Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 5: Fundamental Facts
• Method 2 of 5: Writing a Movie
• Method 3 of 5: Visualization
• Method 4 of 5: Pick a Team
• Method 5 of 5: Shooting and Editing
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

If you are looking to make your own film, it would be a good idea to know where to start the process. Makeup for actors? Graphic arts? How are you going to organize a car race? To understand all this, read some tips on how and where to get started to make your first film.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Fundamental Facts

1. 1 Buy a camera. Many “my own director” filmmakers use cheap cameras when trying to make a professional film. Often, however, the "homemade" aspect of filming is directly related to the form and content of the film. Decide what kind of camera you need and what kind of camera you can afford. They can cost from several thousand rubles to several hundred thousand. If you already have a relatively inexpensive camcorder, try to start with a movie that looks appropriate in “home video” format.
   • In the range from 4,000 to 8,000 rubles, you can buy a fairly good home recorder. Companies like JVC, Canon, and Panasonic have relatively inexpensive cameras that look massive but are actually very mobile and efficient. For example, the movie "The Blair Witch: Coursework from the Otherworld" was filmed with an RCA camcorder, bought for a very small amount of money.
   • And in the range from 20,000 to 35,000 rubles, you can buy really serious models from manufacturers such as Panasonic and Sony. Such cameras were used in the filming of the film "Open Sea" and many documentaries. If you are serious about making films and are ready to shoot more than one masterpiece, then invest in a good, durable camera.
2. 2 Decide how you will edit your movie. If you are not going to edit the resulting material right away on the camera, which implies the perfect shooting of each frame in order, then you need a computer. IMOVIE and Windows Movie Maker are the main types of software you'll need for video editing. With their help, you can edit footage, add sound and even add titles.
   • You can use more sophisticated and professional editing software such as Video Edit Magic or Avid FreeDV. If they are not available for free download, they can be replaced by the equally professional video editors Open Shot and Light Works, which can be downloaded for free.
3. 3 Find a filming location. Of course, filming a space epic in a dorm room will be almost impossible. Therefore, start from the places where you can shoot. See what places are available to you, think about what stories can develop in these places. For example, the entire movie "Clerks" revolves around a group of indifferent guys working in a minimarket. Agree, without access to a convenience store, filming would be impossible.
   • Various businesses and restaurants do not always allow aspiring filmmakers to use their property for filming, but you can always ask them to do you a favor. Some people are thrilled to be filmed.
4. 4 Find people who can help. With a few exceptions, a large group of people are involved in the production of the film.Therefore, you will need both people who will act in the film and those who will help you with the creation of the film itself. Ask your friends to participate in the shoot or post invitations on social networks. If you are not going to pay people for their work, tell them right away.
   • If you live on campus, post invitation flyers around to see if there are local talent who will be interested in your project.

Method 2 of 5: Writing a Movie

1. 1 Create a visual story. Since most films are visual stories, the first step is to come up with the idea you want to bring to life in a movie. Something you have to see to believe. You don't have to imagine every detail, but you should have at least an initial idea of ​​what it will be.
   • Think about movies or books that you enjoy. What makes them so interesting? Could it be the main characters, action, visuals, or theme? Anyway, keep this in mind when planning your movie.
   • Write a list of all the props, locations and characters that are currently available, then create a story around it. Keep a journal and keep your laptop with you to jot down your ideas at all times. Read the news in the newspapers. If there is a basic idea, work with it, develop it as you write the plot.
2. 2 Turn your idea into a story. Character must be the basis for storytelling. Who is the main character? What does he want from life? What is hindering him? How does the character of the hero change? If you can answer all of these questions, you are on the right track.
   • It is worth noting that the development of the plot of almost all stories is built around one of two main prerequisites: a stranger arrives in a certain city and changes his usual way of life, or the main character goes on a journey.
   • Make sure your story has a beginning where the characters are introduced; the middle in which the conflict develops; and the end, in which the conflict comes to its logical resolution.
3. 3 Write a script. The script turns every moment of the story into a separate scene in the film. It is much better if you plan a specific sequence of scenes than to shoot all the scenes in a row.
   • The script prescribes all the dialogues that fall on each character, and also prescribes some physical directions, exposures and camera movements. Each scene should start with a short description (i.e. interior, time of day).
   • Don't complicate what you write. So it might be much better for your story to cut back on the 30 minute chase and jump straight to the aftermath. For example, when the main character is in the hospital, bandaged and surprised: "What happened?"
4. 4 Make a movie storyboard. It looks a lot like a comic book storyboard, only without the dialogue bubbles. This can be done on a large scale, draw only large scenes or transitions, or it can be done on a micro level by drawing every frame and angle of the camera.
   • This process will help you avoid difficulties. You can try shooting without a storyboard, but not only will it help you visualize your ideas, it will help explain your vision to other team members.

