Q&A for How to Direct a Movie

Yes, go for it! All the best directors started when they were young. I'd recommend starting small and working up because a huge part of the learning process for directing is making a ton of mistakes before figuring out what works. You don't want to start with a big-budget, feature length film -- start with a few small, short films and start gradually making longer ones once you get more comfortable with directing.

No law states a definite age at which you may direct a film. You may direct at any age.

You first need to write an outline -- outlines are very important. Then you need to start typing your script in the correct format -- you can download a screenwriting program if you want to. Then you edit and revise it until you're satisfied. Getting someone else to read it and offer you feedback is a big help.

Any person who is clearly visible in your film must demonstrably have had the chance to object against their image being used. So if you film strangers at a bus stop, you need to inform them and ask for their consent, even if someone walks by in the background and is not the focus of the shot. Exceptions are made for crowds. The same goes for buildings. Property owners must have a chance to object to their property being used. There are laws and regulations in place, so read those carefully.

Tell a great, exciting story, with action or romance. After it's edited, share it everywhere on the internet.

Make a lot of home movies to get practice and you'll feel ready by the time you decide to make a serious film. Watch films by some of the best directors (that are age appropriate) and try to get a feel for what makes their movies so good. Steven Spielberg and James Cameron's films would be a good place to start.

Yes.

While you can't get a directing career making Hollywood movies at 10, you can practice so you can get the job when you are older. Write and make short movies with your family and friends, and read about directing. Buy a movie program for your computer and practice producing those films and trailers on that. If you are still interested in becoming a director, choose to study media studies in high school and beyond.

It varies widely depending on the script, equipment, actors, etc. you are using. You can make a short, basic movie or trailer in just the time it takes to assemble your materials and shoot the film. However, a feature length movie with working actors can take days, weeks or longer.

Of course! You may find that you prefer acting to directing, or vice versa. However, you may enjoy both!

Take each scene from your script individually, and determine how you want to visually tell the information. Rewatch similar scenes from some of your favorite movies for examples. Write down in order which shots you want to have (wide, medium, close-up, etc.), and determine whether you want the camera moving, and how. You can find templates for shot lists by doing an internet search.

Of course, you can. You could even ask adults to help you out with it.

Yes! It doesn't matter what age you are. You can start when you're young, and slowly you'll get more and more experience through your journey.

Of course! Movie making and directing is a constant learning process, not only in technique and implementing new technologies, but in subtler things like managing people and organizing shoots, so the earlier you get started, the farther you can go. Go out there and show the world what you are capable of!

You need to come up with a plot, and put the details in as you go along. Or, you can come up with a basic idea and write while thinking what will happen next. For writing it, use an app like Word. Make sure you can print it off. You'll find more help in this wikiHow: How to Write a Script .