indymogul's blog
Radio Controlled Camera Pod
By indymogul
Welcome to the build plans for Indy Mogul Episode 43: Radio controlled camera pod. I've always thought it would be cool to have a remote controlled camera mount that could tilt and pan. I got this idea to use remote control cars. I figured it would be EASY to convert the motion of the car's drive and steering assemblies to the precision movements of a camera controller. Boy was I wrong. First off the front steering motor did not have the gear box necessary to attach to anything useful. So now I needed 2 R/C cars instead of one. The biggest challenge then was slowing down the motors from their native rotation speed of 1,000-2,000 rpm's to just 3 or 4. The solution we FINALLY came to was 2 pronged. One was to attach a large disk t » READ MORE
How To: Make a Chainsaw Arm
By indymogul
Do you love the "Evil Dead" series on Indy Mogul? Do you need a prop chainsaw? Do you have $30 burning a hole in your pocket? If you said "yes" to any of these question you'll want to watch this episode. Erik of Indy Mogul shows you how to make a prop chainsaw arm that will have Deadites running for the hills.
Materials You Need:
1. Large Orange Juice Jug
2. 3 inch pvc cupler
3. thin aluminum sheet
4. old food container
5. thin wooden board
6. wooden dowel
7. miscellaneous hardware
8. bike chain
9. acrylic paint
Cut the large OJ jug in half (along the handle). Then cut off the handle.
Carefully bend the aluminum sheet metal along the contours of the jug.
Drill holes and bolt everything together.
On the inside of the base » READ MORE
Decapitaion Effect
By indymogul
There comes a time in every filmmaker's life when he needs to lop off a head. When I was a kid, I'd cut the camera and replace heads with basketballs, but this is Erik Beck of Indy Mogul we're taking out, so you know things are going to get messy. Cuddle up close to your styrofoam heads, jugs of fake blood, and stunt dummies, and enjoy. You'll need the effects from our Limb Tear, Fake Heads, and Blood Shooter episodes to do this one.
Cut the neck off of the Styrofoam head, and hollow out the head.
Make some fake skin out of some foam and liquid latex (we used a skin color). Attach this piece to the top of the neck, make sure it measures up to fit into the head (but do not connect them).
Cut out a hole through the neck, for the f » READ MORE
How To: Rip a Heart out of Someones Chest
By indymogul
If you've seen "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" 'you'll know one of the greatest special effects of the film is where Mola Ram rips the heart out of someone's chest. In this intstructable Indy Mogul shows you how to create the effect, with only $10. Don't forget to check out our previous episode on how to create a fake heart..
You Will Need:
1. old pillow
2. old plastic food container
3. aluminum foil
4. 16oz fake blood
5. Red Spray Paint
6. old shirt
7. duct tape
8. Hot Glue Gun
9. fake heart (or a potato)
In this episode we used a peeled potato for a heart. In a previous episode of Indy Mogul, we created a more using pumps and balloons. But this a good alternative.
Take the Potato and peel off all of the skin. Next shape the » READ MORE
How to make a Superhero costume
By indymogul
Hey everyone and welcome to the technical blog for Episode #18 (SuperHero) from IndyMogul. This week we were challenged by the guys over at The Stack. The deal is if I make an "animal themed superhero", Justin has to wear the costume for their entire show. Well BFX stepped up to the plate. Send in your superhero videos and remember you can submit your project ideas here!
Shopping List
- Two yards of cloth fleece.
(I used brown because my costume was squirrel themed, but you could get any color you want.) - A matching pair of thermal underwear.
(Tops and bottoms, the smaller the better. We want these to be like tights.) - One yard of cloth (a different color).
(This is used for the accent pieces on your suit. Like the underwear and chest » READ MORE
Indy Mogul: How to Build a Big F@%king Gun
By indymogul
How to make a big, f@%king gun from Indy Mogul
Hey, everyone, and welcome to Indy Mogul's technical blog for Episode #16 (BFG laser). Another awesome viewer submitted request. Send in your laser-filled videos and remember you can submit your project ideas here! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!
Shopping List
Plastic CD rack.
(This cheap, flimsy thing must have made a horrible CD raft, but it made an awesome frame for our blaster.)
Big and little water bottle.
(Check out the video, all these plastic water bottles have interesting textures and patterns.)
Two old plastic thermoses.
(Again, this very cheap, used piece of plastic has cool textures.)
A thermos cap.
(Or so I think. I saw this orange piece of plastic » READ MORE
How to Make a Fake Hand
By indymogul
Previously on Indy Mogul, we showed you how to make a fake head for your indie filmmaking needs. This week we have the recipe for a fake hand! We are always looking for new projects like these at Indy Mogul, so send in your ideas! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.
Shopping List
- 16 lbs. plaster of paris.
(8 lbs for the top half, 8 for the bottom. ) - BFX ballistics gel.
(Check out this Weekend Extra for more details.) - Liquid latex.
(In a flesh tone.) - Caulk.
(Does not need to be adhesive.) - Petroleum Jelly.
(As a de-molding agent. You could also use cooking spray.) - Duct tape.
(I'm going to stop listing this because you should always have some ready.) - A cardboard box.
(To add some "fleshyness" to the face.)
The mold
This » READ MORE
How to Make Fake Heads
By indymogul
Hey, everyone, and welcome to the technical blog for Indy Mogul's Episode#14 (fake heads).This build was a lot of fun and I hope you guys enjoy the episode. Send in your fake head videos and remember you can submit your project ideas here! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!
Shopping List
- Styrofoam head.
(Many different websites sell these, but the cheapest I found were at www.valuedisplay.com ) - Flesh colored spray paint.
(They don't actually make a "fleshtone" spray paint, so just get the one that looks closest to your actor's skin tone.) - Make-up kit
(Don't you people get it yet? Buy a simple make-up kit with some different flesh tones and reds.) - A wig.
(The foam heads come bald, So unless your actor is bald » READ MORE
How to Make a Rain Machine
By indymogul
How do you add instant drama to your scenes? Rain and sappy music of course. Using some wood, rope and a garden hose Erik shows you how to make a "Hollywood rain machine" for less then $50 bucks. Be sure to send in your Indie Filmmaking projects to Indy Mogul, and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!
How to make a rain machine
by Erik Beck
Hey everyone and welcome to the technical blog for Episode#13 (rain machine). All you people who wanted a cheap way to recreate good looking "movie rain" read below. The coolest thing about this project is you probably have a lot of the parts laying around the house. Remember you can submit your project ideas here!
Warning: I'm using power tools to build this project. Always have adult » READ MORE
How to Make Someone Look Beat-up
By indymogul
Hey everyone and welcome to the technical blog for Indy Mogul's Episode#12 (Beat-up). This is a pretty easy build compared to the Samurai Armor from last week. You can mix and match these techniques to create the "punching bag face" effect of your dreams. Keep all the cool project ideas coming. You can submit them to Indy Mogul here! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!
- Soft Nose Putty.
(You could use the regular stuff it will just be a pain.) - Make-up Kit.
(Get a decent 5 color kit. Flesh tones and reds and yellows.) - Spirit Gum.
(For sticking stuff together.) - Tooth Blackout.
(There is a wax based kind and a paint on kind. Both work fine.) - Some Fake Blood.
(I always have some corn syrup, red food » READ MORE
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