Hot Props & SFX How-Tos
How To: Create a black eye with cinema makeup
In this video, we learn how to create a black eye with cinema makeup. First, you will need black makeup, black eyeliner, and a sponge. Start out by applying purple shadow with a flat brush on the sockets on the bottom of the eye. Apply this down until you reach the top of the cheekbone. Start to pat on a light dusting of black eyeshadow on the same area. After this, start rubbing purple and pink colors into the cheek area and dark brown on the top of the eye. After this, rub the purple on the...
How To: Build a smashable guitar prop
You're not really going to smash that guitar are you? It's a piece of art. Parker put together this tutorial to show how to build a prop guitar you can smash and let out all that rock and roll angst. You will need a glue gun, chess pawns, cardboard, duct tape, a gift box, glue, a garbage can, paper, paint, string, and a ruler. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to build a prop guitar for smashing.
How To: Build your own DIY police taser for your film
If you remember in the Hangover, there was an incredibly funny scene where the guys were stuck getting out of going to prison by helping the officers demonstrate a police tazer in front of a group of kids on a school field trip. If you've ever wanted to make your own prop police tazer for one of your films, check out this hilarious and informative video! In it, you will learn how to create your own police tazer!
How To: Build a Tommy Gun prop on a budget
If you're looking to give your Mafia movie a real, authentic, look, but don't have a ton of cash check out this great Indy Mogul Backyard FX video to learn how to build a Tommy Gun. It may not fire bullets, but this fifty dollar prop packs some real punch.
How To: Make the Hellboy II gun known as the "Good Samaritan"
Do you need an awesome costume for Comicon, or do you just need a giant prop revolver? Either way you can't miss with this episode. Erik shows you how to make your very own "Good Samaritan" revolver from Hellboy! This video will give you tips and tricks for making a great looking Good Samaritan for cheap.
How To: Make an Evil Dead chainsaw arm
Do you love the "Evil Dead" series? Do you need a prop chainsaw so you can dress like Ash? Do you have $30 burning a hole in your pocket? Erik from Indy Mogul shows you how to make a bloody prop chainsaw arm just like Bruce Campbell's in the movie.
How To: Make a Tommy Gun out of cardboard
This video begins by showing the necessary tools needed to make a prop tommy gun out of a cardboard base. The first step is to trace a simple handle shape on the cardboard and repeat eight more times until you have eight exact copies of the handle. Then using an image of a tommy gun make an outline on the gun to cut in another piece of cardboard. You must cut and make eight more copies of the entire gun body to have the appropriate thickness for realism. The handle must be glued to the gun bo...
How To: Make fake special effects squib bullets
This video will give you basic ideas on how you can create special effect squibs, or fake gunshot wounds, from materials such as rocket fuses, fake blood and condoms.
How To: Make Realistic Fluffy Cloud Props from Things Around the House
If you need a cloudy background for a photo or video, you can always turn an old aquarium into a DIY cloud tank. But, if you want something more fun and less creepy, these fluffy cloud props by Serena Thompson might be more what you're looking for. It'd even make a good Halloween costume if you tweak it a little. All you need is some balloons, tape, flour, newspaper, and a bunch of pillow stuffing. Serena made them by taping balloons together and applying a mixture of water and flour, then co...
How To: Make the quick-draw sleeve gun from "Taxi Driver"
This video tutorial from IndyMogul shows you how to make the quick-draw sleeve gun from "Taxi Driver".
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 Spartan 300 shield
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a Spartan 300 shield. You will need: paper mache, durable cloth, gold spray paint, newspapers, cardboard, nuts and bolts, and the cap to a trash can. After you have these, cut out a large piece of cardboard and place it over the trash can cap in a circle shape. Then, dip newspaper strips into the paper mache mixture and apply it to your shield, taking your time to make it smooth. Let this dry, then cut two strips of cardboard and place it in a 'v' shape ...
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: Make a straitjacket for your movie or for Halloween
Are you going INSANE cause you don't have a costume yet for Halloween? Worry no more, because this video tutorial from Thread Banger, Rob shows us a crazy tutorial on how to make your very own straitjacket.
How To: Make glowing LED creature costume eyes
By using LEDs that only put out a little light the eyes can be lit in dim room light but still appear white, the moment the eyes are in shadow they glow bright red. Watch this video tutorial to see how to make glowing LED creature costume eyes for your film or costume project.
