So, you want to make a movie? Perfect. I always like to hear that. I am going to tell you how you can if your clueless. So, now on to starting...

FIRST THE BASICS:

    Equipment: You want to make sure that you have a good quality camera so your movies don't look like crap. I recommend any camera made by Canon or Sony. Most, if not all, are good quality cameras. Or, if your on a tight budget, I suggest the Flip Video Ultra. Its a cheap, good enough quality camera. If you have some extra cash, get one from the Canon HG series. If you want better audio quality, get a microphone boom or something related if you have some extra cash, but it is not needed. Also, Lighting: If you are filming in a dark room, or a room that needs lights, shine the lights AWAY from the camera. In the back if possible. And any light fixture will do but you should have one of those work lights. They are about $30 and work really well. That is it for the basics. 

PRE-PRODUCTION:

    Brainstorming: First, you have to think of what kind of movie you want to make. An Action, Romance, Comedy, Horror, or Science-Fiction are the most popular. Once you have thought of what kind of movie genre, then you start to think of your main characters. What should they be like in my movie? Sad, depressed, or funny? Once you have that done, think of names. John, Bill, or Hannah? Then, think of what you want to happen. Like, the CLIMAX of the scene. An example:

    A guy was in a helicopter ride for fun. But he then figured out that the helicopter had two stowaways which hid in the back and then tied up the pilot and hijacked the plane. While one was driving, the other one was about to push the pilot off the plane with the guy, too. So the guy grabbed the pilots shoulders and kicked the hijacker off the plane. All he heard was "Ahhhhhhhhhh!" All the way down. Now, to get the other hijacker. He grabbed a fire extinguisher and hit him in the head with it. He was knocked out. He then untied the pilot while they were spiraling down to earth. The guy told the pilot to take control of the plane, but the pilot said he couldn't gain control because it was falling so fast. So they grabbed two parachutes and jumped out. THE END.

    I know, not the best story, but its an example. Once you have thought of that, think of the beginning and the ending. Then, were on to scripting... Scripting: Then, you take your ideas and put them in a script. A script is used to help people remember what their supposed to say. Here is an example of a script.

    SCENE 1----In front of John's house.

John: Yea, so I really want to go to the amusement park, but I cant.

Martha: Why???

John: Because its a school night. Who opens an amusement park on a school night!?!?

Martha: I don't know. But I better go. (MARTHA WALKS AWAY)

John: Okay, bye. (JOHN WALKS AWAY)

    Then, once you have your script done, you should start casting. Casting: Casting means to find the roles of your movie. You could ask friends, or you could post fliers around a school, or a church saying that you need actors. Then, you audition them to see who would fit the role. Then,once you have all of your roles and actors, you give them each a script to let them practice. Then, we move on. Crew: You always want to have a crew to work the lights, the camera, and to get you-- the director, things he/she needs. So I'd just pick some friends that have some technology skill. Sets: Choose a place where your movie is going to be filmed! It could be your school, your house, or even at your local park! Choose a place that seems to fit your setting.

PRODUCTION:

    Filming: Okay! Now the fun part. To start rolling. Have all the actors be put in their positions, have the lights turned on, and you roll film. Your actors should then act and be pretty good at it too. But be sure to have brought a lunch or your actors might end up a bit cranky and might leave. Then, you film all the little bits and pieces to your film. Then you are done! With the film, at least.

POST-PRODUCTION:

    Editing: To edit, choose your editing program and start! I will have some video tutorials on how to edit.  But all you have to do is add the beginning credits and then put all the scenes together and then the ending credits and then maybe every here and there a song. But be sure to give credit to your sources like songs, editing programs, etc. Then, you advertise. You tell your friends to tell their friends about your movie. And then, when your all done, comes the last part...

RELEASING THE FILM:

    Releasing the film: All you have to do is have a bunch of friends and your actors over and crew and make them pay a 25c to a $1.00 to pay to watch it. Then, you get money, and you have just made a successful film! GREAT JOB!

 The WikiHow.com way to make a movie...

1. Watch some movies similar to the one you are trying to make. Watch some well directed movies and watch how the camera and sound effect have been used to lead inspiration into your film.
2. Decide if you want to create a narrative ("tell a story") film, a documentary (showing reality) or a compilation film (putting together vintage footage and/or photos).
3. If you want a narrative, decide if you want to write a story yourself, base it from a book you read, or base it from a real life story. Documentaries and narratives are completely different. Narratives tell the story with characters and plots, so you CAN make a real life event into a narrative. Documentaries, on the other hand, are behind the scenes footage of an event or a life of someone, with real life people discussing these things, while providing information to the audience about a person or an event.
4. Decide on a theme or plot. Making a film about something you know, is a good way to start. If you're excited and knowledgeable about the information or story, it will be apparent to your audience.
5. Write the script/screenplay. If you want to submit your script to a professional, screenplays need to be in a special formats. If you're simply filming the movie yourself you can write it like a play script. Your screenplay should detail every scene, all actions performed by the characters, the settings/locations, and when each scenes changes. Try using The Cinergy Script Writer. It does all of the work for you!
6. Make storyboards and a shot list from your script. Planning what shots you want to film will make the shoot go smoother.
7. Cast your film (Find actors). People in your community might work for screen credits in low budget films. Of course, it would be advantageous to have a well-known name starring in your movie.
8. Location Scout: find a place and decide on the time to shoot it! Home movies will be relatively spontaneous, but structured films should have a schedule so your cast and crew know when and where to gather.
9. If you can't find the right location you can create sets. You can use wood and paint for very simple set modifications. (If possible, using actual locations is easier. It's simpler to film in a diner than make a room look like one.)
10. Before your scheduled shoot, get (and test) your equipment. You will need a video camera and tripod, additional microphones, lighting equipment, and spare tapes/discs.
11. Film your movie. The shots you decide to take will make the difference between a "home movie" or a professional looking movie. Some people say to shoot multiple takes from multiple angles because it will be more interesting in the end. As a very general rule, professional filmmakers shoot each scene in a wide shot, medium shot and close up of important elements. And the type of shots they decide to take are determined by what feeling or emotion they are trying to convey.
12. Take your footage to your computer--upload the stuff you shot, and edit it. Cut out the boring parts, that's what movies are all about. Quick cuts, hold viewer's interest. Editing between various angles can quickly show multiple things going on in the same scene. Use your editing system's split or razor tool to create smaller clips from multiple shots, and then mix and match. You'll get the hang of it.
13. Add sound effect and music. Make sure that your music flows with what is going on the movie at that second. Music gives the movie an emotional stance. It changes the audience's emotions which give them a more positive view on your film. You can vary in your music, either to make the audience, happy, sad, angry, scared, excited, emotional, and more.
14. Create and ad titles and credits using VideoTagger for your actors and crew. You can include a list of "thank yous" to any locations who were willing to let you shoot in their establishments.
15. Export to a digital format, or burn to a DVD