How To: Use a computer for zero budget special effects
For those who want to make zero budget films with special effects, there's only one way to go these days... with a computer. They may look like crap, but they're cheap!
Budget Friendly Search Results
How To: Make an eco friendly trap for fruit flies with apple cider vinegar
Fruit flies suck, but the fruit fly traps you can get from a hardware store can sometimes be environmentally damaging. Here is how you can make a safe fruit fly trap out of a votive glass, plastic wrap and apple cider vinegar.
How To: Wrap your holiday gifts using eco friendly materials
Keep your Christmas green! Don't resort to environmentally unfriendly wrapping paper. You can put your gifts in cloth bags or use catalog and magazine pages as your wrapping paper. Or, just use plain brown paper bags and decorate them as your wrapping paper!
How To: Make a DIY paper tray from compact discs for your home office
Your home office is missing something… hmm… maybe something to hold your recycled printer paper, and what better to hold your recycle paper than a recycled paper tray? Nextraker shows you a neat hack involving a few dust-collecting compact discs that will make a eco-friendly paper tray to organize your desk. It's a amazing what you can do with a few old CDs.
How To: Choose a compact fluorescent light bulb to save money
Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs, use about 75% less energy, give off 90% less heat, and last up to ten times longer than old-fashioned incandescents. Changing over is as easy as… well, screwing in a light bulb. This eco-friendly tip will save you some money & save electricity.
How To: Make drink coasters out of old magazines
Watch this video tutorial to find out how to turn unwanted magazines into practical, creative drink coasters. These coasters last surprisingly long and are easy to make! This crafty project is eco-friendly, and reduces waste in your home. Check out this how-to video and find out a way to recycle old magazines into coasters.
How To: Reduce waste from plastic bags
Here is the real answer to the question: Paper or plastic? Join your friendly neighbor for a fireside chat about plastic bags and how Americans consume 380 billion of them a year. If you don't need a bag, don't take one. You can use fabric bags and reuse them over and over again. You can also reuse plastic bags for trash can liners, doggy bags, etc.
How To: Build a green doghouse with recycled materials
You can save money and the environment by building a pet house out of eco-friendly materials. The doghouse in this how to video is built on the same green principles as a human home. Watch and learn how easy it is use recycled materials for your dog's house.
How To: Make a homemade eco-friendly air conditioning
Fans do a pretty good job of cooling you down in the summer but sometimes only an air conditioning can do the job right. In this tutorial, SuChin Pak and Daniel Sieberg demonstrate how to make a homemade air conditioning system with a fan, coil and ice water. Save the environment while staying cool in the summer with this DIY air conditioning.
How To: Use a composting toilet
The regular toilet is a huge waste of water, and those low flow toilets don't always get rid of your "business." The Keep it Green girls discover an eco-friendly way to discard human waste and create compost for your garden. Learn how to turn your waste into compost with the composting toilet.
How To: Get rid of mice the friendly way
The unexpected visit you get from a mouse probably makes your skin crawl, but you might not feel comfortable killing these unwanted guests. Learn easy and organic tricks for preventing, repelling, and removing mice from your home, the humane way.
How To: Insulate your electrical outlets and conserve energy
Every wall switch and outlet on an outside wall is a hole in your wall. Here's how to insulate them while conserving energy and being eco-friendly.
How To: Make high-quality home music recordings on a shoestring budget
If you're a musician, but can't cover the cost of an expensive recording studio to get your song onto a playable media, then this video is what you need. It will show you how to make your own high-quality home music recording studio on a shoestring budget! If you're trying to get the attention of big music record labels, you need some hgih-quality sounds, but you don't need the high-quality costs! The setup is pretty simple— a microphone, MP3 player, sound mixer, headphones and a good-quality...
How To: Create a simple low budget shoulder mount for a DSLR camera and accessories
Wow. Forget about buying an expensive pro-style digital camcorder. You can make your DSLR camera into a moviemaker camera with a simple DIY shoulder mount. The goal of this video is to give you a way to create a low budget way of mounting your camera and necessary gear onto a cheap shoulder mount. It works really well. See for yourself!