How To: Make a fake pregnancy belly prop on a budget
If you're a filmmaker on a budget and you've got some farce up your sleeve, this video is for you. Watch Indy Mogul's Backyard FX explain how to build a really realistic looking latex pregnancy belly, so that your romantic comedy can grow!
How To: Use food for special effects film makeup
In this video, we learn how to use food for special effects film makeup. Using familiar ingredients you find in the kitchen, you can make a scene from a movie that looks real! Food can be made to look like really gross things in movies, using the right colors and consistencies. Gelatin can be used on the face to create something that looks like scabs and a raw burn on a face. Corn flakes can also give off the scraped face look. Barbecue chicken skin can be made to look like a black cut on the...
How To: Build your own prop shotgun
In this tutorial, we learn how to build your own prop shotgun. To make this, you will need: one 2x6 that is 2 feet long, one 1x3 eight inches long, two 8" diameter PVC piping 2 feet long, two one inch PVC end caps, picture hangers, assorted nuts, bolts, and crews. First, draw on the shape of your gun on the pieces of wood, then cut them up with a saw. Then, cut out a prong shape in the front and stain the gun to your desired color. Next, connect all the pieces together and attach the wall han...
How To: Build a Batman grappling gun prop
No Batman Halloween costume is complete without a grappling gun and hook. Parker put together this video to teach how to make this easy prop. You will need a fake plastic gun, two mini DVDs, cardboard, scissors, miscellaneous hardware, two checkers, duct tape, spray paint, and a hot glue gun. Watch this video prop-making tutorial and learn how to build a Batman-style grappling gun prop.
How To: Build a blood-covered pumping heart for your movies
Are you at the bottom of the donor list? Making a movie that calls for a fake beating heart? Then you need to watch this episode. Erik from Indy Mogul will show you how to make a bargain chest ticker for less then $37 dollars
How To: Make Splinter Cell Goggles
These goggles are great for a stage prop, cosplay, Halloween, or any videos you may make! They're made to look like Sam Fisher's tridents from the game series Splinter Cell.
How To: Apply face prosthetics to make yourself look like a zombie
Who doesn't like zombies? This tutorial shows you how to get the ripped face prosthetic from Nimba Creations, and how to apply it. This is a fairly pricey prosthetic, so make sure that you get your money's worth by making it look as awesome as possible!
How To: Build your suit of DIY Master Chief armor from Halo
Master Chief, the star of the Halo franchise before it's most recent iterations, is one of the most recognizable and beloved protagonists in gaming history, and that's without players ever actually seeing his body through his inconic and intimidating armor. If you want to dress up as Master Chief for a Halloween costume, film, or other purpose, watch this video to learn how to make your own DIY Master Chief armor for cheap.
How To: Build a cyclorama wall out of concrete and drywall
A cyclorama wall will have a seamless connection between the all the various pieces of the wall, including where it meets the floor. This tutorial shows you how to build your own cyclorama wall using concrete, drywall and white paint.
How To: Make DIY fog fluid for a fog machine
If you are an avid party-thrower, moviemaker, or are involved in some other activity that involved you frequently using fog machines, you're probably sick of paying for the fluid to make them work. No more! Watch this video for a guide to making your own cheap DIY fog machine juice / fluid at home.
How To: Make a Saw 2 death mask
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a Saw 2 death mask. Start off by grabbing an old helmet and covering it with plastic wrap. Then, make paper mache over it. From here, cut a piece of rubber into small strips. Then, draw and cut three stripes on a piece of cardboard. Then, use two strips for the shoulders and one for around your waist. Then, make the front chest piece with cardboard. From here, make a square with Styrofoam and cut out a piece of an egg carton. Now, draw the eyes and mouth...
How To: Make Splinter Cell prop goggles
In this tutorial, we learn how to make Splinter Cell prop goggles. You will need: goggles, a saw, pipe, a brush, black paint, duct tape, batteries, chop sticks, glue, a ruler, and a pen. First, mark three cuts on the pipe to 3 cm and 5.5 cm. Now, use the saw to cut these. Then, use sandpaper to smooth all the edges. Next, place these onto the goggles and glue them with a hot glue gun. Next, grab two batteries and wrap them in duct tape. Place these with them and then paint these all black. Af...
How To: Make a prop Michael Myers knife
In this video, we learn how to make a prop Michael Myers knife. You will need: six pins, a pen, a sharp knife, black paint, hot glue gun, cardboard, thin cardboard, and medium foil. First, print out a picture of the knife that's given in the video. After this, cut out the pieces and tape them together so it looks like a real knife. Then, cut off the points from the pins and draw the handle of the knife out on the regular cardboard, making two layers. Then, cut out the large part of the knife ...
