Band-Aids don’t always work.
There’s a reason ordinary people don’t do explosive squibs all the time — because it’s so easy to screw up.
(more…)Tag: effects
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #151
…or change Time and Space.
No matter how cool the makeup effects are, find out how long they take to apply and how long they last under hot lights. Factor that into your schedule.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #150
Radio-controlled is just askin’ for trouble, though.
If you’re going to use a puppet or build a model to be manipulated with strings or wires, make the strings removable at the model or puppet, so that if you’re doing a shot that doesn’t need this or that wire, you can physically remove it.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #134
Sometimes all of the above.
For certain types of shots, recognize when more is better and communicate that to your crew. For example, more gore, more blood, more vomit, more air coming out of the wind machine.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #104
You really need those fingers.
It is okay to call a halt if you don’t feel a pyro or other effect is safe, or you suddenly see something that looks very wrong. It may screw up the shot, but wasting time or money is far preferable to wasting lives.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #93
Bang!
If an effect demonstration is going to make noise, warn people ahead of time so they don’t freak out and think something’s gone wrong. Freaking out should be avoided.
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Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #48
“Sudden Massive Tissue Loss” +100 points!
When loading shells in a mortar, try to drop them in with your non-dominant hand (if you’re right-handed, drop with the left hand). That way, if you experience Sudden Massive Tissue Loss, you still have your favorite hand.
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