Practical Physics
This website is for teachers of physics in schools and colleges. It is a collection of experiments that demonstrate a wide range of physical concepts and processes. Some of the experiments can be used as starting-points for investigations or for enhancement activities. Many have links to carefully selected further reading and all include information and guidance for technicians. Physics is a practical science. Practical activities are not just motivational and fun: they can also sharpen students’ powers of observation, stimulate questions, and help develop new understanding and vocabulary.
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5 Skills That Will Make You a More Valuable Filmmaker
There are tons of skills that will make you a better filmmaker, but have found these 5 skills to be invaluable. Here are 5 skills that I like to see in filmmakers I hire or 5 skills he/she is willing to develop. Watch the video above to see all 5 tips and read the conclusion below to see the payoff of mastering these skills.
Rock Candy - 3 Tips for Growing Sugar Crystals Video
Grow your own sugar crystals at home with this easy DIY chemistry experiment that's perfect for kids. Gather the few, simple ingredients and start experimenting today.See Transcript Hi, growing sugar crystals is a fun experiment, but it can be tough, so here are some tips to make sure your sugar crystals grow nice and big. A Simple Recipe As with any crystal growing project, it is important to make sure your solution is at adequate saturation levels. A good recipe for a crystal-growing solution is three parts sugar and 1 part water.
Reflective Surfaces Can Ruin Your Shots. Here Are Some Quick Fixes
"Reflective surfaces are a pain in the ass," said every filmmaker ever. Say you've just canned a glorious tracking shot. When you go to review the footage, however, you're dismayed to find out that you tracked past three windows, and in every single one of them you can see the dolly and camera crew, the boom operator, and some PA holding coffee that is wandering around like a lost puppy. Almost every filmmaker I know has dealt with this problem in some form or another, and it's one that every up and coming filmmaker will encounter at some point in their lives.
How to Light & Shoot a Seamless White Background from Start to Finish
A seamless background can make your project look like a million bucks, but lighting one can be a little tricky if you don't know where to start. Zach Arias offers up this lighting tutorial on DEDPXL to show you how to light for a seamless white, black, grey (virtually any color, really) background. If you're a stickler for details like me, one thing you'll appreciate is the utter thoroughness of the lesson. Arias breaks down not only the hows, but the whys behind every creative and technical decision he makes on his set. Check out Part 1 below.
A Cheap & Easy Way to Create a Professional-Looking Infinite Black Backdrop
Here's a cheap, simple, and professional-looking technique to add to your arsenal -- the infinite black background. Because its visuals add a level of surrealism and style, we've seen this used in music videos, dream sequences in narrative films, art films, you name it -- and chances are if you're not wondering how to pull it off, it's because your curiosity has already led you to find the answer. Filmmaker Lewis McGregor shares his insight into how to create this effect inexpensively and simply by using black material, three lights, and editing software. (No need for a huge soundstage!)
3 Isn't a Crowd, but You Can Make It Look Like It Is with These Cinematography Tricks
What do wild parties, college lectures, massive armies, and zombie hordes have in common? If you're a filmmaker, they all require a ton of extras. But not everyone has a big enough budget or network to acquire them, which can be pretty stressful considering that at some point in your filmmaking journey, you're going to want/need to shoot a scene that requires a crowd.
Learn How to Build a Good DIY Rain Machine for $15 (& a Great One for $60)
If your scene is calling for rain, don't wait for Mother Nature to get her act together. You can create your own rain and not spend a ton of money to do it. Here's a tutorial by Tom Antos that shows you how to construct two different rain machines: a $15 rig made out of a flat sprinkler hose and a sturdier $60 to $70 rig made out of PVC pipe. Before you get too far into making either of these rigs, here are a few things you should know. First of all, movie rain is not like real rain. Real rain tends to be more sparse with smaller droplets and tends to not show up on-camera.
How Color-Coded Notes Make You A More Efficient Thinker
It's a tall order to take physical notes on actual paper with a real pen. Most people I know don't do it, despite the clear benefits . It's more stuff to lug around, while your ever-ready phone offers literally hundreds of apps for speaking, writing, drawing, and syncing notes.
