The motion picture is one of the weekly things that the common man splurges for. Ideally, it should have a lush storyline, relatable characters and intriguing subplots that keep every viewer interested throughout the movie’s numerous scenes. It caters to different audiences, depending on its genre. Such an art form is entertaining to watch and perhaps even more interesting to create. If you are pretty creative, you can try your hand at making movies. Who knows, you might become the next Martin Scorsese or Akira Kurosawa!

A Film is a Montage

Movies are challenging to make. You must observe even the tiniest of details. All it takes is a few wrong moves to wreck the entire effect of your movie. Think of your film as a montage. You must put focus on each of its components before putting them together to create the motion picture. You shouldn’t worry though, since you will work with a well-equipped movie crew, who will make your job a bit easier.

Organization is a Key

Creating a movie is a combination of five lengthy processes. Some of the films that you have seen took two or three years in the making. If you attack the tasks all at once, chances are you will have a hard time making a good motion picture. Let’s keep things organized. Here are the different stages in making movies:

• Stage 1: Writing the Script
• Stage 2: Hiring your Crew
• Stage 3: The Shoot
• Stage 4: Sounds and Musical Scoring
• Stage 5: Post Production

Once you’re making the film, view it as a thesis that you have to tackle chapter by chapter. Keep yourself focused on the current tasks at hand and before you know it, you have finished your first blockbuster.

Stage 1: Writing the Script

The script is an integral part of a motion picture. Some filmmakers say that it is the heart of movie making. It details everything that happens in the movie, including the dialogue, visuals, music, camera angles and the proper timing for each.

You should be meticulous when making the script. Every detail should be properly considered. In some cases, you must even establish a connection among all of the details to make your target audience empathize with your story. If you are not adept at writing, you should hire an experienced scriptwriter. Just give him a general outline of your tale.

Materials Used:

• pen
• paper
• notepad
• scriptwriter (optional)

Procedure:

Think of a good concept for your film. A recommended strategy is brainstorming with your peers or your hired scriptwriter. Take note of every idea tossed out, even the absurd ones. They might be useful when you’re trying to establish a character, a subplot or a gray area of your story.

Through those ideas that you noted down, weave an interesting tale that will appeal to your targeted audience. If you are not a good writer, you must hire a scriptwriter. You can’t afford to make mistakes with the script.

Pause after every chapter to see the general direction of your story. Remember, story ideas may look different when they are written down as a formal script. Make the necessary improvements to the story and the character development.

When the story is finished, read it as a whole and see if there are still points for improvement. Let some of your creative friends read it, since they can find different angles that can further improve your script. You should also edit the dialogue because grammatical errors said on screen are simply unforgivable in the art of filmmaking.

Edit the script for the last time, then make several copies.

Distribute your script to all of the probable producers. Strike a deal with the individual who has the most prestigious affiliation.

The script takes much time and patience to create. Normally, you will have more than a few revisions before you settle for your film’s script. Perfection is a must in this stage.

Stage 2: Hiring Your Crew

A film can not be executed properly at the least amount of time, without hiring some of the most efficient people in the industry. The experienced ones can even offer insights, since they have a good idea on how your movie will appear on-screen. You should know that no great filmmaker can ever be heralded without a dedicated and talented set of people behind him.

Things to Remember:

• Evaluate the portfolios of your prospects carefully. Ask them how they exactly did their work in their previous projects.
• Experienced actors and crew have expensive talent fees. You must check your budget before reeling in all of the big names.
• Know the strengths of your film, so you can devote a big chunk of your funds on highlighting those points even further.
• For the non-critical portions of your film, you can hire fresh graduates. Most of these people are driven and don’t charge high for their services. If they blossom into fine graphic artists or cameramen, you will have their loyalties.

Stage 3: The Shoot

Shooting is the part where the script turns into visuals and sounds. Your crew must understand what the script requires them to do. As a filmmaker, your task is to direct the actors on how they should act, convey to your crew how you want each scene to appear and supervise all of the operations. In a nutshell, you must act as a creator and a manager.

