Hot Props & SFX How-Tos
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: Create an oozing fake wound
The cost of acrylic paint and corn syrup? Minimal. Freaking out your friends beyond all reason? Priceless.
How To: Make a sword out of foam
Poke, jab, and stab your opponent without taking out an eye. You Will Need
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.
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.
How To: Design & apply costume FX to become the Terminator
This tutorial will show you how I created my own original Terminator costume from scratch and a modest budget. All the materials used are easy to find items sold at your local Hallowe'en or theatrical costume store.
How To: Build a fun foam boffer sword
Watch this video tutorial to see how to build a fun foam boffer sword! These boffer swords for any of your larping needs!
How To: Shoot and edit a 3D movie
Sick of making BORING two-dimensional movies? In this video tutorial, an episode of Indy Mogul 4 Minute Film School, you will learn how to shoot and edit a 3D movie.
How To: Make an Assassin's Creed hidden blade prop
Adam from Chemical Reaction wants to show you a little movie magic. This video tutorial will show you how to make an Assassin's Creed hidden blade prop for your homemade film. If you're a fan of the Assassin's Creed video game, then you can't not make this hidden blade. This is a great prop for anybody wanting to recreate it for a fan film. It's cheap and quite easy and works pretty well.
How To: Create a giant spider web with rope and bolts
Watch this video tutorial to see how to create a giant spider web with rope and bolts. To make this giant Halloween spider web effect, you'll need a bunch of rope, a frame and 24 eye bolts. You can use this technique to weave a spider web at any scale, as long as you have an even number of at least 24 points to fasten to, around four sides.
How To: Make the fake "glass in the hand" Halloween effect
Show your kids how to make special effects for the movies, haunted houses, or disaster drills. You can really freak some people out with this special effect makeup. Just watch this video tutorial to see how to make the fake "glass in the hand" Halloween effect.
How To: Make your own Harry Potter magic wand
In this video tutorial, go into the world of Harry Potter and learn how to make your own Harry Potter magic wand. For this magic wand project, you'll need an LED, copper wire, colored markers, plaster, and a straw. Sure, it's not the best magic wand ever, but it's nice and cheap and easy to make... a good project for the kids.
How To: Make your own green screen studio and key it out
Want to learn how you can make some awesome YouTube videos of your own? Maybe your own Internet show or maybe even a short indie film... well, one way to make things easy is a green screen. This two-part video tutorial will show you how to make your own green screen studio and key it out. With a green screen, a YouTube show with special effects is easy!
How To: Make a prop pen flashlight powered Star Trek phaser
This is a tutorial on Halloween costumes prop construction. Follow these easy Star Trek Phaser construction directions. Spocks costume needs a phaser. The phaser laser beam is simulated by a pen flashlight.
How To: Apply zombie makeup and make zombie clothes
Get your Halloween on zombie-style! Watch this ThreadBanger video tutorial to see how to apply zombie makeup and make zombie clothes. Becoming undead is perfect for Halloween parties, but you can't do it without a little help. Get a makeup tutorial from the creators of Zombie A GO GO plus a lesson on how to zombify your clothing. This will also be helpful for all of you amateur filmmakers out there looking to make the next horrific horror movie for the undead.
How To: Build a blue Eryndor boffer sword
All you LARPers out there, watch and see how you can make a blue boffer sword for LARPing. This weapon passes all weapons specs as of Ragnarok XXI War Council for Eryndor.
How To: Make an Amtgard-style boffer sword
It's time for some LARP! Get your Amtgard LARPing on with this easy to make faom boffer sword. Just watch as Harkael explains how you can make an Amtgard-style boffer sword. This isn't the only way to make a foam sword, but if you know nothing about making swords for live action role playing, this is a great place to start.
How To: Create the wall cut with your camera and Sony Vegas
The wall cut is a very cool transition, where it looks as if the scene appears on the other side of the wall. You can do this with steady hands to hold that camera, and any editing platform with a linear wipe transition. Here, you'll see it done with Sony Vegas.
How To: Pass through a wall using your camera and Sony Vegas
This tutorial shows you how to "pass through a wall". It's a really neat editing trick, so use it wisely. Don't overdo it, or it will just look cheesy, not that cheesy's bad or anthing.
How To: Make a whip cut with your camera and Sony Vegas
The 'whip cut' is a clever way of joining shots together without the audience realizing there's been a cut. This means that you can shoot one actor in one place and another actor in a completely different place and join the two shots together. If you're trying to make twins, then make sure they are wearing different clothes, please.