HOE TO MAKE MOVIE

Steps

1. 1
   Come up with an idea for a story. Because most movies are essentially visual stories, the first step is coming up with an idea that you want to turn into a movie. You don't have to have the whole plot set in stone, but you should have a basic idea of the premise of the movie. Here are some tips to get you started.
   • Think about the movies you like to watch, or the books you like to read, and look into what makes them so interesting. Is it the characters, the action, the visuals, or the theme? Whatever it is, keep that element in mind and try to make it one of your movie's strengths.
   • What's your favorite kind of movie? If, for instance, you watch a lot of action films, then you're probably more capable of filming in that genre than in something totally different, like historical period pieces. If you already know the basics of how one genre works, because it's the one you watch all the time, then try making that kind of movie for your first project - you'll be a lot less likely to get frustrated during filming.
   • Make a movie you'd like to watch. The key to staying interested in any artistic project is creating something that you'd want to see. Think about the perfect movie for you to watch, and make it.
   • Do not jump right into filming the movie. You must take time with the preproduction process, or else your storyline or plot will be weak. Make sure you think out your budget and all other factors of this film that will need to be looked over. If you do jump into the filming straight away, you may not be prepared, and you movie will fail. The best way for making a film is to spend a certain amount of time creating and expanding your idea.
   • Your movie doesn't have to be fictional. Even if you want to do a documentary, the process starts with an idea or question. Think about the topics you're interested in, or a burning question you've always had, and explore that. (The process of filming a documentary is a bit different than doing a fictional movie - see Tips for more information.)
2. 2
   Expand your idea. Once you've settled on a basic premise, start adding onto it. Think about the film as three pieces: beginning, middle and end. When that's sorted out, cut the potential narrative into even smaller pieces - for instance, thinking about the beginning, middle and end of the larger beginning section. Keep working your story into smaller and smaller segments, until you have a good idea of what's going to happen scene-by-scene.
   • If you want to translate this into a screenplay, see the More Information section below.
   • Some filmmakers move from this step to storyboarding, or drawing out sketches of what they want the shots to look like. This process makes a long film go more smoothly. You can do this if you want to, or you can try shooting without it.
3. 3
   Develop an aesthetic for your film. Because movies are visual, it's a good idea to spend some time on the "look and feel" of what you want for the final product. Here are some areas to consider:
   • Shooting style: Do you want your film to feature smooth, expertly-edited shots, or a rough, handheld camera look? Or maybe even something in between?
   • Costume design: A lot of films rely on the costumes to communicate essential character traits to the viewer (such as an evil character wearing black or red, or a nice girl dressed in white).
   • Set design: How do you want the setting of your film to look? Can you film it in a real location, or will you have to build a set?
   • Lighting: Some movies feature soft, radiant lighting that makes the actors and the sets look significantly more appealing; others favor a harsh style of lighting that looks closer to reality. Think about what would best fit your movie.
4. 4
   Assemble a crew. Your crew will help you translate your vision into a film. These are a few positions to consider:
   • Director: The director controls the creative aspect of the movie, and is a key liaison between the crew and the cast. If this is your movie and your story idea, the director is probably you.
   • Cinematographer, or director of photography: This person is in charge of making sure the lighting and actual filming of the movie go smoothly, as well as deciding how each shot should be framed. He or she manages the lighting and camera crews (or is the lighting and camera crew, on a smaller film).
   • Casting director: The casting director decides which actors are best suited for the film, as well as negotiating contracts and schedules.
   • Set designer: This person is in charge of making sure the sets correspond with the director's creative vision. He or she might also be the props master (in charge of the items that fill the set).
   • Camera operator: The camera operator does the actual shooting of the movie, working with the cameras. On a small production, this person could also be the cinematographer or the director.
   • Costume designer: On a large production, this person would choose (and maybe even sew) every costume used in the film. On smaller productions, this position is usually merged with another job.
   • Hair and makeup artist: As the name implies, this person is in charge of getting the actors into the right hairstyles and makeup for each scene. On a small production, this position might not even exist.
   • Script supervisor: The script supervisor is charged with making sure the actors stay on script, and that the continuity of the film is maintained. He or she might also record the production's daily progress working through the screenplay. On a smaller production, this might be merged with another position.
   • Film editor: Once production has wrapped, the editor takes all the shots and combines them into the final product, keeping some takes and cutting others. On a smaller movie, the director might handle editing.
5. 5
   Cast your film. 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.
   • Test the range of your actors. If you know that one of them will have to cry in a sad scene, make sure he or she can do it before you contract for the project.
   • Avoid scheduling conflicts. Make sure your actors can be available on-set when you need them.
6. 6
   Dress the sets, or scout a location. If you're going to shoot on-location, find the area you want and make sure it's available for filming. If you're working on a set, start building and "dressing" (or adding props) them.
   • If possible, using actual locations is easier. It's simpler to film in a diner than make a room look like one.
7. 7
   Gather and test your equipment. At the very least, you'll need a video camera. You might also need a tripod, lighting equipment, and sound equipment.
8. 8
   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. Also, the type of shots they decide to take are determined by what feeling or emotion they are trying to convey.
9. 9
   Edit your film. Take your footage to your computer - upload the photos/production you shot, and edit it. Cut out the boring parts. Make quick cuts and hold the 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 pretty fast. For Windows use Windows Movie Maker; for a Mac, use iMovie.
10. 10
    Add sound effects and music. Make sure that your music flows with what is going on during the movie at that second. Music gives the movie an emotional stance. It changes the audience's emotions which give them a more positive view on your film. You can vary your music, to make the audience feel happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, etc.
11. 11
    Create the title and credits sequences. You'll want to name your cast and crew at the end of the film. You can also include a list of "thank you"s to any organizations that were willing to let you shoot in their establishments.
12. 12
    Export the film to a digital format DVD.
13. 13
    Make a teaser or trailer (optional). If you want to promote your film online or in other theaters, select pieces of it for a promotional trailer. Don't give away too much of the plot, but do try to catch the viewer's interest.

