"YOU TOO CAN MAKE A FILM!" 

Everyone can make a movie, and we've put together 5 basic points that will help you become the filmmaker you've always dreamed you could be. Here we go!

1. YOU ALREADY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT!

It doesn't take huge cameras and big lights and massive microphones to capture amazing images and sounds. Today's phones, which we all carry with us, can shoot super crisp images and capture great sound. Unless you've got an old-school flip phone, this should be all you need!

Plus, all Mac computers come with iMovie and there is a ton of PC editing software out there. Google it to find out more.

Watch our video for more specifics on equipment.

2.  IT'S ALL ABOUT THE STORY!

Story is king at the 187 Film Festival, so take your good ideas and work them into better stories. Look at some of our films and see how they take everyday things like driving in a car, being a girl in a Latino family or even just going out for milk. It's the stories that are told that truly resonate with the audience.

And when it's time to tell your story - keep these two words in mind: simplicity and conflict. The best things in life are free, and the best stories in life are simple. And they have conflict! If nothing ever goes wrong for your character, that's a one-way ticket to Snoozeville. Conflict is the baking powder in your story's cake - without it, nothing is gonna rise.

3.  IT'S ALWAYS BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND!

Always shoot more than one take! In fact, you need to do many takes. Think about it. When you see a scene in a movie or TV show of two people talking, how many angles are there? Many. And each shot is done several times. Don't think you're gonna shoot something once and then move on. Do yourself a favor and shoot as much as can, as many ways as you can, because when it comes time to edit, you will be thankful.

4.  GO WITH THE FLOW!

You have an idea. You turn it into a story. You shoot that story. Several times with several takes. And then you go into the edit and discover....."uh...this is not what I thought?"

Don't worry. It's natural. You have to go with the flow and see what you have. Keep your eyes and ears open to how the footage looks and let it lead the way. You want to be open to any possibilities you discover in the edit that you could not have known while writing or shooting the piece. There are many happy accidents in the creative process, and if one happens on your watch, embrace it!

5.  HAVE FUN!

This should be obvious but have fun! The more fun that is had during the creation of a film, the more likely it is to translate to the viewer. Making the film will be hard, and take longer than you think. But what in life of value ISN'T hard? The answer - nothing. All the more reason to have fun from conception to completion, because when you are done, you will have this amazing piece of art that you can share with the 187 community - and beyond.

In addition, we're retaining our past guidelines, including:

• Only one film per current 187 student per year.
• All films should be between 1:45 - 2:00, unless given special permission by 187FF Producers.
• All films must be free of profanity, nudity, realistic portrayal of guns, violence, bullying or any other form of behavior generally deemed unsuitable for young children and teens.
• All submissions should contain the following credit within the movie: Directed by STUDENT/PARENT'S NAME(S), GRADE
• The PS/IS 187 Film Festival Producers reserve the right to not screen a submitted film if it does not comply with the Film Festival guidelines.