How to Make a Fake Beating Heart on a Dime

Just in time for Valentine's Day is this old school tutorial from Indy Mogul's Backyard FX on how to make a fake heart:

How to Build a Paper Mache and Led Skull

Here's a neat tutorial on building a paper mache skull lit with a LED light inside.  It's the perfect weekend project.  More here.

How-to Rewind: DIY Cheap-ass Brain

I originally mentioned this cool how-to back in 2007 and it still remains a neat how-to for anyone needing a brain for their next Frankenstein or zombie flick.

You say you are making your next mad scientist flick and in need of some brains? Well, my friends. Here is a great tutorial from a spiffy blog that shows you how to make one for cheap. If you prefer here is the video tutorial to get you started:

Build a Mummified Fairy

Here's something cool for those looking for something a bit more unique for your coffee table or movie, a tutorial on how to build a mummified fairy. 

The tutorial could of course be altered for any small creature or monster you can think of.  Full details here.

Build Your Own Mutant/Alien Fetus in a Jar

Over at the Indy Mogul messageboard, forum member Baron Von Fogel, posted a cool and creepy mutant/fetus in a jar tutorial.  Check it out.

Baron Von Vogel also has his own prop site which can be found here.

BUILDING AN ALIEN POD

Here is a nifty tutorial on how to build an alien cryo pod. It's the perfect thing for those needing one for that next sci-fi flick or just to have a conversation piece in the living room. Full details over here.

BUILD YOUR OWN PROP DRINKING CANS

Eric Hart has posted a neat article on how he had to create fake beer cans filled with something non-alcoholic that actually looked real and even gave a nice pressurized hiss as they were cracked opened. He even goes as far as to show two seperate methods as to how this prop build can be achieved. Go here for the details.

BUILD YOUR OWN APOTHECARY JARS ON A SMALL BUDGET

Propmaker Dave Lowe has a fantastic tutorial on how to take empty everyday jars (like spaghetti sauce jars) and plastic drinking glasses and turn them in old fashion apothecary jars. Check it out.

PROP INSPIRATION: 1800'S SURGICAL KIT

Over at MedGadget are wonderful pics of a Civil War era surgical kit unboxed. This is a great link for anyone interested in making a similar prop from that era or in search of prop weathering techniques. Check it out here. (via Boing Boing)

WALKING CANES

I came across this cool website while searching for a walking cane and was in awe of how many types there are and the variety to choose from. This place even has a replica of two of House's now famous canes.

There is even spy canes, the kind with the hidden blades or even a flask. You can also find one with a skull topper - perfect for the next movie villain.

But as a bit or a warning, unless you are prepared to build one on your own, some of these canes come with a hefty price tag.