Preproduction
A movie starts off in preproduction, where the idea for a movie is conceived and planned out. In this part of the production, it could be as simple as jotting down the shots you want to have, or it could be as complicated as writing an entire script and drawing storyboards for every shot. For the most part, the more time spent in preproduction, the better the movie will be. Professionals spend 80 percent of their time in preproduction. If you are making a movie with a purpose, knowing what you want before you pick up a camera will save you a great deal of time later. If you are unsure of what the final outcome is going to be, you will end up shooting a lot more footage than you need and spending lots of extra time editing it. For more tips on preproduction, click here.

Production
Once you have a vision in mind, you pick up the camera and move into production. The digital video cameras today are incredibly good at capturing images and sound, and there are ways you can make your footage look like the movies. Be sure to check out video shooting tips so that your movie does not have the tell-tale signs of an amateur production, like a shakey picture, too little light, poor sound, or too much zooming. Take first-rate footage to make your movie a success. For more production tips, click here.

Postproduction
After you have captured the footage, you are ready for postproduction, simply known as “post.” Here you will download your footage onto the computer and edit it together using a non-linear digital video editor like Adobe® Premiere® Elements. These simple-to-use programs will allow you to trim video clips, put them in order on a timeline, and add transitions between clips, as well as music, sound effects, voice-overs, and special effects. Click here to learn more about postproduction.

Distribution
Now that you have a finished movie, you are ready to send it out into the world. Since it is digital, you can send it in an e-mail, post it to a web page, or burn it to a DVD. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Click here to learn more about sharing your movie with your friends, family, and the rest of humanity.