The Mega Movie Making Guide for Kids

Movies and films provide entertainment on the screen that is fun to watch. A movie takes a story and brings it to life. Many people think of movies as high-budget projects or those that bring in millions of dollars on the big screen. Movies can also be fun to make at home, using ideas and music to play together. The process of making a movie at home is easier than it sounds.

Making a movie requires a few basic steps that must be followed to put a production together. All movies need a story to follow, which may be simple or very detailed. A movie must also include actors: the people that will play particular roles or who will have speaking parts. Write the story of the movie down on paper, so the actors will know what parts to speak. Devise a background or scene where the movie will take place. Depending on the length of the movie, there may be various scenes requiring different backgrounds.

Movies are filmed using camera equipment. This can be from various sources such as home video recorders or features found on cameras. Sound effects may be made with various objects around the home, and experimenting with items that make certain sounds can be fun. Some programs allow a movie to be recorded with a camera and then played on a computer. There are various guides that will assist with adding sound effects or music digitally with the help of prompts.

Editing a movie is done by taking out certain parts that do not fit, or changing a movie where mistakes have been made. Adding script at the end, such as credits as to who wrote and filmed the movie can also be done creatively. Some movie-makers write their credits on a piece of cardboard or paper and film a shot of the credits for movie watchers to read. There are also online programs that will help with editing and adding captions or credits to the end of a film.

Movie making is a fun, easy project that can be done by anyone using a little imagination. A movie can be as simple or as detailed as the movie-maker wants it to be. The creativity behind making a movie project is an entertaining activity that will be watched and enjoyed by many people.

Writing a Script

• Making a Silent Movie: The art of creating a script.
• The Young Filmmakers Club: The process of making a storyboard.
• Make Movies: The basics of scriptwriting for animation.
• Screenwriting Info: Writing a script that tells a good story.
• Enter the Future Filmmaker: The steps of film-making, starting with writing a script.
• Storyboards: An explanation and examples of storyboards for movies.

Video Shooting Techniques

• Video for the Classroom: Using background, camera angles and focus to make movies.
• Shooting a Movie: Information and tips for shooting a movie like a professional.
• Getting Back to Basics: The basics of using a camcorder or video recorder for making a movie.
• All Parties Tell a Story: A guide to creating and shooting home movies.
• Brain Pop: A video guide to making your own movies.
• Fun Filmmaking Tricks: Ideas for video shooting to get the best pictures for a movie.

Editing

• Video Production for Students: A guide to the process of editing.
• Digital Films: Help with creating a movie, including background and editing in digital format.
• Make a Movie that Tells a Story: A breakdown of all of the basic parts of movie-making.
• How are Films Made?: An explanation of cinema editing and how it is done.

Music and Sound Effects

• Me and My Movie: Help for making movies and examples of homemade movies by other kids.
• Movie Sound Effects: Activities and resources of using different items to make sounds.
• Let’s Get Creative!: Simple tips for producing sound effects.
• The Outlet: How to make a soundtrack for a movie.
• Film Street: A website dedicated to teaching all about film-making.

Movie Text

• You Oughta Be in Pictures: An instructional guide to making videos.
• Mini Movie Makers: A guide to the different aspects of making movies for kids.
• Family Videos: How to add text and credits to a film.
• Film Underground: A map to the entire movie making process.