Materials Used:

• cameras
• cameramen
• actors
• script
• microphones
• sound effects CD
• computer
• audio equipment
• tripod
• extra batteries for the camera
• clapper
• carpenters
• designers
• vans and other methods of transportation

Procedure:

Print copies of the script for your actors and your crew.

Ask your actors to memorize and practice their lines.

Oversee the arrangement of the lights, audio equipment and the other materials for the initial scene. Make sure that the cameramen have extra batteries, since shoots are generally lengthy.

Have the carpenters and designers create the set of your initial scene.

Explain to the actors and crew on how you want the scene to appear. Tell them the timing for the dialogue, the visuals and the audio. Cue the clapper for the initial scene.

Evaluate how the actors deliver their lines. Check their facial expressions. If they fail to capture what you imagined, even if it is only a tiny detail, retake the scene. Provide supervision on how they should act and deliver their lines. Scream “Cut!” to cue the retake.

Check the timing of the visuals and sounds. If your crew errs, immediately scream “Cut!” and retake the scene.

When the actors and your crew finally perfects the scene, scream “Good take!” to cue the clapper.

Board the van along with your actors, crew and equipment if you need to switch locations.

Repeat steps two to nine until you finish your entire film.

Shooting requires a keen eye for details and an open mind for last minute changes in the dialogue and the scenes. You should be strict in every scene, so your actors and crew will not lose their focus. During breaks, speak to them, crack a few jokes to lighten up the mood and ask for feedback. You may find ways to improve the scenes through those conversations.

Stage 4: Sounds and Musical Scoring

Implementing the audio of a motion picture normally belongs under post production, but this phase requires much focus, which explains it being an independent stage. You must hire an experienced musical director, who can apply the right sounds for the right scenes. He is also tasked with creating the musical score for your movie. Clearly, the musical director should be imaginative and should know how to compose music.

Things to Remember:

• You can’t gamble with an inexperienced sound tech, even if he is an exceptional composer. Remember, aside from composing, the sound tech or the musical director must empathize with all of the scenes before they could provide the sounds and music.
• Good quality sound equipment is necessary. It offers you more options for sound effects.
• Review the compositions of your prospective musical scorers.
• Ask your prospects to give their interpretations of your movie’s script. From their answers, you can adjudge who can provide the most appropriate music for your movie.

Stage 5: Post Production

Post production is almost as important as shooting. This is the phase where the visual effects of your film will be implemented. You must have a strong team of graphic designers, especially if your film has many scenes that require a heavy dose of special effects. The fate of your movie is in their hands, so you must have a good lead designer and a pool of dedicated individuals.

Materials Used:

• high-powered computer with DVD burner
• motion graphics software (Maya, Premier, Final Cut, etc)
• lead graphic designer
• graphic designers
• blank DVD

Procedure:

Explain to the lead designer how you would like the scenes to appear. Sketch and note all of the details, if possible.

Ask the designer for some creative input, since he is the expert when it comes to making special effects. He will tell you the hardware and the software that he needs to make your vision appear on-screen.

Purchase the requirements stated by the lead designer.

Check the progress of the designers after several scenes.

Convey all of the necessary revisions as soon as possible. If you feel that the design team can’t capture your vision, replace them as soon as possible. Post production is a lengthy process and your film’s producer cannot afford many delays.

When the visual effects of your movie has been implemented, the post production stage is still not done. You have to review the film for one last time and see if it is already fit to appear on the big screen. Do all of the necessary retakes and modificatins at the soonest time possible, then hand a copy of your creation to your producer.

Flirting with Success

When the producer approves of your creation, he will then send it to a film distributor. The distributor, in turn, will market your movie to your nation’s film board, then circulate it in movie theaters worldwide. If you managed to create an excellent film, you will rake in millions of dollars as you stamp your name on Hollywood’s list of new talented filmmakers.

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How to Make Movies

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