Online Tutorials

Shawn Philip Nelson

Shawn Philip Nelson

Veteran
Alright, let's round them up folks!

False Teeth (this site has a lot of good makeup-driven fx tutorials)
http://www.makeup-fx.com/tandeng1.html

Studio Creations Costume and Prop Building
Mostly deals with Star Wars costume/props, but has great general tutorials on plastic vacuum forming, distressing objects, riveting, etc
http://www.studiocreations.com/howto/

Ever wonder how to build a flat? Sure you have. (from Sad Max)
http://www.benteague.com/features/flat.pdf

YouTube Video Tutorials

DIY Vacuum Former
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5CGfoxnKaQ&feature=channel_page

Brain splatter (also briefly shows an alternative design vacuum former)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xc7_AAeglE
 
Last edited:
Thanks SadMax, that was informative. Building a flat is the easy part though... moving and storing are the hard part ;)
 
Build 'em cheap and flimsy and junk them at the end of shooting. Storage costs are not worthwhile unless you have a series of shoots planned to extract the value invested in storage, rather than build fresh pieces as you need them...

...or unless you have a *lot* of unused storage space.

As for moving them...rent a truck.
 
Tsk, tsk Max... while the rest of the World is trying to go Green, you are suggesting tossing materials that can be recycled for other productions? Bad Max!
 
I wouldn't be surprised if there were sources there already - there is a fair amount of production work done in Orlando...gotta look it up.
 
Shawn - I stuck this, as it could be a potentially useful thread. If you don't mind, can you keep an eye on it and update your initial post with any useful links that get submitted throughout this thread's life?
 
Capt Quirk said:
Hmm... with Full Sail being close by, it might be a good idea to open one here in Orlando too.
Click to expand...

Think again. Full Sail makes and stores their own flats. Students are required to construct and finish all flats used for the production of their film while taking Art Direction courses so trying to take advantage of a rental market based around FS would be kind of pointless.
 
Hi, I've been trawling the 'net for a while looking for good film-related tutorials to compile a links page for an amateur film-making group here in the UK.

I have concentrated on the 'practical' side in particular, so sites that discuss/show You how to do low-budget stuff in the real world - not in software - is what I'm after.
Here's a good one with guides for all the usual practical FX stuff; smoke, explosions, snow, etc.

http://www.detonationfilms.com/Cheap_Tips_and_Tricks.htm


I have just found this intelligent QandA on a set painter's site here in the UK.
It is specifically for amateur Theatre, but worth a look as a lot of the design advice and techniques described, would be transferable/adaptable to film-set use.

http://www.set-painting.com/QandA/QandA_LIST.htm

I'll post more as/when I find them.

Cheers, Theron.
 
Last edited:
Another Set Building resource-

Another Set Building resource-

Thanks for starting this Shawn. :)

Here is a web site that I have been following for the last year- it is really fun to follow when class is in session:
http://www.setbuild.ucreative.ac.uk/current.php

BTW- anyone have any suggestions / idea on how to join two flats together in an easy way that would allow for break down / transport / storage, but also allow for a seamless join? (Or am I asking for to much ... )
 
Well...good carpentry with good straight stock and alignment via coffin latches or comparable fasteners will get you close enough that taping and painting the seam is about all you will have to do to complete setup.

I think that's as close as the breakdown you describe will come, to seamless.
 
Thanks- sounds like a possible solution. (I'll have to test out my carpentry skills ...)

For flats that are not going to be borken down / stored, what is the common way of attaching them together? Is it to screw them together and then tape / mud the joints?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top