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Anyone can now make a short film with the increased technology available to the common consumer—and it doesn't have to cost you a thing.Steps
- Choose your equipment, something that can record video. There are many choices, just make sure your video recorder works with your VCR or editing equipment.
- Learn a few features, and review how your recording device works. Learn how to start and stop recording, fast forward, rewind, playback and anything else you might need. Save the special effects for your second or third project.
- Choose a subject, what you want to make a film about. Remember, you'll need to complete the project. Think about who, what and where you'll shoot. Form a basic idea for a story and if you're having trouble, read short stories for inspiration.
- Type out a script. Make sure to develop your characters with different personalities; your movie won't be interesting if everyone acts and talks the same.
- Draw out a storyboard, illustrating the shots you plan to use. Don't worry about following the storyboard perfectly, it's just a good idea to get your thoughts on paper and a great way to see if you can communicate an idea "visually" rather than needing the actors to verbally communicate the concept. The viewer is watching first and listening second.
- Find people willing to work hard on your film who aren't very busy. Provide food for your crew, they'll appreciate it and be able to hang around longer.
- Shoot your footage. If you want to highlight your pet, you can shoot video of your pet eating, sleeping and playing and perhaps put it to music.
- Edit your film. Many cameras edit in limited ways and some have special effects. Learn how to "cut" pieces of your footage together and put music or speech over your video. Check your camera's manual or use a free software package like iMovie to make your final cuts.
- One way is to use your VCR or DVD burner to make copies for friends and auditions. If your film is digital, you can also output your final edit to a readable format to send via email. Also if your film is in digital format you can upload to YouTube or another video sharing site. Check up with the websites video formats to see if your movie can be uploaded.
Tips
[edit] WarningsBe careful to check each setting on your recording device as you operate or you might miss the best shot. It's a good idea to review your footage after each "take". There are laws against using video of people and certain places without permission. Always ask the subject or the owner/operator of a building if it's ok to record them and be sure to tell them what it's for. For added protection, have them write it on paper when they give permission.
- Write a short idea of what you want to accomplish. It can be anything from a paragraph to a full script.
- Make your production choices based on necessities. If you're low budget, choose something that happens around you every day as your subject. Don't forget that you can use pictures and still shots for video, too.
- Remember your overall vision as you record your footage. Don't forget to record voice-overs (talking) and other sounds as part of you regular footage. You can always use the video or audio independently.
Ratan Tata's words of inspiration
On courage: I am, unfortunately, a person who has often said: You put a gun to my head and pull the trigger or take the gun away, I won't move my head.
On successful people: I admire people who are very successful. But if that success has been achieved through too much ruthlessness, then I may admire that person, but I can't respect him.
On leadership: It is easy to become a number one player, but it is difficult to remain number one. So, we will have to fight with a view to remain number one.
On Nano: This project (the Nano) has proven to everyone that if you really set yourself to doing something, you actually can do it.
On the need to think big: We have been. . . thinking small. And if we look around us, countries like China have grown so much by thinking big. I would urge that we all, in the coming years, think big, think of doing things not in small increments, not in small deltas, but seemingly impossible things. But nothing is impossible if you really set out to do so. And we act boldly. Because it is this thinking big and acting boldly that will move India up in a manner different from where it is today.
On risk: Risk is a necessary part of business philosophy. You can be risk-averse and take no risks, in which case you will have a certain trajectory in terms of your growth. Or you can, while being prudent, take greater risk in order to grow faster.
On risk: I view risk as an ability to be where no one has been before. I view risk to be an issue of thinking big, something we did not do previously. We did everything in small increments so we always lagged behind. But the crucial question is: can we venture putting a man on the moon or risk billions of rupees on a really way-out, advanced project in, say, superconductors? Do you restrict your risk to something close to your heart?