for a wedding reception using commonly available items. This is done by first placing a square mirror on top of a larger piece of light pink tulle. Then an artificial plant was selected and a number of glass beads were secured around the piece using another piece of tulle and a ribbon; this is to stop the plant floating. The plant is then placed in a tall square vase that is filled with water. A single drop of food dye is then ad...
This tutorial shows a quick, interesting 80's inspired neon colored nail design. Using a base coat and then 2 layers of a while polish will establish the white background for these nails. Using a light, thin brush, make thin lines horizontally across your nails in a kind of blinds look, running all the way across your nail. For the paint-splattering effect, use small amounts of the desired colors and lightly stipple it over your nail, to simulate a splattering effect. This technique will crea...
It's time to smash that iPhone, but wait… you don't really want to break your iPhone, do you? That's were a fake iPhone prop comes in, perfect for any homemade movie. Just make this, and switch it out with the real one during the anger attack. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a breakable iPhone movie prop. Also works with a fake smashable iPod.
Bring a little bit of super technology into your indie film with a prop robot dog. This is not a real robot dog, but a fake robot dog made from foam core poster board and a few other household materials. Think Lost in Space and The Jetson, only the robot is a dog. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a robot dog prop with poster board.
Yes, a smashable board of wood. Just what the propmaster called for. A long 2x4 piece of wood prop is perfect for smashing overtop somebody's head during an action scene. The smashable board is easy to make, too. But not as easy as breaking it. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a breakable 2x4 wood plank prop.
A grenade is the best way to make your indie action war flick more realistic, but anyway you try it, it's not going to be completely "realistic". You need a prop grenade, and you can eerily make it yourself out of cheap household materials. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a movie prop grenade.
A fake brick is a great movie prop for any action film. You can break through brick walls, smash a brick in two, or throw a brick at someone without being charged with murder. The majority of this fake brick is made of foam. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a fake movie prop brick.
You can't have a werewolf movie without a werewolf, but how do you make one. Well, you should start of small. Try your hands at the wolf claws. To create these furry werewolf claws, you'll need a glove and some other materials. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a breakable prop computer. For written instructions on the actual claws, check out the WikiHow article, "How to Make Origami Paper Claws".
Etsy is the place to get all your handmade needs and wants met. Etsy encourages personal connections between sellers and consumers. On Etsy you can connect with the handmade and crafty communities, and learn more about the process of making handmade goods like soaps, candles, invitations and more.
If you've ever seen David Blaine or Criss Angel, there's a good chance you've seen this card trick performed at least once. It's a very common trick, and yet the effect still blows people away.
Adam from Chemical Reaction wants to show you a little movie magic. This video tutorial will show you how to create, shoot and edit a time freeze effect for your homemade film. Stopping time is no joke, but doing it with a little camera skills and a little editing skills makes it easy. You just need to know when to freeze the frame and then layer it with another.
See how to snap a person's neck for a film effect, complete with sound. This requires just two easy steps. First, get some peanuts. Second, synchronize the head movement to you crushing the peanuts into the microphone. Snapping a neck on camera is nothing as long as you have those peanuts and are careful... very, very careful not to snap the neck for real. This neck snapping is a great cinematic trick for the seasoned amateur filmmaker.
Learn how to create a green screen effect using Boris Continuum Complete's Chroma Key filter in Apple Final Cut Studio. BCC Chroma Key is used for compositing camera footage shot using a blue, green, or orange screen as a backdrop over a new background video or a still image from a separate file. BCC Chroma Key is also included as part of Boris FX 9.2 and Boris RED 4.3. If you have access to this powerful plug-in for Final Cut Pro, watch and learn how to use it for precise chroma keying.
Want to mix and scratch like a professional DJ? To be a good DJ you need to understand the concepts of mixing tracks, adding cool effects, and of course you need a good sense of rhythm to line up the beats. This how to video explains how to use the break, dump, & reverse effects on a Denon DN-S1200 mixer. You can set the time of the reverse feature by moving the parameters dial. Watch this DJ tutorial so you can learn how to use the break, dump, & reverse FX features on a Denon DN-S1200 mixer.
