Hot Props & SFX Posts
How To: Build your own lightsaber props from Star Wars
In this episode of the popular web series Systm, you'll learn how to make your very own lightsaber prop from the "Star Wars" movies. Many of the components are surprisingly simple - old flashlights, windshield wiper blades, etc. But when you them together, you can have an effective prop for a lot less than you'd pay for a reproduction.
How To: Make cheap and easy fake blood
If you're making a cheap horror movie, you're gonna need fake blood, and lots of it! In this video, you'll learn how to make a liter of fake blood. And the supplies are everyday household supplies, costing less than a dollar!
How To: Make really simple and gross fake blood
There are a lot of recipes for fake blood online. This one is one of the simplest, and one of the grossest-looking. Just take some white corn syrup, red and blue food coloring and corn starch, mix them all together and you'll soon have an appalling concoction that will terrify your audiences and leave a stain on your rug that you'll never, ever get out.
How To: Improve your green screen skills
Having trouble with your green screen? You may not have it lit right, or it may not be secured properly, or you might not be using your editing software right when using chroma key. If you want to learn a few tips on how to fix a bad green screen, this is the place. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to improve your green screen skills.
How To: Build a fake rock movie prop
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.
How To: Build a jet pack movie prop
Remember the Rocketeer? The rocket jet pack that he wore? Jet packs are the coolest sci-fi props that haven't been perfected in "real life" yet. Almost, but not quite. For now, film rocket belts or rocket packs will do. Like in the Bond flick "Thunderball" and in the Star Wars movies "Attack of the Clones" and "Return of the Jedi". It's even in "Fahrenheit 451" and "Minority Report". But your homemade DIY jet pack might be the best of all. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a jet...
How To: Build a "Ghostbusters" Ghost Trap Prop
What's a proton pack without a ghost trap? Useless, that's what. Don't pay megabucks for some fake Ghostbusters costume when you can build your own with household materials.
How To: Build a breakable iPhone movie prop
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.
How To: Build a robot dog prop with poster board
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.
How To: Build a fake sword prop
It's medieval mayhem and you need a sword prop. Maybe you're larping, or maybe you just need a fake, dull movie prop blade for your action epic. Either way, this is a great weapons build project for a cool replica wooden sword. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a fake sword prop.
How To: Build a fake cardboard security camera
Home security is as important as having a job. You have to protect your family and your valuables. If you can't afford a high tech security system, then maybe a fake security camera will do the trick. This security camera dud is also a cheap alternative for a film prop. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to build a fake cardboard security camera.
How To: Make a movie prop grenade
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.
How To: Make a prop movie bomb
Dynamite your way to movie success with an explosive bomb. A fake explosive bomb, of course. TNT on a timer is a great movie effect for you action flick. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a prop movie bomb.
How To: Make a realistic werewolf claw
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".
How To: Make a breakable prop computer
Everybody has that destructive feeling sometimes, when you just want to smash your computer to bits due to a glitch or virus or freeze up. If you're making a film, it's a little more plausible that the computer would actually get smashed, considering it would be a fake prop computer. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a breakable prop computer.
How To: Make a prop RPG
An RPG is a rocket propelled grenade, which is a common tool for enemy combatants in Iraq these days. If you need to have an RPG for your action war movie, then it's best to build your own prop one, since RPG's aren't exactly legal. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a prop RPG.
How To: Make a sword out of foam
Poke, jab, and stab your opponent without taking out an eye. You Will Need
News: Shoot Lasers Ghostbusters-Style
Send the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man back to the world of s'mores and hot cocoa this Halloween. This complete Ghostbusters costume from Instructables user Depot Devoid is like the real-life movie prop. You can shoot "laser" particle beams at ghosts with the Proton Pack, and capture them with the Muon Ghost Trap. There's even a set of Ecto Goggles to complete the outfit.