How To: Make budget summary tables that add by month in Excel
New to Microsoft Excel? Looking for a tip? How about a tip so mind-blowingly useful as to qualify as a magic trick? You're in luck. In this MS Excel tutorial from ExcelIsFun, the 642nd installment in their series of digital spreadsheet magic tricks, you'll learn how to create a budget summary table that adds by month and payee. See the benefits and drawbacks of the SUMIFS & EOMONTH functions method or the PivotTable method. Also learn about the Excel Table feature for adding dynamic ranges.
How To: Make a digital pinhole camera on a budget
In this video you learn how to make a digital pinhole camera. The video begins with an introduction addressing the main themes to be dealt with in the video - tight budgets, photography and specialized lenses. In this video, Kai modifies a photo lens cap by poking a large hole in it. After making this large hole, he makes a smaller hole in a thinner material and lines the hole up in the center. He calculates the size of the hole he needs based on the wavelength he will be photographing. He us...
How To: Make Santa suit candle votives for Christmas decor
Debra Hardy provides detailed instructions on how to make darling decorative Santa soy votive candles in this video. She first cuts the red felt into 6 3/4 inch by 2 inch strips for the Santa suit, wraps it around and adheres it to the bottom of the glass votive. Next, she secures a smaller strip of the white faux fur on top of the red felt also towards the bottom of the candle to create the bottom of Santa's jacket. Debra then instructs the viewer to cut a 6 3/4 inch by 1/4 inch black felt s...
How To: Light an interior space while filming on a budget
In this video from FiveSprockets we learn how to light an interior space while filming on a budget. For this you need two Chinese lanterns which he found for $2.95 each. You need 2 light bulbs which he found for $3.95 each. Make sure you get extra ones. Then get a couple of pan lights. They are day light and mood light. They were $7 and $5. You also need a multi colored gel pack which is $6.00. He uses C-stands to hold the lights up but he suggests coming up with other ways if you don't have ...
How To: Avoid credit card debt
Living within your means can be done. You don't want to be a slave to the credit card company, do you? Learn what to do to stay out of credit card debt. This how to video will give you the tips. Credit card debt is a slippery slope.
How To: Make a beautiful 3D composite using only an iPhone, Panorama 360 and Cinema 4D
Having the latest and greatest professional equipment isn't always possible on a limited budget. Using only ingenuity and available equipment of his iPhone, Panorama 360 and Cinema 4D, Nick from Greyscale Gorilla shows exactly how it is possible to create a stunning, professional quality 3D composite.
How To: Storyboard, make a shot list, line your script, and schedule a film production
Measure twice cut once applies to filmmaking as well as construction or any other complex process really, and that's why preproduction is they key to actually finishing your film on time and budget. This video will help you with several preproduction tasks, including storyboarding, making a shot list, lining / timing your script, and scheduling the actual production of the film.
How To: Build a robotic articulated hand prop for your film
If you loved the look of the robot hand from the Terminator movies, or the look of Hell Boys hand of doom, then you probably really want to be able to have one in your movie! In this video you will learn how to make a robotic hand on a low budget with moveable fingers using some pupeteering techniques.
How To: Build an inexpensive camera dolly
Looking to create slow moving and motion shots with your camera on a stable surface on a low budget? Try building your own skater dolly! In this video you will learn the entire process of building your own inexpensive dolly that will allow you to create fantastic motion shots.
How To: Shoot in a film noir setting
Film Noir, or black film, is a type of film that can easily be attributed to classics such as the Humphery Boggart films of old (Maltese Falcon, King of the Underworld, ect.). If you're looking on how to create the effect yourself without a big budget, check out this video! John Hess gives you some basic tips to creating the effect with lighting and more!
How To: Make a talking animals effect using After Effects
A LOT of movies have featured talking animals. Especially now that the technology is readily available to even low-budget filmmakers to make animals appear to be talking very realistically. If you've wanted to make your own talking-animal film, this video is here to help. It wills show you how to make animals talk using After Effects, creating and syncing mouth movements to fit your sound and leaving you with one charismatic cat, dog, fish, or marmoset.
How To: Build a pro level steadicam for $14
Steadicam is important in filmmaking and can help you get the perfect shot. If you are a budding filmmaker and don't have the cash to shell out for a professionally made model, check out this video.
How To: Create the Indiana Jones budget crystal skull
This is an Indiana Jones special that shows you how to make your very own crystal skull. You can't miss this episode! Erik dressed as professor Indy, test film by Waverly Films, and much more!