Method 3 of 5: Visualization

1. 1 Develop the aesthetics of your movie. Since films are visual, it would be a good idea to take some time to "see and feel" the film. Consider two movies as an example: The matrix, with its monochrome, yellow-green tones throughout, which heightened the feeling that everything in this world was "digitalized" and the film Cloudiness Richard Linklater, rotoscoped a unique and memorable cartoon.
2. 2 Do you want your film to consist of crisp, expertly edited shots or rough hand-held footage? For example, take a look at the movie Melancholy Lars von Trier; the opening scenes were filmed with a high-speed camera, giving the impression of graceful slow motion. Most of the rest of the scenes were filmed with a handheld camera to convey the emotional and spiritual conflicts of the characters.
3. 3 Consider costumes and decorations. Can you film your movie in real time in a real location or do you need some props? The widescreen epics of the 60s and 70s used a combination of large open spaces and a set of studio backdrops. For example, scenes from the movie Shine filmed at a ski lodge in Oregon. BUT Dogville filmed on an empty stage, with fake buildings.
   • Costumes play an important role in the film. They can tell the viewer about the important character traits of the hero. What is the movie worth Men in Black.
4. 4 Pay attention to the lighting. Some films have soft, almost imperceptible lighting, which makes the actors more attractive, and the film itself is a little fabulous. In other films, you can see lighting close to real colors. Pay attention to the movie Dominoes with Keira Knightley.
5. 5 Collect the scenery or explore the location where you are going to shoot. If you will be shooting in a ready-made location, find the exact area that suits you, make sure that you can shoot there. If the shooting will take place on the site, work on the scenery, build buildings, collect the necessary requisites.
   • Shoot in real locations whenever possible. It is much easier to shoot a scene in the diner itself than to turn it into a cafe, for example, an ordinary room.

Method 4 of 5: Pick a Team

1. 1 Choose a painting director. The director oversees the creative process and is the key link between the team and the filming process. If this is your film, your story and your idea, and the budget is very limited, then most likely you will have to fill the role of director yourself. You will select the main actors, follow the filming process and propose new solutions where you see fit.
2. 2 Find a cinematographer or director of photography. It is this person who will be responsible for the lighting and for ensuring that the shooting takes place as it should. The operator is actually an advisor to the director, he will help you choose the right angle, the right frame and the right lighting solution. He controls the lighting and the film crew, or simply controls the camera in a small project.
3. 3 Choose a person to be in charge of the set. This person will be responsible for ensuring that all sets and props match the director's creative vision. Usually, such a person is engaged not only in decorations, but also performs other work.
   • If you have a small project, then the costumes, hairstyles and makeup should be in about the same style.
4. 4 There must be a person responsible for sound and music. Moreover, it may not be one person. Dialogues can be recorded immediately at the time of shooting, or overdubbed later in the production process. Sound effects such as laser sound or helicopter noise and explosions will need to be created. The music must first be recorded and then mixed. Sounds such as footsteps, doors creaking, broken plates, and more will also be required for your movie. Sounds also need editing and overlay on video during post-production.
5. 5 The cast of your film. People from your dorm, for example, will agree to work on a low-budget film just to see their name in the end credits. But, of course, it would be much more profitable to get some famous actor for the main role. For example, Seth Rogan is one of the most successful actors, because he doesn't even need to act, he just needs to be himself and the film is guaranteed success. We advise you to do it differently: if you need a policeman, call a policeman you know and ask if he would agree to star in your film.If you need a college professor, call the school and so on.
   • Check the capabilities of your actors. If you know for sure that one of the actors will cry at some point in the film, make sure that the actor can do it before signing a contract for the project.
   • Try to avoid conflicts about the shooting schedule. Make sure the actors are on set when you need them.

