Top Tips For Young Filmmakers

Top tips for
young filmmakers
intofilm.org
Into Film is a trading name of Film Nation UK. Registered Charity number 1154030.
intofilm.org
Story is very important • Avoid swearing and offensive language

• Avoid showing risky behaviours such as drug
It can be very tempting to start filming as taking, smoking and violence
soon as you get your hands on a camera. • If depicting risky behaviour is part of your
However, taking your time with planning and story, is it necessary to show them in order
developing your story will help you create a for the audience to understand what is
stronger film. happening?
• Use your creativity to think about how to
• Make a film about something that you are explore these behaviours in a responsible way
interested in or passionate about
• Brainstorm your ideas, share with friends Use any equipment
and ask for their feedback
• Create a storyboard to help visualise how Filmmaking is now very accessible for most
the story will play out on film people. You can use whatever equipment you
• Less is more. A simple story told well have available to you. At the very least, you
can be very effective. A complicated need a camera, editing software and lots of
story with little focus could confuse your enthusiasm.
audience
• It is possible to make great films using
Who is your audience? smart phones and tablets and you can also
make the most of filmmaking apps available
When developing your film ideas, you should on these devices
consider who your intended audience is. • Borrow equipment from family, friends,
This will help with the planning and making your school or youth group.
sure the voice and tone of the film is
appropriate for the intended audience. Sound
• If you want your film to have a wide One of the most common issues with the films
appeal, make sure the content is we receive is poor sound quality. This might
appropriate for a family audience be due to the equipment used or the choice
• Think about what will make your film of shooting location. Good quality sound is as
appeal to other young people important as the quality of the video footage
you capture.
Appropriate content
• Use an external microphone as built in mics
Into Film shares many of the youth made on cameras do not always produce quality
shorts we receive on the Into Film website sound
and YouTube channel for other young people • Use headphones to help identify any issues
to enjoy. Therefore, it is important that the with sound recordings
content of your film is appropriate. Films • Try to avoid busy or loud areas when
that appear to condone or encourage risky filming, especially if you do not have a
behaviours also have a limited appeal for suitable microphone.
youth film festivals.
intofilm.org
Use a tripod or keep the Logos and branding

camera as still as possible
It is important that you do not include any
A tripod offers stability within a shot and once obvious or deliberate branding or logos in your
set up, allows the filmmaker to ensure all film.
takes are shot from the same position. This
also prevents shaky camera work, which can • Ask actors to wear neutral clothing, free of
be off putting for the audience. any branding or logos such as Nike
• Do not include close ups of branded items
• A good tripod will allow for proper such as mobile phones or computers
controlled movements to produce smooth • Avoid close ups of posters, paintings or
pans (camera moving horizontally) and newspapers/magazines in your film
tilts (camera moving vertically) and avoid
unnecessary camera shakes Length of film
• If you do not have a tripod, rest against a
wall and keep your arms still during the You can submit films that are up to ten
shoot minutes in duration (including titles and
• You can rest your camera on a flat surface credits). However, Into Film would encourage
to ensure you achieve a steady shot you to submit shorter films. If made well, a two
minute film can be much more engaging than
Music a ten minute film.
When selecting the music for your film, it • Films lasting one minute and under are
is important that you only use songs that of interest to Into Film as they can be
you have permission to use. This means you screened in front of features as part of the
cannot use your favourite One Direction Into Film Festival
song or any other popular tracks that you • Films lasting three minutes and under have
like. The process for obtaining permission for a wider appeal to film festivals around the
copyrighted songs is costly and can take a world
long time. • Don’t be scared to cut out parts of your
film if you think they don’t work. If you are
• Use one of the many copyright free music unsure, the audience probably will be too
libraries online (such as Incompetech or
AudioMicro) that allow you to use a wide More information
variety of music tracks in your film projects
at no cost Filmmaking resources - www.bit.ly/1v4Gsvo
• Make the most of the musical talents in
your film group and compose your own How To films - www.bit.ly/1sLs9W1
music.

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Story is very important • Avoid swearing and offensive language

Use a tripod or keep the Logos and branding

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