Props & SFX How-Tos
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.
How To: Reproduce Freddy Krueger's famous glove from 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'
It's not a complete Freddy Krueger costume without his famous glove! Learn how to make the famous glove from Nightmare on Elm Street to terrify your friends at the next Halloween party.
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 fake blood for Halloween
In this video, we learn how to make fake blood for Halloween. You will need: small bottle, teaspoon, cut, clear syrup, red and blue food coloring, and corn starch. First, pour some syrup into the cup, then add in 2 tsp corn starch and mix together. Next, drop in some red food coloring and mix together. After this, add in blue food coloring and mix it together so you have blood red colors in the cut. When you are finished, you will have fake blood that you can use on Halloween at home and it w...
How To: Create ink drop & spread effects
In this tutorial, we learn how to create ink drop and spread effects. You will need: coffee filters, fish tank, dropper, black ink, water, and a bowl. Next, pour water into your fish tank, then pour your ink into the dropper. After this, add in water into the bowl and place the coffee filter in it to soak it, then place it on a flat surface. For the first effect, drop the ink into your water and see what it looks like when you drop it into the tank, getting this on tape and using the proper l...
How To: Make your very own sugar glass prop for movies
If you and your friends want to make your own movie and need some cool stunts, this next tutorial should help. In the video, you'll find out how to make your very own sugar glass from scratch. This is perfect for breaking over someone's head and can easily be done within a few hours.
How To: Create a man-eating plant and a severed finger props
This video will teach you how to make two awesome props for you films for the price of one! Well, technically it's all free, but still, 2 for 1! You will learn how to make man-eating plant and a severed finger props, with instructions given by devoted viewers of Indy Mogul like you. All you need to make this stuff work is $35 for each project.
How To: Set up and light an inexpensive green screen
In this tutorial, we learn how to set up and light an inexpensive green screen. First, use the backdrop with anything that is a lime green color. You can use anything from a green colored wall to a green blanket. Put one light on both sides of the screen, then place blue color over the lights. Place the camera in front of the green screen and look at the lighting to make sure the lighting is right in the area. When you are ready, use software to change the background to different places. When...
How To: Simulate a shotgun kickback effect
In this tutorial we learn how to simulate a shotgun kickback effect. Start off by purchasing a harness from a department store. Next, take the harness and strap it onto the actor. After this, have the actor put his shirt on and then cut a hole in the back for the hook in the back of the harness. Now, have the actor bend slightly forward, then pull in the actor quickly. Next, have another actor kick or hit something where the other actor would be standing. Combine both of these clips together ...
How To: Make a sniper rifle movie prop
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a sniper rifle movie prop. First, go to this website to get the blueprints: Sniper. After this, draw your gun out onto a poster board and cut it out, you will do this for around 6 of these poster boards. When you are finished, use the hot glue gun to stick all of these together. Next, sand out the sides and attach duct tape to the sides to keep it together. After this, grab two empty water bottles and an empty toilet paper roll. Cut around the top of the...
How To: Make chroma key blood and a golden Desert Eagle
For the first part, make chroma key blood: Ingredients: glue, flour, mix with water like papier mache, three drops of green and two drops of yellow food color. This combination gives more of a fluorescent chroma key look.
How To: Make a grappling hook gun prop like Batman's
Superman and the X-Men all had really cool superpowers that were the basis for their superhero status. Batman, on the other hand, had no superpowers other than a genius intellect and a prizefighter's physique. When he wanted to fly, he had to use a grappling gun he made himself. Livid. This video will show you how to make a prop version of the iconic Batman grappling hook gun for you next film using $30 worth of parts and a little bit of gumption.
How To: Become a zombie with Halloween prosthetics
Use gelatine prosthetics and paint techniques to create the ultimate zombie make up look - great for halloween or professional films! It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview of the process in just under six minutes' time. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, watch this video guide.
