Build a Poor Man's Vaccumformer

Via BlackOrc over at The Effects Lab's Forum is this neat how-to look at a poor man's vacummformer. 

Go here for the full details.

Note: Because this tutorial involves heat guns and hot plastic build this at your own risk.

HOW TO BUILD A BREAK-AWAY PHONE

From Eric Hart's excellent blog is this how-to look on building a break-away phone.  Go here for the full details.

RECYCLED HOLLYWOOD

It's not a big secret that lots of times low budget filmmakers will re-use their own props, costumes, sets, and stock footage for other films.  Troma Studios is a great example of this technique. 

However, from time to time even larger studios have been known to re-use props from other films for other TV programs and movies. 

To discover yourself more on how this technique has saved filmmakers money go over to Den of Geek which has listed a great top-50 list of Hollywood re-used props and scenes examples.  Go here for the full list and the next time you watch a film or TV show see if you can spot any props that have been re-used.

INPSIRATION OF THE DAY: BUILD A MYSTIC FROM THE DARK CRYSTAL

Next to the werewolf suit and the Big Daddy costume I would have to place this DIY in a top five fave list of some sort.  It's an absolutely brilliant build.  Go here for the full details.

BUILD A FREDDY GLOVE

BUILD A FALLOUT 3 HELMET

Here is a cool tutorial on building a helmet inspired by the video game Fallout 3.  However, for those not looking for a replica, this tutorial can easily be modified to fit any sort of helmet need for your own film.  Full details here.

CONCEPT ART: BACK TO THE FUTURE 2

Someone has been generous enough to share some of the amazing concept art that was created for the props, some seen and unseen, from the film Back to The Future 2.  The entire gallery can be seen here.

As a bit of a sidenote it's interesting to see how the concept art for the Kodak camera was not too far from reality compared to the digital cameras we have today.

HOW TO BUILD CHEAP SKULLS

Here is a nifty vid I stumbled upon over at Youtube on building cheap no-budget skulls.:

As a bit of caution Expanding Foam can be a bit dangerous if not used properly.  Remember to use gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes and of course use adult supervision for you youngsters out there.

FAKE N BAKE

Fake n Bake is a amazing blog centered around the how to of replica prop food. The kind of prop found constantly in all sorts of visual media from film, theatre, and even advertising. It's even the kind of prop that is often admired as a artform in Japan as restuarants use replica food to showcase their menu offerings. Enough talk go there and be amazed. (h/t to Eric Hart)

INSPIRATION: CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO PROPS

Here is a nifty website which contains assortment of pics of costumes and props which were used in varios classic DOCTOR WHO episodes. What I love about this site is that the site includes some clue as to how the props and costumes were made and for which episode. Go here for more.

DIY FAKE NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

Over at Cephlaphod Productions is this fantastic tutorial on creating your own aged newspaper clippings. A very useful skill to know for most films involving ancient mysteries. Check it out. (h/t to Propnomicon)

DIY HOW TO MAKE DISTRICT 9 ALIEN HANDS

The gang over at Indy Mogul's Backyard FX has a new vid on a how-to make alien hands similar to the ones found in the film DISTRICT 9.

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.

LETTERHEADY

Letterheady is a fantastic blog centered around scans of original letterheads from both famous companies and people and even a few infamous figures thrown into the mix.

What makes this site so special for prop guys is that the letterheads found on the site are a virtual goldmine for anyone needing a replica of a letterhead or looking for inspiration for their own project. This is even a great resourceful site for those who play Live-Action Cthulhu.

Check it out here.

BIG DADDY

Well, as some of you who follow me on Twitter already know, I was going to create a gorilla costume similar to an early Rick Baker suit. This would have been used for Halloween 2010 and of course a film or two. However, change of plans. Instead I'm building this:


Details and step-by-step posts to coming soon.

DOCTOR WHO: CONCEPT ART

Over at i09 is a small collection of concept art from the Mars episode of Doctor Who. It's a rather impressive gallery showcasing some of the prop designs that were used. (h/t to i09)

HOW TO BUILD A TAUNTAUN COSTUME

Here is a insanely detailed log on how one man went out and made Tauntaun costume for Halloween. I'm not a Star Wars geek but this, you have to admit, is damn cool! (h/t to Make Zine)

HALLOWEEN DECOR IDEA: A WEREWOLF HEAD HUNTING TROPHY

It's the perfect thing to have at at den, home office, or anywhere else in your creepy castle. Full instructions on how to build one can be found here.

BUILD A ARTICULATED MONSTER FRAME

Here is a neat tutorial on building a articulated frame to aid home haunters in posing monsters for their yards, to be used as Halloween decor, or for someone who just needs a statue prop for a film. Go here for the full build instructions.

BUILD A PAPER MACHE SKELETON

Here is a cool tutorial on making a skeleton out of paper mache. Very useful when one is quickly needed on a low budget. Check it out.