Hellbender Media

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #155

by scrappy Jul 15, 2024

Science can save your skin!

If you can feel heat through your gloves, whatever you’re holding is hot enough that you want to find a way to put it down right now. It’s just going to get hotter. You don’t want that on your hands. Literally.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #143

by scrappy Jun 26, 2023

Certain tasks should never be randomly assigned.

If you have a pyrotechnical device, never leave the arming key in the firing system if you have to walk away from it… NO EXCEPTIONS. And yes, you have an arming key, the removal of which will make the effect impossible to trigger. Of course you do.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #104

by scrappy Oct 25, 2022

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.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #93

by scrappy Oct 6, 2021

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.

Production, Tip

Low-Budget Filmmaking Tip #48

by scrappy Jul 2, 2021

“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.