How To: Make a fake single barrel pump-action shotgun prop
Shotguns are great for obliterating things that are close to you. Single barrel pump-action shotguns are the one most readily available to most folks, and if you want to depict one in one of your films without buying one or risking injury to your actors, this video will help you. It will show you how to make a prop shotgun out of cardboard and some other tools that looks pretty realistic and will let you shoot with guns without risking shooting anyone.
How To: Make the Gambit X-Men glowing card special effect
Gambit is one of the coolest X-Men, and his kinetic energy powers are awesomely powerful. If you want to depict them using special effects in a film, this video will show you how to do it using three free pieces of digital editing software:
How To: Make a realistic fake severed finger prop
Fingers are the parts of the body most often severed from the rest of it, and if you have any interest in creating violent or edgy films there will probably come a time where you want to cut a finger off for a scene. This video will show you how to make a really realistic-looking fake severed finger prop. It isn't a severed finger technically, but a hand with part of a severed finger still attached, and it looks SO creepy. This prop will make any horror film or Halloween costume much more rea...
How To: Make the repulsor arm prop from Iron Man
Iron Man, and to a lesser extent it's sequel, represent the best of the new comic-book-movie boom and have rejuvenated the popularity of one of Marvel's most interesting characters. Do you want to make a Tony Stark costume, or dress someone you know in one for a film or party? This video will show you how to make one of the coolest and most important parts of the Iron Man ensemble: the repulsor arm ray gun.
How To: Make a realistic Fallout 3 dart gun prop
One of the many reasons for the Fallout series enduring popularity is the wide variety of creative and retro-futuristic weapons available for the player to lay waste with. Most of them are not real, but by gumption this girl has made one of them so! This video will show you how to make something like, but probably not as good-looking as, this amazing replica of the dart gun from Fallout 3. It's made of pretty much the same materials you make it out of in the game, and might be the single best...
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 2 props: a laser pistol and a gas mask
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.
How To: Make a retro ray gun prop for film or costumes
It's funny how unevenly the real world keeps pace with science fiction. Smartphones have capabilities that Gene Roddenberry never imagine a portable device could have, but guns still use tiny powder cartridges to launch hunks of metal at things. The phasers, ray guns, and blasters of Star Wars, Star Trek, and other sci-fi works have yet to appear. Don't let that hold you back! This video will show you how to make a cool retro ray gun prop that you can use with a Halloween costume or in a film...
How To: Make realistic Wolverine claws out of plastic scythes
If you are shooting a film with featuring the iconic X-Men team member Wolverine or want to dress yourself or someone else as him for some other reason, the claws are the most important part. They're what makes Wolverine Wolverine, at least externally (he didn't always have chops Hugh Jackman you studmuffin you!) and the ones you use had better look good if your costume is going to be a hit. This video will show you how to make some very authentic-looking Wolverine claws at home out of some s...
How To: Make claws by folding pieces of paper
Claws make a very cool costume piece for all sorts of costumes, from Wolverine to werewolves to whatever sort of freeform clawed monster you can conceive. This video will show you how to make some cool finger-claws (not Wolverine-style) out of paper. They are surprisingly intimidating given that they are made out of paper, and will go a long way towards creating whatever creature costume you're working on.
How To: Make easy paper Wolverine claws
Wolverine's claws are the most well-known hardware in all of comics, and making replicas of them for Halloween costumes and film shoots is a popular vocation. This video will show you one easy way to do it using only paper. They look pretty cool, although if you want them to look more real a little bit of paint would probably go a long way. Either way, this is a cheap and easy project that will make you Wolverine costume much more achievable.
How To: Build a really cool futuristic prop gun
If you're making films on your own, good on you. Do you ever find yourself without the money or means to get the props that you need? Every day most likely. This video is here to both inspire and provide practical aide. It describes the construction of a really cool sci-fi gun (dubbed the MKX300) that this filmmaker made for his webseries out of mostly old bottles. It was cheap and looks incredible, so watch this video and either make your own MKX300 or apply these lessons to the construction...
