Q&A for How to Make a Movie As a Kid

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Question

How do you make your own movie for free?

Kendall Payne
Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian
Kendall Payne is a Writer, Director, and Stand-up Comedian based in Brooklyn, New York. Kendall specializes in directing, writing, and producing comedic short films. Her films have screened at Indie Short Fest, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, Channel 101 NY, and 8 Ball TV. She has also written and directed content for the Netflix is a Joke social channels and has written marketing scripts for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, Astronomy Club, Wine Country, Bash Brothers, Stand Up Specials and more. Kendall runs an IRL internet comedy show at Caveat called Extremely Online, and a comedy show for @ssholes called Sugarp!ss at Easy Lover. She studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and at New York University (NYU) Tisch in the TV Writing Certificate Program.

Kendall Payne

Writer, Director, & Stand-up Comedian

Expert Answer

Write for the locations you have access to. For instance, you'll likely have access to a bedroom, a kitchen, a sidewalk, or a park, so you could write scenes that can be shot in those places. You might also have friends who work in an office or a restaurant where you can shoot for free.

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Question

Can I do this if I'm 10?

Community Answer

Sure! You're a kid, aren't you? These instructions are for you.

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Question

Can I use my phone camera?

sayyida rania

Community Answer

Yes. If you can upload your video and pause the video, you could use your phone camera.

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Question

What if no one I know wants to be in the movie?

Community Answer

Keep asking around or maybe meet some new people. Maybe there is a drama class or community theater group in your area with actors who would be willing to help out.

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Question

What should I do if I want adult actors in my film?

Community Answer

See if your teachers, parents, friends' parents, or other relatives are willing to be in your movie.

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Question

Should you get a parent's permission first?

Community Answer

Yes. Trying to make a movie would be difficult for anyone, even famous directors. Being a kid and wanting to make a movie would have it's own challenges. Share your plan with your parents. They may be able to help you out with some of your plans or offer assistance with whatever your require to make your movie.

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Question

Can I make the movie outside?

Community Answer

Yes! If you are filming in an area where you think someone might bet in the way, try to clear the area and say that you are working on a movie.

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Question

How do you get actors and crew members?

Community Answer

If you want actors and crew members, all you need to do is look around and ask. You can ask friends and family to be actors or crew members. You'll be surprised how many people will be keen to get in on the action!

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Question

Do I have to have actors?

Community Answer

If you are making a movie about people, then yes. But if it's purely about animals then you probably won't need people. And remember that you don't have to have professional actors.

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Question

How much money do I need for a good camera?

Community Answer

You don't need that much money if you buy a used camera. You can look at yard sales to find a good one -- it would cost about 15 dollars (or more) if you did that.

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Question

How do I shoot If I have no actors and want to do this alone?

Community Answer

Keep pausing the camera, changing clothes, and you can play all of the parts that way.

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Question

How do I get girl actors when my group is all boys?

Community Answer

Ask them to join. Many girls would be excited to be involved in a move-making project. Ask siblings or cousins if there is nobody else left to ask.

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Question

What can I do if I don't have a lot of kids around?

Community Answer

School. You should have friends at school. If you're home schooled and live in a neighborhood, ask some neighbors.

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Question

What if I don't have a green screen?

Community Answer

The answer depends what kind of movie you're making. If it is more of a dramatic scene, then you can just use places like a park or other spots on the neighborhood to fit your theme. If you're going to make an action movie, in space for example, you're going to probably need one. Remember that green screens can often look fake and not work out the way you want it to. Make sure you know what you're doing before buying one.

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Question

I like the idea, but what would I do if it was both action and drama? Would I need two cameras?

Community Answer

Yes, it would be a good idea if you want to shoot the movie from two angles, and switch. Cheaper cameras are fine too; nothing will change.

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Question

Do I have to make a CD?

Community Answer

If you want to share copies with other people, or want to watch it on a different computer/DVD player, then yes. If not, and you only want to watch it on your camera/computer, then no.

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Question

What are the essential things I need to write in a script?

Community Answer

There has to be a plot. Start with something good to introduce the characters, but then suddenly, have everything backfire, the bad guys infiltrate the base, etc. Then your characters have to progress and try to get everything restored.

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Question

Could young siblings (5 or 6 years old) act in my movie?

Community Answer

Yes, kids of any age can be in your film, but realize that they might not be as cooperative as older individuals in a film, so have patience.

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Question

Can I use the same people for different characters?

Community Answer

Yes. Just make sure you change their costume/makeup and maybe have them change the way they talk.

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Question

Can I still make a movie without a computer?

Community Answer

You can, but it would be much more difficult as you wouldn't be able to edit the movie at all.

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Question

What can I do if I have no one that can act for me because I'm stuck at home?

Community Answer

Siblings. If they aren't good actors, ask friends. If you don't have friends, then cousins!

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Question

What's a green screen? What do I do if the author of the book I want to make a movie of has died?

Community Answer

It's a green background for photographs and video that allows special effects to be inserted during the editing process. If the author has died, you will need to contact the person who owns the rights to his book and ask for permission to use it.

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Question

How do I get a camera if I have an iPad?

Yoyomaster5636

Community Answer

You can use the camera on your iPad. Or, if it’s a first generation iPad and it doesn’t have a camera, go use an old camera or buy an affordable new one.

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Question

How can I make a green screen?

Community Answer

You can order green sheets online for cheap and then tape it down with green duct tape to make sure its perfectly smooth. Or, see How to Use a Green Screen for more information.

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Question

Will not writing a script or screenplay affect how good or bad the movie is?

Community Answer

Some movies are not scripted, particularly documentaries, and it's okay to let your actors make some stuff up as they go along, but you probably want to have a basic script for them get an idea of what the movie is about.

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Question

How do you burn discs?

Community Answer

Get a blank disc or CD and then open up Windows Media Player. Then click "Burn Disc" on the top right-hand side corner.

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Question

What if I want to make a movie about a book, but none of my friends have read it or even heard of it?

Community Answer

If you think the book would make a good movie, then make the movie. It's not as if you need to have read the book that a movie is based on in order to enjoy it. Hopefully your movie will inspire your friends to read the book.

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Question

How do I make a movie look professional?

Community Answer

Use a special effects application.

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Question

What if nothing works?

Community Answer

Just keep trying, pretty much nobody makes an excellent movie on their first try. It's a learning process, and the more you work at it, the more you'll improve.

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Question

Can I use iMovie as an editor?

Community Answer

Yes, iMovie is a great editing platform.

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