How To: Create a realistic, severe burn using cinema makeup
In this tutorial, we learn how to create a realistic, severe burn using cinema makeup. You will need to start out with unflavored gelatin made to be placed on the skin to create texture and a glossy look for blood. Start by applying the gelatin to the face with a flat wood stick for makeup. Apply in strokes so you have a textured look, not just smooth. Give this time to cool and set, then apply different colors of makeup onto the gelatin with a brush. Use browns, purples, and reds to create a...
How To: Make feet and hand paws for a fursuit or other costume
If you like fur, and you want to make your own fursuit, the head is the hardest part and you may want to just order that from someone. But the hand and feetpaws are much easier, and as this video will demonstrate you can make your own at home. The video explains all of the steps, and should have you all furry in no time.
Make edible prop bodily fluids: poop, vomit, snot, and blood
The human body is full of different kinds of fluids, most of which are either gross or dangerous to remove from a person for use in one of your films. Fortunately, most of them are pretty easy to replicate using household materials. This video will show you how to make edible prop fake blood, feces, vomit, and snot. They all look great, are safe, and will make you movie much more realistic.
How To: Make a Freddie Krueger glove
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a Freddie Krueger glove. You will need: a saw, sandpaper, silver spray paint, black paint, brown paint, old glove, tin from a can, plexi glass, shiny cardboard, and a hot glue gun. Start off by using your paper roll to cut off a strip of it that will start on the joints of your hands, then cut this in half. After this, make a cut in the top of it and on the sides of it. Do this again for the four fingers, then wrap it around the glove fingers. After this...
How To: Make an DIY Aliens power loader prop for cheap
The Alien movies, most notably Alien and Aliens, are icons of sci-fi horror, and one of their most well-known elements is the awesome power loader that Sigourney Weaver's character Ellen Ripley used to tear the aliens apart. This video will show you how to make your own prop replica of the power loader at home for cheap, so that you can destroy aliens in your own films or maybe pretend to maul some party guests.
How To: Make a double-barrel sawed-off shotgun prop
Using guns in low-budget films is tough. You probably can't afford a real gun or a replica can you? Especially for more specialized guns. Fortunately, this video has the solution. It will show you how to make a really realistic sawed-off shotgun prop for cheap. You will need some carpentry skills and tools, but the gun looks so cool that even if you don't have those things now, you should probably invest in them. You'll be able to use them to make more props later anyway.
How To: Make a fake cut with theatrical makeup
Finally, the professionals are weighing in on how to create fake wounds! This video features a makeup artist from the BBC demonstrating how to make a really realistic fake cut on the hand of an actor using theatrical makeup. The plastic pieces from a CD jewel case that resemble broken glass really set this cut apart from the other fake cuts on the site, along with the professionalism of the presenter.
How To: Make a zombie flesh wound for Halloween or film
There are a lot of ways to hurt people, and almost as many ways to make them look like they've been hurt without doing any damage. This video is about the latter. It will teach you how to create some really scary fake zombie flesh wounds, either for a Halloween costume or film role. Now your eyes won't be the only zombie-like part of your body!
How To: Make realistic looking bite marks for special effects
In this video, learn how to create a realistic looking bite mark on your skin for Halloween, film or theatre projects. This look is actually easier to do than you may think and looks completely real. So, get ready to take a bit 'ol bite outta your arm with this informative video.
How To: Make yourself look very old using basic makeup
In this tutorial, learn how to age yourself for any film or theatre project. This method of aging requires just a few simple makeup products that are cheap and easy to buy, if you don't already own them.
How To: Recreate Freddy Krueger's burnt skin makeup
Okay you saw the super-detailed reproduction of Freddy Krueger's clawed glove, now complete the Freddy costume with this "burning" makeup tutorial. In celebration of the return of "A Nightmare On Elm Street", starring Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger, Indy Mogul's BFX brought out the pain with burnt skin, but they won't burn a hole in your wallet. This burned up skin makeup recreation is the perfect companion for the knived glove. Complete the horrific Freddy look.
How To: Make a breakaway cardboard chair prop
A breakaway chair is one of the best pranks, or one of the easiest effects for your indie film project. A breakable chair can be made out of simple household items, and is very cheap. The biggest material needed is cardboard. So basically, you'll make a cardboard chair, that breaks. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make a fake movie prop brick.