How To: Make quick, easy prop Wolverine claws
First of all, feel free to disregard the first 2:05 of this video, it is not a how-to but behind-the-scenes footage of this guy's short film. After 2:05, however, you will get a great tutorial on how to make a set of prop Wolverine claw quickly, easily, and cheaply. They are made out of cardboard and spraypaint, and as long as you don't do any closeups on them or require you Wolverine to open his hands with the claws out at any point (impossible in this configuration) they look plenty real. Y...
How To: Make a replica of the Spartan laser from Halo 3
The lasers from Halo might not be quite as famous as the assault rifles form the games, but they are still a very cool-looking and integral part of it. This video will show you how to make your own replica of the Spartan laser from Halo out of a toy gun called the Belt Blaster. The end result looks so real it might get you arrested by any cops from the future that you may run into, so be careful.
How To: Make a super hero mask prop for a film or Halloween
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.
How To: Make fake blood
In order to make fake blood for Halloween, you will need the following: a towel, a spoon, a container, red food color, white corn syrup, and blue food color.
How To: Make a sawed-off shotgun movie prop
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a sawed0off shotgun. The materials required for this project are: hot glue gun, duct tape, cardboard, utility knife, black marker, spray paint and 2 paper towel rolls. Begin by tracing a shotgun outline onto the cardboard. Make 6 layers and glue all the layers together. Then smooth the edges with sandpaper and tape the outside with some duct tape. Now tape the 2 paper towel rolls together and tape it on top of the shotgun. Finish by painting t...
How To: Simulate steadycam shots and make fake crushed bullets
This video has three parts: two that will teach you how to do things and one that is just a badass montage. The two how-to parts of the video will teach you how to first simulate a steadycam / dolly shot with only a tripod and the other will teach you how to create fake crushed bullets to use in action or mystery scenes. The montage will show you some cool effects to strive for.
How To: Make a really gross fake scar for Halloween or film
Making fake scars, abrasions, lacerations, and other wounds is one of the most entertaining parts of special effects and makeup work. This video help you get started, teaching you how to make a really gross, festering, fresh-looking fake arm wound that will scare the pants off of your audience (if you use it for a movie) or your fellow revelers (for Halloween or another costumed occasion).
How To: Make easy fake wounds for Halloween or film
Making fake wounds is an art form, and this girl is, if not a master, at least a very accomplished journeywoman. In this video she teaches us how to create a realistic-looking fake wound using only liquid latex, facepaint, and other simple materials. The end result is creepy and gross, and will make a perfect addition to your next Halloween costume or hot date.
How To: Do the Joker's makeup from The Dark Knight
Heath Ledgers iconic portrayal of The Joker in the film The Dark Knight has made him a Hollywood legend, shoving Jack Nicholson Joker straight out of posterity. This video will teach you how to do your makeup to look like his scary makeup from the film. The end result looks really good, and is sure to intimidate your friends on Halloween or at whatever other costume soiree you wear this to.
How To: Make a car-mounted rocket launcher prop for a film
Do you want to make your own action movies? Do you feel like your artistic vision would be enhanced by having a car with a rocket launcher on top of it in the film? You aren't alone. This video will show you how to make a car-mounted rocket launcher for $20 dollars out of simple materials. It won't blow up another car, but it will look really cool.
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: Do a makeup open wounded face effect for Halloween
Fake wounds are one of the most popular makeup elements to include in Halloween costumes, and are also very useful in making films. This video will teach you how to create a realistic open facial wound using makeup. It looks so real, any doctors that you run into will probably try to rush you to the hospital immediately.
How To: Create a rotten diseased flesh effect for Halloween
If you want to make a movie with zombies, or the apocalypse, or the apocalypse and zombies, then you are going to have to learn how to create a really haggard-looking, disease-ridden face out of makeup. This video will show you how to do it using Rice Krispies, among other things. The end result is terrifying, and sure to scare your audiences or trick-or-treating targets into doing what you want (buying theater tickets or giving your candy, respectively).