Method 5 of 5: Shooting and Editing

1. 1 Collect and test all equipment. You will need a video camera, tripod, lighting and sound equipment.
   • Take some test shots. Give the actors the opportunity to practice, rehearse, and the crew to coordinate their actions.
2. 2 Plan everything carefully. See which angle is more advantageous for which scene. Select good shots immediately, this will greatly facilitate the further process of editing the film.
   • Make sure everyone is in their place on the set, the actors are ready to shoot the same scene, and not every one is different. The team must be one. This will make your job much easier.
3. 3 Shooting a movie. The decisions you make throughout your work will determine how your movie will look. As a "home movie" or as a professional picture.
   • Some say that they deliberately shoot multiple takes from different angles, as this provides more interesting opportunities for the final editing of the film. Typically, professional filmmakers shoot each scene in broad, mid-shot, and close-up shots.
4. 4 Edit the movie. Take a close look at all the frames on your computer, download all the necessary files, organize them, determine which frames will look best. Combine all this into a rough installation. How you edit your movie will determine how it ends up.
   • Creating abrupt transitions from one scene to another can keep the audience interested in the film. This will give a certain style of action. However, long, incessant shots are also powerful, and not always positive. As an example, watch the beginning of the movie. Good bad evil.
   • Edit the movie to the music. For example, in the quiet quiet part of the film and the music should be appropriate.
   • Editing different frames of the same scene from different angles helps you see the scene from different angles. Use different systems and editing tools to create small video clips from different frames, then combine them and arrange them in order. This way, you will very quickly acquire the necessary skills in digital cinema creation.
5. 5 Synchronize sound effects and music. Make sure the music matches what is happening in the movie and the live sound that was recorded during the shoot sounds clear and loud. Overwrite any parts and details that are important to the painting.
   • Remember, if you plan to distribute and advertise your movie, using off-the-shelf music can be a major problem. Therefore, it is best to have the music written specifically for your film. Agree, there are a huge number of qualified musicians who would like to take part in the recording of the music for the film.
6. 6 Create a title and title sequence. In the credits, be sure to include your entire team, a special thanks should be expressed to the organizations that allowed them to shoot videos with them.
7. 7 Convert your movie to DVD digital format. Make a teaser or trailer for it. If you are going to advertise your movie on the Internet or in cinemas, select several parts for a promo trailer. You should not go too deep into the plot in the promo trailer, it should interest, but not reveal the essence.
   • Upload your movie to Vimeo or YouTube for people to watch.

Tips

• When you finish your movie, share it with the world.If it's serious work, it could lead you to a film festival where you get what you deserve. If the work is small, post the movie on the Internet. These are two worthy paths to different kinds of fame.
• Make sure to follow the basic rules of shooting, such as the rule of thirds (imagine the screen is vertically divided into three equal parts, with the important character or main action always focusing in the left third), this makes the film much more interesting. Rarely does the main character appear in the very center of the screen, which gives the film a more professional look.
• Watch a few films, but with a critical eye. Not so much to criticize the action of the film, but to note how tones, styles, sounds, lighting are used. Look for mistakes, for a budding filmmaker it's always lighting. When you watch a movie at home, look at its rating on IMDB, where you can also find an interesting section “Did You Know?” On the site, where various facts and inconsistencies of almost every film are indicated.
• Sound and lighting are very important. Good sound is critical. Good lighting makes the film watchable. Great "inexpensive lighting" includes: dusk or early morning, foggy or cloudy day and shadows (but only when there is a darker background.) A white poster or foil can be used to reflect light on the shadowed side of the face. Work lighting can be used for night photography.
• If you're filming a documentary, you don't need to spend time scripting or storyboarding. Instead, think carefully about the idea, set yourself a goal, what will be the main idea of ​​this film? What audience will it be designed for? Set a goal to shoot as many shots as possible, and then you can focus on editing and other post-production processes (for example, adding music).
• You don't have to plan every detail of the movie. It's important to just be aware of the plot and script. Improvisation can give a film a more realistic and fresh look.

Warnings

• If you're filming in a real location that doesn't belong to you, such as a diner, ask the owner or manager for permission to shoot. This will ensure that all your actions are legal. It is better to get permission in writing, then there will definitely not be any questions.
• Don't steal other people's ideas when writing a script. The idea should be your own, original and unique. You do not have such opportunities as in Hollywood to shoot a gorgeous picture, so your only strong point is originality.

What do you need

• Scenario
• Video camera
• Film crew
• Actors
• Other technical equipment
• Filming location
• Money
• Supervisor
• Scenery
• Editing program
• Storyboard