movies

=**Let’s Make a Movie!**= One of the greatest things about the switch from analog film to digital tape is the ability to edit movies using a computer. Footage can be trimmed and rearranged. Voiceovers and music can be added. Titles and captions can fly on and off the screen.

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To create a digital movie, you need the following items:


 * **A digital video camera.** Most cameras today shoot on digital tape. Some even record to a hard drive! Most digital still cameras also have a movie mode; the movie won’t be as clear as one shot with a video camera, but it will still work.
 * ** A tripod.** If you have access to a tripod, it will greatly benefit your work. A tripod allows you to work alone if need be. It also eliminates shaky shots.
 * **A computer.** All of you video needs to be transferred to a computer for editing. Use a computer that has plenty of memory and a fast processor. Video work is very hardware intensive.
 * **An interface and cable to transfer the video.** To get the video from the camera to the computer, you’ll need to connect the two using the appropriate cable. Most new camcorders use an USB interface to connect to a computer. Better camcorders will also have a FireWire (IEEE 1394) connection.
 * **Editing software.** Windows comes with a program called Windows Movie Maker. It is a very basic film editor, but it works just fine and it’s free! Macintosh users will use iMovie, which ships free on every Macintosh.

Once you have collected all of the required items, it’s time to get working on your movie! Follow these steps to make a great movie:


 * 1) Get organized by creating a treatment. A treatment outlines what your movie is about and lists what you will need to make the movie. Think of it as a “to do” list for your movie.
 * 2) Make a storyboard. He who fails to plan, plans to fail. It is crucial that you take the time to create a storyboard. The storyboard includes the shots and audio you need to create your masterpiece. If you don’t use a storyboard, you will end up shooting more video than you need, making the editing process much more difficult. Who wants to wade through hours of unnecessary video?
 * 3) Shoot the scenes. Take the camcorder and get the shots you need. Consider lighting and camera angles as you film.
 * 4) Edit the movie using a computer. Connect the camera, capture the video, and edit the clips. Add titles, music and transitions.
 * 5) Send the finished movie to tape or DVD. Once your masterpiece is complete, it needs to be rendered into a finished product. Rendering creates high quality video and titles. The finished project can be stored on the camcorder’s tape or turned into a DVD using additional software.

**Step One: Create a Treatment**
A treatment is an outline of your project. It includes information such as the title, running time, objectives, intended audience, and shooting locations. You can [|check out the Drumline Video Treatment.pdf]. Here's a blank treatment:[|Blank Treatment Template.dotx]

In a classroom setting, the teacher should take the time to approve the treatments before the students begin storyboarding. The treatment is like a proposal for a research project; it allows the teacher to get a quick overview of the student’s intention.

**Step Two: Storyboarding**
Storyboards can be done in two ways: image-based or text based. In an image-based storyboard, the video producer uses sketches to draw what the scene will look like and includes text below the image to add lines of dialogue. In a text-based storyboard, illustrations are replaced by words describing what the scene looks like.

In general, a text-based storyboard takes less time to create. To see an example text-based storyboard: [|Drumline Storyboard.pdf]. You can also find a blank storyboard template here: [|Blank Storyboard Template.dotx].

Use the approved treatment to create a storyboard that accomplishes all of your objectives.

**Step Three: Shoot**
Once the treatment and storyboard are approved, it’s time to shoot the video. Following the storyboard, shoot the scenes. Because video clips can be rearranged in the computer, scenes do not need to be shot in sequential order. In other words, if your first and last scenes take place in the band room, you can film them back-to-back.

When you film the scenes, try to use a variety of moves, shots and angles.


 * **Moves:** The camera physically moves during the scene. Examples of moves include pan and dolly.
 * **Shots:** A shot determines how close you are to the subject. Shots include long (wide), mid, closeup and, yes, EXTREME closeup!
 * **Angles:** The angle literally refers to the angle the camera takes towards the scene. For example a tilted (canted) shot can convey a feeling of confusion.

To learn more about moves, shots and angles take a look at: [|Media Know All.]

Consider the scene’s lighting as well. A dark area will lead to fuzzy video. Find a well-lit area or shoot outdoors.

Also consider the audio quality. If you film in a noisy area, the camera’s microphone will pick up any background noise. Speak clearly and loudly when filming your scenes. You can add voiceover work later – such as a narrator – but any sound on tape must be as clear as possible.

If you need help figuring out how to use the Classrooms for the Future camcorder, you can [|read the Canon ZR800 manual]. If you're ready to jump right in, don't forget to open the lens cover and rotate the power switch to camera.

**Step Four: Edit**
Now it’s time to edit the raw footage into a masterpiece.
 * 1) Make sure the camcorder is in the off position.
 * 2) Connect the cable to the camcorder’s digital out port.
 * 3) Connect the other end to the computer’s USB or FireWire port.
 * 4) Move the camcorder’s power switch to the PLAY mode.
 * 5) Windows will recognize the camera. It may take a few moments to load the proper drivers for the camcorder. Windows will notify you when the camcorder is ready to use.
 * 6) Start Windows Movie Maker.
 * 7) Once the program loads, you will find a list of movie tasks on the left side of the screen. Choose //Capture from video device//. This will allow the software to talk to the camera.
 * 8) Capture the video. Remember, you can delete unwanted material after it has been captured by the software.

Once the video is captured, you can begin editing. In the correct order, simply drag the clips to the timeline. You can add transitions and titles by selecting those options under the Edit Movie tasks. Simply drag the desired transitions and titles to the timeline. It’s easy!



**Step Five: Send to Tape or DVD**
When the movie is finished, look under the Finish Movie task. There you’ll find a //Send to DV camera// option. This will send the video back to the camcorder, allowing you to connect the camcorder to a projector or TV for public display.

If your computer has DVD creation software, the finished video can also be added to a DVD. All Classrooms for the Future laptops have DVD creation software.

=Additional Resources= [|Microsoft Windows Movie Maker Tutorial Page] [|Get Started With Windows Movie Maker] [|Papa John's (Not the Pizza Guy) Movie Maker and PhotoStory Tutorials]