How to Make a Movie

 Steps

1. Decide if you want to create a narrative ("tell a story") film, a documentary (showing reality) or a compilation film (putting together vintage footage and/or photos).
2. Decide on a theme or plot. Making a film about something you know, is a good way to start. If you're excited and knowledgeable about the information or story, it will be apparent to your audience.
3. Write the script/screenplay. If you want to submit your script to a professional, screenplays need to be in a special formats. If you're simply filming the movie yourself you can write it like a play script. Your screenplay should detail every scene, all actions performed by the characters, the settings/locations, and when each scenes changes. Try using The Cynergy Script Writer. It does all of the work for you!
4. Make storyboards and a shot list from your script. Planning what shots you want to film will make the shoot go smoother.
5. Cast your film (Find actors). People in your community might work for screen credits in low budget films. Of course, it would be advantageous to have a well-known name starring in your movie.
6. Location Scout: find a place and decide on the time to shoot it! Home movies will be relatively spontaneous, but structured films should have a schedule so your cast and crew know when and where to gather.
7. If you can't find the right location you can create sets. You can use wood and paint for very simple set modifications. (If possible, using actual locations is easier. It's simplier to film in a diner than make a room look like one.)
8. Before your scheduled shoot, get (and test) your equipment. You will need a video camera and tripod, additional microphones, lighting equipment, and spare tapes/discs.
9. Film your movie. The shots you decide to take will make the difference between a "home movie" or a professional looking movie. Some people say to shoot multiple takes from multiple angles because it will be more interesting in the end. As a very general rule, professional filmmakers shoot each scene in a wide shot, medium shot and close up of important elements. And the type of shots they decide to take are determined by what feeling or emotion they are trying to convey.
10. Take your footage to your computer--upload the stuff you shot, and edit it. Cut out the boring parts, that's what movies are all about. Quick cuts, hold viewer's interest. Editing between various angles can quickly show multiple things going on in the same scene. Use your editing system's split or razor tool to create smaller clips from multiple shots, and then mix and match. You'll get the hang of it.
11. Add sound effect and music.
12. Create and ad titles and credits for your actors and crew. You can include a list of "thank yous" to any locations who were willing to let you shoot in their establishments.
13. Export to a digital format, or burn to a DVD

 

 Tips

• If you are bad at intros and conclusions, then think of the end first, and begin the movie in the same place, or vice-versa.
• Don't do fancy camera movements without additional equipment such as a Steadicam.
• Add music, but not illegally. In other words, you can put music in, but don't give out copies. Or else you have to use non-copyrighted material.
• Vary the shots for interest, but vary the type of shots, between wide, medium and close-up. Too many close-ups in a row is disorienting. Start with a wide Establishing Shot (so the audience knows where the action is taking place and what time of day, year or millenium it is), then vary medium and close-up shots. Keep strange point of view (POV) shots to a minimum unless you are trying to startle the viewer.
• Sound and lighting are very important: Good sound (easily understanding the person speaking without hearing the photographer breathing, or street noise, as example) is critical. Good lighting makes the video/movie watchable. Excellent "budget lighting" Dusk or early morning, a foggy or overcast day, and shade (but only when there is a darker background).
• Finally, about the "features" of the camera: Play with them all you want (zoom, whatever), then start shooting without zooming again.
• Panning (moving the camera side to side): don't. But if you must, pan in wide angle, and have a reason for the pan (follow a person walking through scene). End the pan on the object of the pan. If your pan is designed to show the Golden Gate bridge, that is then the reason for the pan. Don't pan back and forth.
• Tilting: Same as panning L to R or R to L, but up and down instead. Try to avoid it- but fine when used sparingly.
• When you finish your movie, share it with the world. If it is a serious work, bring it to film festivals where it might be picked up. If it is a small, casual work, host it on the internet for the world to view freely. They're both paths to different kinds of fame.
• Have a lawyer read over any contracts before you sign them. You might be signing away the rights to your movie.
• Don't try to make a *fancy* first person shooter scene as many do. It looks cheap and horrible.
• Make sure you're well prepared before shooting your movie, or its just going to use all your tapes.
• Make sure your video camera is charged up, ready to run.

 

 Warnings

• Don't steal ideas when writing the script.
• Make sure that when you cast it, the actors are committed to the work being a success.
• Don't put in jokes if you're not that funny. It could easily ruin the artistic aspect

 Things You'll Need

• A video camera.
• Tapes!
• Batteries--don't run out.
• A computer (both to type a script and to edit the footage)
• An editing system like Premiere, Pinnacle, Arcsoft Showbiz, Final Cut (Express or Pro), Avid, Windows Movie Maker (free with XP), or iMovie (free with Macs).
• Muvee Auto producer works, but it cuts out stuff without the user ordering that to happen.
• I would recommend strongly to get a wireless lavaliere "mic" for the person who you want to record.
• If it's an action flick,syrup.It works great as blood.
• Fake guns, preferably BB guns for action flicks.Wooden and plastic guns don't show good in a scene. Metal has a real good effect.
• A Sound effects CD. You can buy these online. It is very useful for imitating sound, without having to wait all day for the random sound to happen.
• Tripod or else your film will get wobbly and it looks horrible!
• Actors