TUTORIAL: DIY Cookies / Cucoloris

Cookies, or cucoloris, are a great addition to any filmmaker or video producer's kit. They're great for shaping light and casting dynamic or dramatic shadows. Wooden versions retail for upwards of $80 online, but for around $12 we're going to make a set of our own.
Materials you'll need:
2x 20x30" black foam board
box cutter / xacto knife
ruler / square
Learning to use these well takes some time and practice, but there are some tips in the video to help you get started. If you've got any tips or tricks for using cookies share them with us below!
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[@edwardleefilms]

This video is so simple and to the point. No fluff. Thank you so much!

[@DroiMedia]

Happy to help!

[@ashtonhealan]

I made one myself, thank you for the DIY. This is going to dramatically improve my lighting for my shoot this weekend!

[@DroiMedia]

So cool! If you're comfortable share a picture on social media and tag us in it! We'd love to see it!

[@julianwrigley8531]

Great tutorial! Fantastic simple instructions for my junior high school photography class! Brilliant stuff!

[@DroiMedia]

Awesome! Would love to see (and share) some pics of these in action if you're comfortable with that.

[@rlb1388]

Great job. You've helped me a lot

[@creaturespictures880]

You really need to take your time with those and experiment! I made mine for free with what I had at home, 2 layers of cardboard surrounded by black tape or gaffer that you could find at a dollar store. I tried it tonight it looked really cool! it's not about the gear, it's about your imagination! :) Thanks for sharing your tips!

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a comment 🤗

[@TheFilmLook]

Loved your transitions in this video :D definitely gonna be making some of these!

[@DroiMedia]

+The Film Look thanks guys! I always feel that way when I watch your stuff too, so I figured I'd try and keep up the status quo! :)

[@SwedishFilmmaker]

Really great video! Informative, good length and it got me inspired right away :)

[@DroiMedia]

+Standard Film Team thanks! Good to know! :D

[@hosna9536]

thank god i found your video!! i would have failed my theater class if i hadn't come across you video!

[@DroiMedia]

Awesome! Glad I could help, send us some pics of them in action (if you're comfortable) 😁😊

[@tubekane]

Great information, thank you for this. I think I will be making cookies this weekend.

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks for watching, Dennis! Happy DIYing!

[@DroiMedia]

Dennis, you get around to making any cookies this weekend?!

[@gabrielbarboza6109]

Great tips!

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks!

[@videolaricin8634]

great video men! thank you!

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks! 😊

[@jappieklikklak5111]

Thank you, I made one

[@antoniok2k]

PERFECT! THANKS!

[@DroiMedia]

Happy to help!

[@ericcosh]

Very nice. Another very popular cookie effect is to use an old metal vent that has the slates. You can pick up a new one at home depot for like $15. I prefer the ones that are smaller like a 12” by 8”.

[@DroiMedia]

Awesome idea! I should compile a list of these alternatives someday....

[@anilkapahi8788]

Pretty good but a little bit about hard and soft light and how that effects the "transitional edges" of what you are projecting would have been helpful. To put it simply, the light source that you use makes a big difference in what gets projected. A harder light source, like tungsten with a fresnel, will give you look very different look then a strobe.

[@captain_giacco]

Great video!

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks! :) :) :)

[@KeeperOfKale222]

Good stuff 👍🏻

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks!

[@Scaryladyvideos]

Thank you! This will be great to use in a Halloween haunt.

[@DroiMedia]

Love that idea! 😁👻

[@mchampag]

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I wonder if two or three of the blobby ones would start to resemble the dapplage on a forest floor? Of course, one would have to account for the absence of wind... Cheers!

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks for watching! :D they absolutely could mimic (very well) a dappled forest floor. I prefer to just cut down a few small branches and have a PA wriggle them around haha

[@bulicuello]

Good job dude! Keep it up :)

[@DroiMedia]

+Juan Ignacio Cuello thanks so much! I'll do my best!

[@LanzaroteShowcase]

This is cool.

[@DroiMedia]

Many thanks! :)

[@MexicanMovie]

New subscriber, greetings from Central Illinois ! I'm about to start loading up some of my work on youtube as well. I was just reading "Painting with Light" by John Alton and thought i could actually use some cookies and here i am........ great video, thanks !!!

[@DroiMedia]

Hey! Where in central IL? I was in Normal for about 15 yrs, moved to Champaign recently though. And thanks for the sub!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MexicanMovie]

@@DroiMedia Fairview Heights, just east of St. Louis.

[@azlanarainkhan4549]

Good knowledge

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks!! 😊😊😊

[@pingkytitus]

Thank u, helpful

[@DroiMedia]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@frankyfourfilms707]

Wow

[@createscifi]

very helpful

[@DroiMedia]

+createscifi thanks!