More Information

Here's a list of more detailed wikiHow articles that can help you make a movie.

1. 1
   Make your movie idea into a script. Skip hiring another writer to do it for you.
2. 2
   Storyboard your film. It will make shooting a lot easier.
3. 3
   Make a movie on the cheap. Don't have much of a budget? This article can help.
4. 4
   Give credit where credit is due. Here's how to add a credit sequence to your film.
5. 5
   Build your own sets. This article can walk you through each step.
6. 6
   Make a silent movie. Don't want to spend time or money on audio equipment and dialogue? This is the way to go.
7. 7
   Make your movie in a week. Short on time? Use this article's day-by-day schedule.
8. 8
   Make an animated movie. Are your ideas to creative to be captured in real life? Try animation instead.
9. 9
   Check out this page for more ideas. The possibilities are endless!

Edit Tips

• If you're shooting a documentary, you probably won't spend time developing a script or storyboarding. Instead, come up with an idea, set out to capture as much footage as you can, and focus on the editing and other post-production processes (such as adding music).
• Before shooting a scene, make sure that your video camera is charged up and is ready to run. Having a spare battery is a good idea.
• Add music, but not illegally. In other words, you can put music in, but don't give out copies. If you do, you will have to use non-copyrighted material or contact someone to get permission.No matter where you are there is always independent musicians that would love to have their songs in your movie.
• Sound and lighting are very important: Good sound (easily understanding the person speaking without hearing the photographer breathing, or street noise, for example) is critical. Good lighting makes the video/movie watchable. Excellent "budget lighting" includes: Dusk or early morning, a foggy or overcast day, and shade (but only when there is a darker background.) A white poster board can be used to bounce light to the shaded side of the face
• Here are a few camera pointers to consider:
  • 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 millennium 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.
  • Panning (moving the camera side to side) isn't advised. But if you must, pan in wide angle, and have a reason for the pan (follow a person walking through scene or pan to what the actor on screen is looking at). 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.
  • Try to avoid filming a movie in first-person. These movies end up looking cheap and usually don't have much of a hit with the audience. Remember, this is a movie, not a video game.
  • Try to avoid tilting the camera, or do it sparingly.
  • Don't do fancy camera movements without additional equipment such as a Steadicam.
  • Try establishing shots. You can also, if allowed, stand on a building in a city and video the whole city, but the establishing shot does not have to be of a city it can be a building, sign or anything that establishes the location. This is known as an establishing shot. It will help if you're doing a video about crime or something.
• Make sure all of the cast know their cues and when a scene is being filmed, so they do not step into a shot unnecessarily.
• 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.
• If you are using your friends as actors, be sure to have everything planned out. This way no one's time is wasted sitting around and getting nothing done.
• A movie's character is very based on the movement of the camera. If you want a horror film or a violent film, we advise that you use an HD handheld and shake, no DVX. A DVX is usually used for a smooth, dialogue film.

Edit Warnings

• Don't steal ideas when writing the script. Make sure the ideas are all your own and as original as possible.You do not have the budget that Hollywood does so the only way you can stand out is be unique.
• Make sure that when you cast your actors, they are all committed to the work being a success. Otherwise, an actor who is not willing to cooperate might jeopardize the outcome of the film. Also, make sure you chose the right actors who fit the roles, as this would create a huge impact on the film's end result. Treat your actors with respect, as any negative air or tension would certainly affect the filming process.
• Don't put in jokes if they are not necessary, or if they are in bad taste. It could easily ruin the artistic aspect.
• If filming in an actual location that does not belong to you, such as a diner, ask the owner or a worker/manager for permission first. This would ensure that things are being done legally, the proper procedure is being followed, and to avoid any delays or complications with the shoot. Always get permission in writing so there's no questions later.

Edit Things You'll Need

• An idea
• A script
• A video camera
• A film crew
• Actors
• Other technical equipment
• A place to film

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