How To: Prepare for your first professional film shoot
In this episode, Steve shares some knowledge he's gained through working on no-budget movies to help keep production smooth and professional. With hits from Jared like "How to Properly Clean Your Lens the Night Before a Shoot", this episode is sure to hit #1 on the Billboard Charts for podcasts! What? Billboard doesn't chart podcasts!?!
How To: Create a realistic knife throw effect for your film
This week, Erik shows you how to create the awesome effect of throwing a knife into a person's head! This effect is used in big budget movies like the "Matrix" and we're going to show you how to do it for less then twenty dollars!
How To: Make your own vampire fangs
Scare the crap out of your folks with this one. Or scare the crap out of your audience if you're making a low budget film, because these suckers will impress. Realistic vampire fangs! You can't beat them.
How To: Make stencil wall art
Learn how to make wall art that will spruce up your home while keeping a low budget. Pink of Perfection has provided this great horse stencil for you to use, but be creative! The great thing about stencil art is the freedom of using different designs or making your own.
News: Samsung Is Bringing the Galaxy A6 to the US — Budget Phone with a Flagship Screen
Samsung makes more than just the Galaxy S and Note series. With a large portion of the world not able to afford phones with flagship specs, Samsung makes several different series that focus on price. The latest is the Galaxy A6, a budget option with a flagship feature.
How To: Plan bathroom renovations on a budget
Times are tight, but no one deserves to stare at an old, fugly bathroom day after day. If you simply can't stand the hot pink paint the previous owners left on the walls anymore or your linoleum floor is falling apart, check out this video to learn how to plan bathroom renovations wisely and on a budget.
How To: Put together a cooking kit & canteen on a budget
In this tutorial, we learn how to put together a cooking kit and canteen on a budget. To make a cheap pouch, you can take a pair of pants and cut the leg off. Then, sew one end completely and sew the other as a drawstring. To pack your kit, make sure you have an absorbent towel to help with everyday things. Also, make sure you have a cooking kit, which can be made by an empty coffee can, water bottle, empty soup can, utensils, and water bottle. The last things to include in your pouch are a p...
How To: Create an exotic Arabian makeup look on a budget
Are you sick of all those tutorials that are packed with expensive products? Well, you're in luck! In this video, learn how to make an exotic Arabian style with budget makeup. Just because it's from a drugstore doesn't mean it isn't gorgeous! So, gather what you have and save some cash and get started with this exotic makeup style. You will definitely impress anyone you meet and no one will even tell the difference!
How To: Make a delicious alfredo sauce on a student budget
This video helps you make a delicious Alfredo sauce on a student budget. Melt the butter in a pan over low heat and add minced garlic to it. Before the garlic turns brown, add 30% cream to it and mix properly. Now, add parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to it. If your sauce gets too thick, add some more cream to it, or if the sauce is thin, add more cheese. Simmer for a while and taste test it. Add some salt and pepper if necessary. Make sure your Alfredo sauce recipe is creamy.
How To: Wrap gifts the eco-friendly way with recycled materials
We realize Christmas is over, but there's no reason you shouldn't surprise a friend with a pretty gift for New Year's Eve! In many other cultures friends and family give each other presents to celebrate their new year, including during Chinese New Year.
How To: Cook delicious earth friendly trout
In this tutorial, we learn how to cook delicious earth friendly trout. First, throw 4 tbsp butter in a saucepan and then juice 2 tbsp lemon juice. From here, grab some fresh chopped Italian parsley. Once the butter is a golden brown color, it will be finished melting. After this, you will turn the heat off and then take 1/2 tsp and spread it on your boneless rainbow trout. Then, sprinkle on salt and pepper and place under a preheated hot broiler for a couple of minutes. Trout cooks very fast,...
How To: Clear your drain with eco-friendly white vinegar
A clogged drain makes an unhappy cook. But unfortunately drains get clogged far too easily and often. And while pouring down a drain de-clogger can work, the very toxic chemicals in the de-clogger are damaging to your health and to the environment.
How To: Make a one-eyed friendly foam monster with the kids
Every kids loves monsters, and they'll love them even more when they can make their own. This crafty idea is perfect for pushing your children into creativity, because it evokes the inner demons of us all, and brings out highly imaginative properties. Have fun with your kids, teaching them how to make this one-eyed friendly foam monster. You'll need: