What do Academy Award-winning directors Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, and Alfred Hitchcock have in common? All of them did not study in film school. However, they pursue their enjoyment of watching movies and learn to make movies while trying to do so. If you want to do that too and start making movies, it can be hard to know where to start. Make-up artist? CGI? And how can you create a car chase scene? Read the following article for tips on how to get started with the basics and make your first movie.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Getting Basic Equipment
Step 1. Buy a camera
Many independent filmmakers use inexpensive cameras to create professional-looking films. Often, the "homemade" aspect of the footage is directly related to the story, thus uniting its form and content. Choose what kind of camera you need and what type of camera you can buy. Camera prices can vary from a few million rupiah to billions. If you already have a relatively inexpensive camcorder, consider creating a story that will suit the "homemade" style.
- In the range of 1 – 3 million rupiah, you can buy various commercial video recorders. Companies like JVC, Canon, and Panasonic have relatively inexpensive cameras that are portable, effective, and produce great images. “The Blair Witch Project” was recorded using an RCA camcorder purchased at Circuit City for a very cheap price.
- In the range of 5 – 9 million rupiah, you can get pretty good Panasonic and Sony cameras, such as those used to make the film "Open Water" and various documentaries. If you're serious about making films, and making more than one film, consider investing in a pretty good camera.
Step 2. Decide how you will edit your film
Unless you decide to edit it directly on camera, which requires you to record all the scenes in the proper order and only shoot the perfect shot, you will need to import your footage to a computer. Macs come with iMovie and PCs come with Windows Movie Maker, the basic movie-editing software you can use to edit footage, adjust sound, and even add credits.
You can use movie editing software for more complex and professional edits like Video Edit Magic or Avid FreeDV
Step 3. Find a place to take the movie
Making a movie about a story in space using your dorm room can be very difficult, and so is making a hard movie about a drug dealer using a mall as a location. Take a look at the locations you could use, and consider what stories could develop in those locations. The film "Clerks" tells the story of people who work in a supermarket. Without access to the convenience store, the process would be very difficult.
Offices and restaurants are often reluctant to provide their properties to amateur filmmakers for shooting, but you can always ask them. Often, people will be interested if they are included in the making of the film
Step 4. People who want to help
With few exceptions, filmmaking involves a large group of people working together to achieve a common goal: a great visual story worth seeing. You need people to act and people to help shoot. Audition your friends for needed roles, or place an ad on Facebook or Craigslist to get people to pay attention to your project. If you plan not to pay anyone, make that clear up front.
If you live in a city with a large university, consider posting flyers in drama halls to see if any local artists are interested. You may be surprised by their interest in being included in a project like this
Method 2 of 5: Writing Movies
Step 1. Imagine a visual story
Since most films are primarily visual stories, the first step is to think of an idea that you want to turn into a film. Think about the things you have to see before you can believe them. You don't have to think about every detail, but you do have to have a basic premise.
- Think about the movies you enjoy watching, or the books you enjoy reading, and think about what makes them so interesting. Is it the characters, the action, the visuals, or the theme? Either way, always keep those elements in mind as you plan your film.
- Write down a list of properties, locations, and actors that are already available in your vicinity, then make a movie based on this list. Always carry a notebook with you to write down any ideas that may come up. Read the news in the newspaper. Get the basic idea, and develop that basic idea. Narrow down the basic idea as you write the plot.
Step 2. Develop your idea into a story
The basis for creating stories from your ideas is character building. Who will be the protagonist? What does the protagonist want? What prevented him from getting it? How will the protagonist change? If you can answer all of these questions, you are well on your way to storytelling.
- It is thought that the whole story has two basic premises: A stranger comes and changes a habit, or a hero goes on a journey.
- Make sure your story has a beginning, where your scenario and characters are introduced, a middle, where the conflict is formed, and a closing, where the conflict is successfully resolved.
Step 3. Write the script
A script breaks down each moment in the story into its own filmable scene. While it may be tempting to jump right into every scene that pops into your head, it's best if you plan everything in advance and think through your film scene by scene.
- A script contains entire dialogue, assigned to each character, along with physical direction, exposition and camera movement. Each scene should start with a brief description of your scene, such as the interior or the timing of the scene.
- Think about creating scenes that are less expensive. For your sake, it might be much better to cut out the 30-minute car chase scene and go straight to what happened after. Maybe your main protagonist is lying on a bed, bandaged, and wondering, "What happened?".
Step 4. Put your movie on the storyboard
A storyboard is a comic-like version of the movie you're about to make, but without the dialogue. This can be done on a large scale, by depicting only the main scenes or transitions, or, if you have a very visual story, this can also be done on a micro scale, by planning every angle of the shot.
This process will make feature-length films feel more fluid, and will help you anticipate difficult film scenes. You can try taking pictures without this process, but the storyboard will not only help you visualize your film, it will also help explain your views to the rest of the crew
Method 3 of 5: Think Visually
Step 1. Develop an aesthetic for your film
Since movies are visual works, it's a good idea to take some time to think about the film's "look and feel." Consider two films as examples: Matrix, with a monochrome, yellow-green color throughout the film, which enhances the "digitizing" mood, and A Scanner Darkly by Richard Linklater, which uses the rotoscope technique and has a unique and memorable cartoonish feel. Here are other areas worth considering.
Step 2. Do you want your film to be smooth and professionally edited, or to have it look like it was shot by hand?
Everything you can do. For example, consider the film Melancholia by Lars von Trier, the opening scene is shot using the camera at very high speed, which gives smooth slow motion results. Most of the rest of the film is shot using a hand-held camera, which creates an atmosphere of turbulent emotional and spiritual conflict throughout the film.
Step 3. Design costumes and sets
How do you want your film to look? Will you be able to shoot in real-world locations, or will you have to create a set? The great films of the 60s and 70s used a combination of wide open spaces and studio settings. The scene from The Shining was shot at a ski house in Oregon. Dogville was shot on a regular stage, with some of the properties displayed as buildings.
Movies rely heavily on costumes to explain the basic characteristics of a character to the audience. Just think of the Men in Black movies
Step 4. Consider using lighting
Some films use soft, almost transparent lighting which makes the actors and scenes look much more interesting, and makes the whole film look more dreamlike; others use lighting styles that are closer to reality, and some people really try to push the boundaries by using very loud lighting. Check out Keira Knightley's film Domino.
Step 5. Dress up the set, or search for a location
If you are shooting in a real location, find the area you want and make sure the place is available for shooting. If you're working with sets, start building and "dressing" them (adding properties).
If possible, the use of real locations will make the process easier. It's easier to take pictures of a dining area than to create a room that looks like a dining room
Method 4 of 5: Auditioning the Crew
Step 1. Choose someone to direct the film
The director manages the creative aspects of the film, and is the primary intermediary between the crew and cast. If this is your film and your story idea, and your budget is not that big, the director is probably you. You'll audition the main cast, monitor filmmaking, and provide creative input when needed.
Step 2. Choose a Cinematographer or Photography Director
This person will be responsible for ensuring the lighting and shooting of the film really run smoothly, and also determine with the director how to framing, lighting, and shooting for each scene. He will manage the lighting and camera crew, or operate the camera on small films.
Step 3. Choose someone to design the set
This person is responsible for ensuring that the set matches the creative view of the director. He may also be the property director (responsible for the items that will fill the set).
Costumes, hairstyles, and make-up designs can all fall into one category in small film productions. In a major film production, this person will choose (or even sew) every costume used in the film. In smaller productions, this position is usually combined with other jobs
Step 4. Choose someone to be responsible for the music and sound
The sound controller can consist of many people or just one person. Dialogue needs to be recorded directly in the scene, or played back later in the production process. Sound effects, such as the sound of lasers or the sound of helicopters exploding, all need to be created; music needs to be created, recorded, and mixed; and foley (footsteps, creaking of leather, broken metal plates, door slams) all need to be made. Sound also needs to be mixed, edited, and adapted to the video in post-production.
Step 5. Audition your movie cast
People in your neighborhood might be interested in getting their name on the screen credits of a low-budget film. Of course, it's very profitable to have famous names to play in your films, but learning to play the strengths of the actors you do have will ensure you'll make a great film. Seth Rogan is a successful and effective actor because he doesn't act – that's often the way his character is. If you need a cop character in your film, call one of the cops and ask if he or she is willing to play in your film. If you need a lecturer, call the university in your city.
- Put your actor skills to the test. If you know one of them has to cry at a sad scene, make sure he can do it before you sign him on for your project.
- Avoid schedule conflicts. Make sure your actors will be available on set when you need them.
Method 5 of 5: Image Capture and Editing
Step 1. Collect and test your equipment
At the very least, you will need a video camera. You'll also likely need a tripod – to hold the camera for steady shooting –, lighting fixtures, and sound equipment.
Taking pictures for the "test scene" is a good idea. Give your actors a chance to practice in front of the camera, and give your crew to coordinate their work
Step 2. Plan carefully
Make notes on which take is best for a scene, to help you in the editing process later. If you have to search through several failed and bad takes every time you want to find the scene you want, the editing process can become overwhelming.
Make sure everyone has the same thoughts at the start of the day for shooting each scene. It may take a lot of effort to get all the cast and crew together at the same location and time, so it's a good idea to create and share a schedule early in the process
Step 3. Take a picture for your movie
The choices you make will make the difference between a "homemade film" or a professional-looking film.
Some people say to take the take from multiple angles because that will eventually make it more interesting, giving it more options during the editing process. As a general rule, professional filmmakers shoot every scene at a distance, medium distance, and close-up of every important element
Step 4. Edit your movie
Transfer your recordings to your computer, upload your files, and make notes stating which images can be used. Make a rough cut using these images. The way you edit your film will greatly affect how your film looks and feels.
- Making quick, jumpy cuts will grab the viewer's attention and give the atmosphere of an action movie, but long cuts can also have a strong impact, even if done incorrectly, it will bore the audience. Pay attention to the beginning of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly films.
- You can also edit using music, which is a fast and efficient way of editing; You can adjust the music to a quiet part of a movie, choosing music that provides the appropriate atmosphere.
- Editing between different angles can quickly show several things happening in the same scene. Use the split or razor tools in your editing system to create smaller clips from multiple shots, then combine and match. You'll quickly get the hang of the technique, and with digital filmmaking techniques, you can always hit the Undo button if you make a mistake.
Step 5. Synchronize sound effects and music
Make sure your music matches what's happening in the movie at that second, and that the sound you're recording is loud and clear. Re-record every important part.
Keep in mind that if you plan to distribute a film using music taken from other sources it can be problematic, so it's a good idea to use music made specifically for your film; In addition, there are many quality musicians who will be happy to help you
Step 6. Create a welcome and credit screen
You need to include the names of your cast and crew at the end of the film. You can also include a "thank you" list for each organization that allows you to take pictures of their buildings. And most importantly, keep credit simple.
Step 7. Export your movie to DVD
Make a trailer or teaser. If you want to promote your film online or in theaters, choose a section to serve as a promotional trailer. Don't tell too much of the plot, but try to keep the audience interested.
Upload your movies to Vimeo or Youtube for people to watch
Tips
- Sound and lighting is a very important part. Good sound (the voices of players speaking clearly without the photographer's breathing or noise from the street, for example) is an important component. Good lighting makes your videos/movies more enjoyable to watch. Good examples of "cheap lighting" are: Early morning or early morning, foggy or overcast days, and shadows (but only if there is a darker background). White poster board or tinfoil can be used to reflect light onto the shaded face. For shooting at night use a work light.
- You don't have to plan every detail of the film. Just knowing the plot and script, and adding a few minor additions is not a bad thing. Improv can make your film look more realistic and fresh, if your actors can do it well.
- Make sure you follow the basic rules of cinema such as the rule of thirds (imagine the screen is divided into thirds vertically and always place the focal point or important character in the area of the far left third of the screen), this will make the film more interesting. Rarely is a character placed in the middle. This technique will make your film look more professional.
- If you're making a documentary, you probably won't be spending too much time creating a script or storyboard. However, think of an idea, set a goal for taking this film such as the purpose of the film, the target audience, and the new point of view you provide. Try to take as many pictures as you can, and focus your efforts on editing and other post-production (like adding music).
- Watch many films with a critical eye – not to criticize acting or directing, but to understand the atmosphere, style, and use of sound and lighting. Also pay attention to the pitfalls: for a novice filmmaker, this can be very instructive. When you watch a movie at home, look for it on IMDB. Near the bottom is a section titled "Did You Know?" which contains trivia and glitches from almost all movies and TV shows.
- When you finish your film, share it with others. If it's serious work, take it to a film festival, where maybe your film will get people's attention. If it's a small, casual job, upload it online for people to see for free. Both are paths to fame, but of a different kind.
Warning
- If you're taking pictures in a real location that you don't own, such as a restaurant, ask the owner or manager for permission first. This will ensure that everything is done legally, following appropriate procedures, and to avoid obstructions or distractions while shooting. Always ask permission in writing to avoid problems in the future.
- Don't steal ideas when writing a script. Make sure the whole idea is your own and make it as original as possible. You don't have as much budget as Hollywood so the only way to make your work famous is to make it unique.