How To: Make a static zombie Halloween prop
Scary Jerry shows you how to improve your Halloween decorations this year with his static zombie Halloween prop. It's split up into two parts, so watch both to make sure you get all of the details on making this life-sized zombie prop.
How To: Make a black light ghost Halloween prop
Scary Jerry shows you how to improve your Halloween decorations this year with his black light ghost Halloween prop. This is a cool looking ghost that creates a scary looking effect thanks to the black light.
How To: Create a ghastly exposed muscle makeup look
Learn how to do a makeup look "exposed muscle" with Petrilude. Petrilude (aka Josh) is a guy that does makeup. You may think taking makeup tips from a guy is strange, but Petrilude is a talented makeup artist. If you are looking for party makeup looks, great for going out to the club, check out Petrilude's makeup tutorials. Search Petrilude on WonderHowTo for more amazing beauty looks: party makeup, club makeup, drag queen makeup, halloween makeup, costume makeup, goth makeup, and more.
News: Debunk those damn ghost girl videos
Who is this oddly painted man? Sage or idiot? Captain Disillusion puts Japan under the microscope to debunk the mirror girl ghost camera trick illusion.
How To: Set up the perfect green screen studio
Hey guys. Here's a guide to making the best green screen studio without paying too much cash! Not cheap like our first one, Today we're balancing price AND quality. Can't use green poster board forever.
How To: Make an Iron Man Arc Reactor Prop
Adam's tutorial on an Iron Man Arc Reactor Prop.
How To: Create vambrace forearm armor film props
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about gauntlets.
How To: Make a cheap special effects blood cannon
Check out this video guide on how to make a cheap special effects blood cannon. This inexpensive SFX machine not only cheap, but an effective Special FX blood cannon for any zombie movie or gunshot wound or blood splatter effect!
How To: Create a simple axe film prop
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about axes.
How To: Create a smashing ice hand film prop
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about ice hands.
How To: Make a ninja mask from a t-shirt
Want to be a ninja? This ViewDo video tutorial will show you how to make a ninja mask from a t-shirt. Once you have your t-shirt ninja mask made, the rest is up to you... learn some martial arts or something. Kyeaah!
How To: Create a land mine prop
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about land mines.
How To: Set up a hot chick bloody gun shot stunt double
This Kipkay video shows you how to make a squib for a perfect bloody gun shot effect. This Special FX howto will make your gorey bullet hole movie so much more realistic. You need a garden hose valve to build this movie effect.
How To: Build a laser gun prop and create laser effects
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about laser guns.
How To: Build two lightsabers, make effects, and use the force
Check out this video from Chemical Reaction Tutorials (CRTutorials). If you love filmmaking, prop making, editing and everything else that goes along with making movies, then you'll want to see what Adam has to say about lightsabers.
How To: Make a Rorschach mask effect from the Watchmen
See how you can make Rorschach's mask from the new hit movie, "The Watchmen". For just under twenty bucks, Erik from Indy Mogul, will show you how to recreate the inkblot effect from Rorschach's mask in "The Watchmen" movie.
How To: Create a blood squirting "axe in the back" effect
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to create a blood squirting "axe in the back" effect, just like in Friday the 13th.
How To: Make a robotic arm and make cheap lighting for shoots
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to make a robotic arm and create cheap lighting for shoots.
How To: Build a cheap and portable green screen
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to build a cheap and portable green screen.
How To: Create an ice frozen actor makeup special effect
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to create an ice frozen actor makeup special effect.
How To: Create a hand stab effect and Halo Portal Gun
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to create a hand stab effect and Halo Portal Gun.
How To: Use liquid latex to do Phantom of the Opera makeup FX
Video tutorial on how to use liquid latex to make yourself look like a character of some kind, in this case Erik, the Phantom of the Opera. This is a four part video on doing Erik Phantom of the Opera facial makeup. This is a pro FX makeup lesson. SFX is pretty easily, but follow along.