Heavy Metal Dungeon

I recently shot this scene of a fake public access MTV-esque show called Heavy Metal Dungeon which is being edited by Joe Sherlock that will go into a movie for Warlock Video.  The background was just dumpster rescued bits of cardboard duct taped together and then painted with a fake brick wall pattern using a sponge.  Then I added all of the graffiti using spray paint and paint markers.  Bits of the show's hostess' costume, Heavy Metal Kitty, was made at the last second using Velcro tape and hot-glue.   All in all, I think it came out pretty damn good.

Here is a sneak peek:

Summer Slaycation Update #11

 

Here is some current news as to what I have been up to for those wondering:  http://kidschlocko.blogspot.com/2011/09/summer-slaycation-11-women-rastlin-and.html

I also did manage to finally field test my dollar store budget peel-and-stick blood, as you can see from the pic above, and the results were decent enough if shot right.

My Summer Slaycation Updates

For those wondering why there are fewer posts these past few weeks it is because I have been busy working on a short film called CRAZED for Joe Sherlock's TRULY DEADLY TALES anthology.

Here is the current update on that project.

Backyard FX Alternatives

For those who don't know, sadly, Backyard FX has ended after a good run of many fantastic tutorials.  But fear not, I have found a few alternatives that you may dig:  Also don't forget your dear ol' Lost in Schlock as well.

The Frugal Filmmaker - a great how-to site that is DIY moviemaking centric for those on a low budget.  This is a great place to find tutorials on how to build camera rigs, lighting techniques, and much more.

Film Riot - Film Riot is another amazing site which is a good blend between what the Frugal Filmmaker has to offer and Backyard FX in terms or special effects and props.  Tons of good can be found there.

Quick FX - here is a brilliant Youtube channel from host Dave who some Backyard FX fans may remember was a runner-up to host Backyard FX during the search to replace Eric back in the day.  What makes this place one of the better sites is that Dave's tutorials are like watching video versions of Cinemagic.  All of his prop builds and visual effects how-to's are very practical, cheap, and easy to pull off.  Well worth the visit.

Viewfinder: The Black List that You Must See

Most moviemakers and geeks of the cinema already know of the existence of the Black List which details
each year's top ten unproduced screenplays.  However, a new black list of sorts has popped up on the internet: Viewfinder.

Viewfinder is a list of the top ten short film, music videos and commercials chosen for their originality and for being able to inspire all moviemakers out there.  Some of the short films have already received larger studio support and will find themselves as expanded versions in theaters next year.

Go here and watch the entire list and take lots of notes.

(via /Film)

Build a Mini Greenscreen Studio

From The Frugal Filmmaker is this cool look at how a mini greenscreen studio was built in a kitchen. 

This is the perfect article to read for anyone who needs to build such a set-up but are confined by the limitations of a small place such as a apartment.

Full article here.

No Budget Commandments

Good Machine has listed a series of rather brilliant commandments of making a low budget film that most of us should strive to follow.  Go here for the full list.  (h/t to The Frugal Filmmaker)

How to Make Lemonade When Your Work is Pirated

Most people that are interested in making movies or writing books will more than likely find their works pirated all over the internet.  Despite all the DRM or related countermeasures one can place on their media products its all gonna end up pirated someway and somewhere.

One can sue the pirates and try to shut down their sites; the downside is it involves money and time.  Those are two resources that most indie folks cannot afford to loose.  There is also the risk of loosing an audience who could feel alienated, and they don't exactly like it when someone they like comes around and slaps a lawsuit against them.  That is a sure way of loosing a fan or two. 

So the question is, what should you do when pirated?  Well, pulp guru, Bill Cunningham, has the answers about how to take a lemon and make lemonade out of it.  Go here to learn how to fight piracy by offering a little extra to your audience.

Behind-The-Scenes: THE PAYMENT PLAN

Last month Andrew Kramer from Video Copilot featured a cool short film, The Payment Plan, which showcased some of the After Effects techniques taught at the site.  A few days ago he uploaded a behind-the-scenes video at how the film was made and what vfx was used and how it was done.  Go here for more.

Inspiration: CROPSEY

I don't know why but I truly and dearly love any film that is shot with that "Blair Witch" style POV. Maybe because to me it's like riding a dark ride at a state fair or walking through a haunted house attraction.

It just seems more spookier when you get that feeling that you are there with the filmmakers.  Case in point, here is a spooky film that I feel anyone should put on their must see list. More after the jump.

How to Make a $15,000 Dollar Monster Movie

Recently at the SXSW film fest, filmmaker Gareth Edwards, screened his latest film Monsters.  One of the coolest things about this film was that it was completely made for less than $15,000.  It was all done with a two-man production crew, edited in a hotel room, and with visual effects done in Edwards bedroom. 

Go here for the full details and scroll to the bottom to see a behind-the-scenes video on a inside look at how this film was made.

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Behind-The-Scenes: Critters 1 and 2

Here are some brief behind-the-scenes vids on the puppets for Critters 1 and 2 featuring the Chiodo Brothers.

Forced Perspective VFX: Nuclear Hurricane

Filmmaker Fred Olen Ray has been very generous in letting me share these with you two pics of a scene, shot using the forced perspective method, from his latest film, Nuclear Hurricane. 

The first pic below shows a shot which utilized forced perspective and a foreground model placed inside a matte box which has miniatures built inside of it.  Think of it as a miniature studio set which is being combined in camera with the background.

The reactor in the middle is a salad bowl that Fred Olen Ray picked up from a Walmart.  Actor Jack Scala stands a distance away in front of the the camera as part of the background to achieve the ultimate illusion that he is standing inside a nuclear reactor room.

Here is what the final shot looks like:

Pretty damn cool, right?

Many thanks to Fred Olen Ray for sharing this with us. To find out more about Fred Olen Ray be sure to check out his official site at http://www.retromedia.org/ or join his official Facebook page to keep up to date with his films and current related news.

INSPIRATION: ALIEN LEGACY BEHIND THE SCENES

TROMA SHOWS YOU HOW TO DO THE OL' PLUCK THE EYEBALLS OUT OF A SKULL TRICK

POND 5

While researching various stock footage sites I stumbled upon this one unique site-Pond 5. What makes this website more unique as opposed to other similar services is both the fact that the prices on each clip are within reason and that once purchased you can pretty much do anything you want with it. You can insert a clip into your flick and make as many copies you want. There are no other licenses needed or anything.

Also helpful is the search bar which is set up into various categories and tags to allow you to find almost anything you may need for your next upcoming flick. Check it out here.

THE THREE C'S

It is often said that the three rules you need to keep in mind in making a great film are coverage, coverage, and more coverage. I've reviewed tons of films that could have been viewed at a more higher level if the filmmakers behind them kept that in mind.

Here is a great behind-the-scenes featurette that I found that explains it far better than I could.

MORE GREAT ROSS TUTORIALS

Here are a few more fantastic tutorials or insider tips that we should all learn and know before even attempting to make a flick. Huge thanks to

Sonnyboo.com

THE NEW POVERTY ROW

I received my own copy of THE NEW POVERTY ROW written by schlockmaster, Fred Olen Ray, and by god if the thing doesn't look like a book on accounting the 1950's. However, deep inside is chock full of schlock goodness including behind-the-scenes details and bios on schlockmasters. I haven't read much yet, but I have to recommend it wholeheartedly.