[@DodaGarcia]

Ive been lighting my videos with a very basic 3 point setup for a while now and just started to realize it can look pretty stale and unmotivated, so now that I got a spotlight I'm going to try and use cookies to create a permanent sunset look instead, or something neon-y and dramatic that looks more interesting than just "hey look how competently lit my face is"!

[@DroiMedia]

Awesome! Share some shots or setups or screengrabs when you're done :)

[@L.Spencer]

Those real cookies at the beginning didn't look so hot. 🍪🍪 Can't wait to make my own fake cookies, though.

[@jordangoebig]

Needed more cookies :)

[@DroiMedia]

+Jordan Goebig I ate them all during the rehearsal :/

[@parisghassemian7276]

Amazing! Thanks so much for this, quick question: would you need to alter the cookies at all to create more sharp and crisp shadows? Or does that have to do mainly with placement?

[@DroiMedia]

Mostly, if not entirely, has to do with placement and light intensity/hardness. Harder light = harder shadows. Cookie closer to wall = harder shadows.

[@parisghassemian7276]

Great, thanks so much! Subscribing for sure :) @@DroiMedia

[@DroiMedia]

@@parisghassemian7276 glad to hear! Thanks for watching, and let us know if you have any more questions!

[@BadKarma714]

Good video i am your 400th like 👍

[@DroiMedia]

Sweet!

[@BadKarma714]

@@DroiMedia I am as we speak making my own Cookies for a short film i am doing i am making the mini blind one when I get some more Foam board I will make some more I enjoy your DIY videos I am 46 and live in Southern California if your ever in the area I would like to meet you one day

[@DroiMedia]

@@BadKarma714 sweet man, be sure to share a link with the short film or some BTS photos when you're done, would love to see them! and I'll let you know next time I'm in your neck of the woods!

[@BadKarma714]

@@DroiMedia for sure I will send both link and BTS Photos

[@BadKarma714]

For some reason your Instagram link in the discrption did not work when I hit on I am on my Android phone I don't know of it's the back slash or not.

[@rodicadraws]

👍

[@DroiMedia]

:D

[@carlomarchi8611]

since those are DIY gobo, i'm wondering if it is possibile to achieve a more precise edge of shadow?

[@DroiMedia]

Carlo, you should be able to get very precise shadows if you want. (it's not entirely dependent on the gobo - depends on the hardness of the light and the distances between the light, the pattern/cutout, and the wall or projected area. The window ones we usually try and make a little more precise than those funky kidney-bean shaped ones, but just because you see that pattern defined clearly in real life.) Thanks for watching!

[@hiptoalieu]

FANTASTIC VIDEO, Can you make them smaller???

[@DroiMedia]

Hi and thanks!! Yes, absolutely, no real issue with making them smaller to fit whatever your needs are!

[@DanielTuriman]

Thank you, i want the video from this diy gobos

[@DroiMedia]

You want me to make one for those?

[@DanielTuriman]

@@DroiMedia no, i means, your project video that you shooting using this diy gobos

[@DroiMedia]

Ohhh gotcha, what you saw in the video was just a test, I use these for backgrounds in my testimonial / interview setups all the time though!

[@thebombefilms]

What sort of stand/grip are you using? It was a blink and you'll miss it mention and this isn't my area. Thanks

[@DroiMedia]

Heya! All my traditional light stands are the Impact brand ones from B&H, I have a variety from 6' to like 9'. The grip head is also just a standard Impact brand one from B&H. Hope that helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

[@S9universe]

effective

[@DroiMedia]

Thanks!

[@S9universe]

@@DroiMedia you're welcome

[@funnystuffproductionsnewof511]

What kind of light did you use to project?

[@DroiMedia]

Came TV Boltzen 55W LED lights - I use them for everything :)

[@acesofgambit]

Do it works on flash or strobes?

[@DroiMedia]

I don't see why it wouldn't 😊

[@Luxuryy.g]

Hey would does the board have to be black?

[@DroiMedia]

Not at all, you could make it white / silver to increase the light output towards the front - I just thought it looked cool 😎

[@adilsheikh3480]

How did u attach the cookie with the clamp and grip head.. Where can I find these products?

[@DroiMedia]

Heya! I just clamped the arm of the quacker clamp into the grip head. As for the products I think there are links below the video, or you can buy all of them at most big box hardware stores (in the US).

[@adilsheikh3480]

@@DroiMedia am not in USA :)

[@DroiMedia]

Hmmm.... maybe online somewhere?

[@ysaaranda8854]

can i put this in front of a strobe light?

[@DroiMedia]

Great question - and YES!

[@gishmagazine1670]

Foam board is the same as Sintra board right?

[@DroiMedia]

Maybe? Never heard of Sintra board - got any more info on them???

[@nicksouthorn1248]

The proper name is gobo

[@DroiMedia]

They are called that too! :)