The word “movie” comes from the term “motion picture” — pictures that move.

Like books, movies tell a story. But instead of words on paper, movies are a visual and a listening experience. The audience sees and hears the story. People all over the world love this powerful medium — they love the way movies
tell stories.

The storyteller is the director. He/she is in charge of how a story is made into a film. Exactly where and how the images are filmed and edited, how the actors portray their characters, and what the audience experiences, is all part of the
director’s vision. The story itself can be simple or complex, silly or intense. The director’s vision is responsible for how the movie makes the audience feel about the story: sad, amused, bored, exhilarated, scared, powerful, or humble.

Stories in books can describe any place in the universe, with any number of characters. But there are constraints in film making. Film directors can be limited by the weather, number of actors, available space, and, especially, the
money needed for props, costumes, special lighting, sound and camera equipment. So, a lot of creative problem-solving comes into play.

It is the director’s challenge to make his or her vision translate from story to movie, using the techniques of filmmaking — things like character development, camera angles, and editing. But you have to develop your own vision and probably the best way is to create (or help create) a film from beginning to end. By doing so, you will learn how to:
• develop a story and interesting characters
• write the story in the language of filmmakers: a screenplay
• create a visual storyboard to show camera angles, distance, and subjects
• plan a filming schedule
• utilize various camera, sound, and lighting techniques
• work with actors
• understand the power of art direction and continuity
• use costumes and makeup
• do post-production sound and editing