Quick Tips

[LuxuryEntertainment]

I thought it would be nice if there was a thread full of quick tips you know the ones at the end of most BFX episodes, well in this thread you can post your own.

[LuxuryEntertainment]

It is helpful to keep old food containers and card board boxes around after they are empty,
you can recycle them by building effects stuff with them.

I'm building a fake security camera out of some I've kept around.

[trspballer7]

The goodwill is a great place to go to, or a thrift store. Cheap clothes= cheap film-making. So you dont have to get fake blood all over your favorite shirt.

Planning is key. Do your best to control every variable possible, weather, time, actors, clothing, props, everything.

-XVX

[fadedxmasfilms]

if u hate writing scenes out
draw them storyboard
or
comic book style!

[styglabprod]

The last weekend of the month is the best weekend to go alley crawling for nifty things. Also, look for those huge dumpsters when people remodel their homes... scrap wood, nifty conduit, just bring gloves (and uh, maybe ask for permission *ahem* because I am not a lawyer and have no idea if taking other people's trash is illegal or anything).

[Jason Endurance]

Once it's on the curb its fair game.

[ConcorX]

Don't give up just because you can't find a certain part for a build. Look around and you will find plenty of substitutes. Or you can mod it to meet your requirements.

[Flamekebab]

Make sure you remember to white balance your shots if at all possible, the end result is usually a lot nicer.

Once it's on the curb its fair game.I'm not sure if that's true in the UK but IANAL.

[psycho_cow_chick]

You dont always need a tutorial for an effect just hot glue things together or test out new things

[Jonathan Gum]

Don't eat anything on fire you twat~

[Jonathan Gum]

Okay, that's not a real quick tip but people do it anyways.

Filmmaking wise; you always want to carry extra batteries, chargers, and extra mini DVs just in case anything goes wrong or you misplace something, and wear your headsets!

[Alasdair]

if you attach a chinstrap to your tiara, it won't fall off as easily

[zachmanZM]

If your using a clamp light in your light kit, add a spring clamp to help secure the light to it's stand.

[Alasdair]

by themselves, bleach is a powerful cleaning agent, so is ammonia. mix 'em up to get something really powerful for the really tricky stains!

[Jonathan Gum]

Acrylic paint dries fast, it can be good makeup especially if you want zombies

[Davo Tron]

Something I found out wonderfully today...

- "Clamp Lights" (or a UK variant of, in this case fitted with a 100W tungsten "soft" blub) could cause humming in your boom if you're shooting in an enclosed space. Bare this in mind if shooting dialogue. Thankfully I wasn't, the whole scene will more than likely be post atmos and foley, but always check before filming.

[Fisherking]

If there's any doubt at all, it will not fit up your butt.

[operationivy5656]

If there's any doubt at all, it will not fit up your butt.
my mom used to work at a hospital and a man had shoved a melon up his butt, im pretty sure it was a cantalope. I think your quick tip should be changed to "if theres any doubt at all, and its bigger than a cantalope, it will not fit up your butt"

[ConcorX]

If you are doing a greenscreen effect make sure to white balance your camera and get the settings right.Actually do this all the time but especially if doing a greenscreen effect.

[Skycarl]

by themselves, bleach is a powerful cleaning agent, so is ammonia. mix 'em up to get something really powerful for the really tricky stains!

And I believe very toxic. Kind of a decease as you degrease
formula.

[gonzo_entertainment]

by themselves, bleach is a powerful cleaning agent, so is ammonia. mix 'em up to get something really powerful for the really tricky stains!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bleach mixed with ammonia releases chlorine gas. Did you notice eyes burning, etc.... in large quantities this will KILL YOU! I saw it happen in a fast food place once. It cleared the joint out and sent 2 people to the hospital.

[gonzo_entertainment]

Okay, that's not a real quick tip but people do it anyways.

Filmmaking wise; you always want to carry extra batteries, chargers, and extra mini DVs just in case anything goes wrong or you misplace something, and wear your headsets!

Yes, put together a "grip kit".

Grip tape, batteries of all descriptions, fire extinguisher, clothes pins, extension cords, first aid kit, police tape, insect repellant, etc... etc...

[Fisherking]

Hmmm... it's almost enough to make me think that the local troll/science student knew in advance that ammonia/bleach was a nasty combination... no, couldn't possibly be.

[gonzo_entertainment]

Hmmm... it's almost enough to make me think that the local troll/science student knew in advance that ammonia/bleach was a nasty combination... no, couldn't possibly be.

It was a favorite of the Nazis, chlorine gas. It sears the inside of your lungs like mustard gas and you die because you can't breathe.

[Fisherking]

It was a favorite of the Nazis, chlorine gas.

Hmmm... That would explain this, then:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/AlasdairC/hitler.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/AlasdairC/hitler.jpg)

[Razback]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bleach mixed with ammonia releases chlorine gas. Did you notice eyes burning, etc.... in large quantities this will KILL YOU! I saw it happen in a fast food place once. It cleared the joint out and sent 2 people to the hospital.

Yes produce a very powerfull chemical reaction....not Adam,lol wich blow up chlorine gas,TOXIC

[xsanmdanx]

Hmmm... That would explain this, then:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/AlasdairC/hitler.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/AlasdairC/hitler.jpg)
Uh-oh... It's all part of the plan!

[Duplo]

eat bananas

[jpeenut]

Hmmm... That would explain this, then:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/AlasdairC/hitler.jpg (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b75/AlasdairC/hitler.jpg)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Oetam]

my mom used to work at a hospital and a man had shoved a melon up his butt, im pretty sure it was a cantalope. I think your quick tip should be changed to "if theres any doubt at all, and its bigger than a cantalope, it will not fit up your butt"

AHA

[LukBuk]

If you are doing a greenscreen effect make sure to white balance your camera and get the settings right.Actually do this all the time but especially if doing a greenscreen effect.
But what if your cam doesn't have white balance?

[zachmanZM]

But what if your cam doesn't have white balance?
Then you needn't be worrying, It's probably already set

[Balooga Studios]

Question here. Is there any concrete way to set your white balance?
ie. some color charts you can print off or something so that you know you're getting the best you can. I use an HV30, if that's any help.