Have you ever dreamed of making your own movie?
Whether you love superheroes, animals in the schoolyard or exciting adventures in the woods, you can create a fantastic story and turn it into a real film. Or maybe you have to make a video about a certain topic for school.
You will learn how media can influence your audience making your own movie from scratch. Here’s how you can do it!
Step 1: Create your story! *
The first step to making your own movie is to come up with a cool story.
Think about:
- What happens in the story? Is there a big challenge or an exciting adventure?
- Who are the main characters? Are they brave heroes, cute animals, or magical creatures?
- Where does the story take place? In a mysterious city, an enchanted forest, or maybe in space or your class room?
* For more information on the 5 steps of storytelling and how to prepare a video shoot in detail please visit the MULTIPLIERS Open Schooling Hub: multipliers-project.org
Step 2: Write the script!
A script is like a guide for your movie.
It tells you exactly what the characters should say and do. You can start writing down what happens in each scene.
For example:
- Scene 1: The hero wakes up and discovers that their favorite toy is missing.
- Scene 2: The hero sets off on a quest and meets funny friends along the way.
Step 3: Find your actresses and actors!
You will need actresses and actors for your movie.
Ask your friends, siblings, or parents if they want to joint in. Everyone gets a role from your script.
Step 4: Make costumes and props!
Every story needs costumes and props (these are the things the characters use, like magic wands or lab coats for your school laboratory).
You can easily create costumes and props with things you find at home. Be creative!
Step 5: Choose the filming location!
Where do you want to film your movie?
Maybe in the garden, the living room, or at the playground? Pick places that fit your story well.
Step 6: Action!
Now comes the exciting part – filming!
You just need a smartphone or a simple camera. Make sure there is enough light and that you can see and hear the actresses and actors well.
Film one scene after another, just like in the script.
Step 7: Editing
Once all the scenes are filmed, you can put them together with an app or a computer program. Maybe you want to add music or sound effects to make your movie even more exciting.
Step 8: Premiere!
Your movie is finished!
Invite your friends and family or your schoolmates to a movie premiere. Don’t forget the popcorn! Show them your movie and enjoy the applause.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick up a camera and tell your story! Have fun making your movie!
Some more tips
Tip no. 1: Learning doing!
Maybe not everything will go perfectly right away, and that’s totally okay.
The more movies you make, the better you’ll get. So, grab your camera and get started – who knows, you might be the next big director!
Tip no. 2: Making movies is teamwork!
You may not be able to do everything for your first film on your own, for example when editing the film material.
Ask others for help!
After all, you want your movie to be finished and presented to an audience. Don’t give up and believe in the importance of your film project!
Tip no. 3: Get your own film clapperboard!
It is even more fun to use your own film clapperboard. The professionals do that too.
You can get a clapperboard very cheaply. During your shoot, the actors will feel a bit like movie stars when call ACTION!
Glossary
Clapperboard: A clapperboard is a tool used in filmmaking to synchronize picture and sound and to facilitate the tracking and organization of filmed material noting information about the scene, take, and time of recording.
Scene: A film scene is a part of a movie that tells a small story, like a chapter in a book.
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This article has been written Kathrin Rosi Würtz, as part of the series on project Multipliers.