Making+Movies+-+getting+started

Tips and tricks to get you started
1.PLAN your video. Use one of the planning sheets, or create your own by folding a piece of A3 paper into 2 rows of 4 squares.

Storyboard (planning) sheets are in the resources page of this Wiki.

2. FILMING: It is better to have several short pieces of video than a long piece that has to be cut up and have bits removed. Use a tripod where possible, even if you are filming with a small digital camera. In situations where you are not certain what will be in each piece of video, (eg filming 'A day in the life of ...), you will still plan how many pieces of video you will use to make your movie. This helps you to stay focussed on the central theme, and select the video clips that will tell your story most effectively. You can also use still images interspersed with video clips.

2.VIEW and EDIT video in your camera before downloading. Ensure that all the video you are downloading is short and to the point.

3. Titles and credits. These do not HAVE to be done using the movie software - it can very effective to write your title in a coloured sheet of paper and photograph it.

4. Transitions. It is tempting to get 'tricky' with transitions and use lots of different ones with flash effects. Hoever, your movie will flow better if you use the same simple transition throughout.

5. MUSIC. There are copyright issues with using music on movies. The general rule of thumb is that music is out of copyright 70 years after the death of the composer. HOWEVER: If it has been re-arranged then copyright on that arrangement expires 70 years after the death of the arranger. Lyrics also have copyright, and expire 70 years after the death of the lyricist. With recorded music, there is also copyright to the recording company and - yes - again it is 70 years! There are sites that provide lists of music that is out of copyright - much of it is classical. You will have some sample music on your laptops, and music that you create on Garageband is fine.

Some warnings about making movies:
Video will take up a LOT of storage on your laptop. - This is one reason to avoid filming too much video. The other is that while you are creating your movie, you will have the video clips saved in several different places: Firstly in the Movie clip library. Secondly in your Project file

It is REALLY important to tidy up the video libraries when you have created your video, otherwise you may have several copies of various video clips saved in several places. 1. Once the Movie has been created, go back and delete your project. -Remember that a project can be modified and a finished movie cannot. 2. Once you have created your movie, go back and look at the clip library in your movie making software. Delete any clips that you will not be using for other movies. 3. Empty your movie trash can, and your laptop trash can.

Ok. Now you have made your plan and done the video-ing.
If you are using a digital camera, just download in the normal way. You will import the video from your picture library.
 * Download your video**. If you are using a video camera, you will have to use the Movie-making software or iMovie to import the video from the camera.

In both windows Movie Maker and iMovie, your screen is divided into 3 main areas: The viewing window is the top right area of your screen.
 * iMovie:** along the bottom is the area that all available video clips are displayed - all video clips that are available are here. The area top left of the screen is the area that all the video you are using in your project is viewed (You drag them from the video library at the bottom up into the project area. Photos are dragged and dropped from iPhoto into the project area. The square to the right of this is the viewing window, where you can watch your video as you create it. (You can flick the viewing window to fullscreen, which is useful as you get closer to finishing your video.
 * Windows Movie Maker:** Along the bottom of the screen is your Soryboard/Timeline (there is a button that flicks between the two views). You drag and drop the video you want to use from the video library (top centre) into the storyboard. If you are adding or altering audio, or transitions, you need to flick to timeline view.



Now go to iMovie page or Movie Maker page.