Making television programs is not rocket science. You need to have an idea and lots of energy to turn that idea into a visual reality, and then immortalize it on tape. Working with modern digital kit means that you do not need a big team of people, or a lot of money, to make your own movie or television program. But you need to know how to get the best out of that digital camera and how to make something someone else will want to watch.

The Blair Witch Project

The hugely successful feature film The Blair Witch Project was reportedly made for $35,000. That sounds too much for an average 'home' budget, but by Hollywood or broadcast television standards it is less than tea money. You can make films or programs for a great deal less than that without compromising your story or production values. The award winning European film Festen was made with a camera costing less than $2000.

One Life Stand

Very low budget feature films shot on freely available digital cameras and edited on a home computer are regularly shown at film festivals. One Life Stand, shown at the 2000 Edinburgh Film Festival, was written, shot and edited on digital video by the director May Miles Thomas. Made on a staggeringly low budget', it elicited considerable praise from the Guardian: 'this is a very fine film indeed.' Documentary films, or factual TV programs, can be expensive on research time, but in many ways the digital camera is a boon to documentary filmmakers. You can have very long takes and the kit is extremely portable, while the quality of sound and vision can be excellent. So how do you do it? First of all you need an idea.

Your idea

Who you are, what you are interested in, and what you watch on television or in the cinema are the essential building blocks for a good television program idea. It is best to start with something simple. Before making a feature film, everyone should start by thinking through a three minute film story.

Your first three minute film story idea can come from something you are interested in or know about. Perhaps there is something new that excites you. Many people started playing golf on their local pitch and putt course, or learnt to juggle or sail board after trying it out on holiday. Before immersing yourself in a new sport or activity, find out more about it by making a three minute film. You might be fascinated by the new craze for micro scooters (or steam trains, or hill walking or salsa dancing). Do some basic research on the Internet. You will be amazed at how much access you get to clubs, associations and so on, just by saying you want to make a short video. Follow up your initial interest with practical research. Talk to people.

Now you can shoot a three minute film to persuade other people that micro scooters, or steam trains, or hill walking or juggling is just for them. Longer than three minutes and nobody will watch; shorter and you will not do it justice.

By: Bob Jackson