So, you wanna make a movie? this Filmmaking section can help show you the basics to get you on the way, anyone can make a movie. True, it might not be any good, but if you've got a story you want to tell, then go ahead. Knock yourself out. But before you do, sit back for a moment, and think about how a movie is put together. Or better still, sit back, and read on.

This is not strictly true. Maybe it should read... in the beginning there was an idea! I'm presuming though, that you've already had the idea and want to make a movie out of it. I'm also presuming that you've written the story and it's sat in front of you at this very moment. So how do the professionals do it? Do they just pick up a camera and shoot? Answer:- Well, I guess you know the answer.

Lets break it down. Film and Video production is made up of three distinct phases:- Film Pre-Production, Film Production and Film Post Production. The Pre-Production Phase looks at the planning, Production looks at the actual shoot, and Post- Production centre's around editing and, if you happen to sell it or enter it into a festival, exhibition and publicity.

Oh, and let's not forget that Film making isn't generally a one man, or person show. Okay, so there are a few auteurs out there, who do everything from writing the script, directing, to making countless cups of tea. But lets be honest here... The end result is likely to be bad... After all, there aren't enough hours in the day nor hands on one set of arms. So, the only solution is to share the load. It can't be emphasized enough how important it is to have friends. Friends who buy you drinks at the pub, friends who lend you the price of a cup of tea when your skint, and friends who can operate video cameras and can lug equipment round to obscure locations for you.

How many Directors, do you think, actually learn about different lenses and the effect on an image when you play around with the iris or aperture control, or the difference that a filter can make? All of them, if they're any good. You don't have be a technical expert, but you need to know enough to help you achieve your vision for your movie. You have to have some idea what you want to see on screen.
When your just beginning, its always a good idea to learn about the 'Classical Hollywood Narrative', (developed in the 1920's and still used today) which sets out the rules for film construction that governs the standard shot sizes and sequencing i.e Long shot, medium shots, close-ups, to camera movements (Pans, tilts, tracking shots etc) and the rules related to movement.
When your creating an atmosphere, it's essential to know how to use light, and in particular basic lighting set ups such as '3 Point Lighting'.

Above all, and I can't stress this enough, the most important thing that any one who wants to make movies can do is actually watch movies. This may seem a silly thing to say. But you'd be amazed at how many people don't! I'm not just talking about the classics... Citizen Kane, Metropolis, Psycho... Battleship Potempkin... (Although you really should check them out.. Spot the blatent rip off by Brian Depalma in 'The Untouchables' of the Odessa Steps sequence from 'Battleship Potempkin' (1925). Any movie will do, even if it stars Shannon Tweed! Just watch as many as you can, try and work out how they made it (and who they ripped off... Tarrantino is notorious for it!) and then talk to friends about them. Above all, enjoy yourself...

So Watch, Make or Do. Films are a fascinating form... So get out there.. Don't just talk a good movie, do a good movie.