How to Make a Movie

1. Watch some movies similar to the one you are trying to make. Watch some well directed movies and watch how the camera and sound effect have been used to lead inspiration into your film.
2. 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).
3. If you want a narrative, decide if you want to write a story yourself, base it from a book you read, or base it from a real life story. Documentaries and narratives are completely different. Narratives tell the story with characters and plots, so you can make a real life event into a narrative. Documentaries, on the other hand, are behind the scenes footage of an event or a life of someone, with real life people discussing these things, while providing information to the audience about a person or an event.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Make storyboards and a shot list from your script. Planning what shots you want to film will make the shoot go smoother.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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 simpler to film in a diner than make a room look like one.)
10. 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.
11. Pick out some costumes and makeup for your actors, if needed.
12. 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.
13. Take your footage to your computer - upload the photos/production 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.
14. Add sound effects and music. Make sure that your music flows with what is going on 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 in your music, either to make the audience, happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, emotional, and more.
15. Create titles and credits for your actors and crew. You can also include a list of "thank you's" to any organizations that were willing to let you shoot in their establishments.
16. Export to a digital format DVD.

• If you are bad at introductions 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 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.
• 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.
• Make sure all of the cast knows your filming so they don't get caught in the shot and look like an idiot. I've learned from experience.
• 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.
• Be sure to add credits to your movie (to make it professional looking).
• Another method is to try to get your movie produced through Pavaline Studios.

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.
• If filming in an actual location that does not belong to you, such as a diner, you may want to ask the owner or a worker/manager for permission first. Would you like it if a camera crew walked into your house and just began filming without asking?
• Make sure you chose the right actors. If they have had no experience or they're bad at acting it could ruin everything.
• Do not harass your actors or they will leave you and your film could be lost.
• Make sure you have fun if not this could get upsetting