Guide to Moviemaking Projects with Children Filmmakers

Professional filmmaking projects may be for adults, but kids can also get involved in making movies through summer workshops, boot camps, and special art projects. Essentially, moviemaking hones their visual storytelling skills, while also allowing them to learn and experience what really goes behind the scene when making a movie. A number of film and art festivals can also showcase these children's works.

From large-scale film boot camps to neighborhood film workshops for kids to a simple family moviemaking activity, the basic idea of shooting a movie with kids and the dos and don'ts involved when conducting this type of project are generally the same. With the kind of technology available these days, it is not impossible for kids to become very young filmmakers -- of course, with the guidance of adults during the filmmaking process.

Use a Simple But Interesting Script

For anyone creating a story for a movie, one major consideration is to readily have a perspective of how the story will look on screen. Being an audio-visual art form, this applies to any kind of film project, whether in a professional or amateur setting. Yet, what sets a children's production apart when it comes to making a script is how the story should target the kids' curiosity and interest. It is important to make sure that the plot follows a very simple story that is easily understandable by kids. Scripts for children are relatively different from scripts for adults.

For a story to be shot by children filmmakers, the script should always have key elements that appeal to them. The story can typically feature children, teen, or adult characters. They may be human, animal, or fantastic characters that look charming and entertaining for them. The story can explore themes like friendship, family, and love in the eyes of children. The storytelling should be straightforward and free from complicated sub-plots or too much or too deep symbolisms and metaphors. Also, always consider the kind of location to use in the story to avoid encountering location-related problems during the shoot.

Adjust the Working Atmosphere

Unlike in an adult shooting set-up, a children's shoot should be kept short and undemanding. It should be more like playtime than becoming a type of work and responsibility for them. Yet, the adults can make the atmosphere exuding that tinge of professionalism by teaching kids to use actual film jargon in a shoot like "camera," "action," and "cut," while also making them realize the value of filmmaking work and the role of each member of the production. This leads to a role-playing set-up where the children become filmmakers instead of acting out typical roles like mother, father, prince, or princess during regular playtime.

Children should understand that making a movie is a collaborative endeavor. Unlike other art forms like painting or playing a musical instrument that each requires only a single person, a film production needs many experts in various fields. Kids should understand that a film's success depends on how the production team works. They should know the roles of the director, scriptwriter, producer, cinematographer, production designer, actor/actress, and the other key experts involved in making the movie. In doing so, they can better understand the importance of each one's role in the production.

Keep Everything Short, Fun, and Dynamic

Children can't spend a lot of time shooting compared to their adult counterparts. Just like with having a short script, make the actual shoot short, fun, and dynamic as kids get bored quickly. They also tend to easily shift their attention to other things that they find more appealing or interesting.