Want to mix and scratch like a professional DJ? To be a good DJ you need to understand the concepts of mixing tracks, adding cool effects, and of course you need a good sense of rhythm to line up the beats. This how to video explains how you can use the audio FX on the SVM-1000 Pioneer mixer. You can use these with a conventional CDJ or vinyl T-table and with the DVJ-1000 player. Remember all effects are good, but not if you use them all the time! Watch this DJ tutorial and you can learn how ...
Some people don't like alcohol that tastes like alcohol; they just drink it for the intoxicating effect. Sweet, food-flavored shots are the perfect way to get that desired effect, without feeling like you're drinking booze. Watch this video specialty drink-mixing video and learn how to build some shots that taste better than rubbing alcohol, by a wide margin. Learn how to make the Apple Pie shot (with vodka, apple juice, and cinnamon), the Lemon drop shot (with vodka, lemon, and sugar), and t...
Watch this instructional cinematography video to learn a cheap and easy method of creating your own time-lapse footage with a motor controlled hacked clock. This is an excellent way to generate fast forward effects in film (think of the famous scene in Garden State). This is a great effect for filmmakers on a budget to simulate.
Watch this short tutorial on how to make a realistic bullet hit to simulate an actor getting shot by a gun. Materials needed include a pressure sprayer, clear tubing that will fit on to the hose of the pressure sprayer, a small Translucent PVC elbow, fake blood, duct tape, a funnel, a shirt you don't mind damaging.
This video gives a ten minute tutorial on how to achieve the superimposition effect for web videos with a little props and software.
This two part tutorial for Sony Vegas explains how to use 3D (axis' X Y Z). It will tell you the fundamentals to work in 3D space, and also give examples of using this.
Windows Movie Maker has some pretty cool text effects. One of them is a layered effect for titles. Here is basically the same thing in Sony Vegas.
Interested in learning how to do advanced green screen tricks to show a subject flying? After this tutorial, you'll be a pro. How to launch: Light the screen and the subject. Frame the subject so that you do not see their feet on the ground. Do this by cutting off the lower 1/3 of the subject. Sell the effect by using a fan from above. Add in a background which works with the flying that you are trying to achieve. How to fly: Have a prop that you can use for effect that can be cut out later (...
A great free video training from tasktutorial on how to create a cool movie text effect in Flash. Start by creating the text; type in "cool", rename the layer and lock it. Now type "movie" and rename the layer. Type in "effect" and rename this layer as well. Now focus on the first layer. Convert it to movie clip. Now convert the other two layers to movie clips as well. Stack the three layers on top of each other. Next add a key frame starting from frame 10. Select the "cool" layer. Re-size it...
Videomaker Associate Editor Tom Skowronski explains how four basic steps can be used to improve the lighting effects for a video and give it a more professional look.
This video shows how to properly set up a green screen, to set up the screen we are taking into account this four factors:
Learn how to read the secret thoughts of three friends! This video is a great trick to perform at a bar or while sitting around with fiends. They'll be amazed when they think you are capable of reading their minds!
Pixel Perfect is the "perfect" show to help you with your Photoshop skills. Be amazed and learn as master digital artist Bert Monroy takes a stylus and a digital pad and treats it as Monet and Picasso do with oil and canvas. Learn the tips and tricks you need to whip those digital pictures into shape with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. In this episode, Ben shows you how to create hair and fur with the pen tool in Photoshop.
In this After Effects tutorial you will learn how to create clones. All you need is multiple copies of video footage of the same person or object (cleverly prepared ahead of time would be preferred) and After Effects. Using opacity, you can quickly create a movie of clones from your footatge in After Effects.
This is a pretty cool little trick for your brain. If you stare at a negative image for a little, then switch it to black and white, it appears to be in color. Images can be downloaded here: http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l13...
This video deals with special effects used in movies or theater. The first tutorial deals with making a chopped off finger effect inexpensively. Start with some modeling wax and roll it into an upper finger shape. Next, you cut it to the desired length and paint the inside of each finger section red. Now, paint the outside of the finger with skin tone make up. The next step is to take a toothpick and poke a hole in the finger. Paint the hole so that it doesn't look very noticeable. You're rea...
