How to GET IDEAS for making your own films | TOP 5 TIPS

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Steve Ramsden here with DIY Moviemaking and today we are looking at my top 5 tips for getting ideas to make your own films!

So one of the biggest challenges with setting out to make a film is getting the idea in the first place. Now one way is of course to work with a separate writer and ask if they have any existing ideas for you to adapt or direct as your own film. But most low-budget filmmakers often start off without knowing any writers or they just want to try their own ideas so they don’t need to wait around for other people to help. So I’m going to assume you want to get on with making your own film, so here are my top 5 tips on getting a good idea.

Tip number one is to start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. This is because RESTRICTIONS OFTEN HELP CREATIVITY. One example of this you see in everyday life is time. What happens when you have no deadline? You get no work done. What happens with a deadline? Well, you’re more likely to do the work. It’s the same with resources. If you only have a smartphone, or one lens, or one location, or one actor, then come up with something that works with just that. Need an idea for a film? Then work backwards from what you have access to, which is also known as ‘resource filmmaking’!

Tip number two is to start with an idea that is short. It’s easier to begin by making short films and work your way up to something longer. The shorter the better for your first project, and just concentrate on making a great short film rather than an average long film. And some ideas will actually work better for a short film anyway. So don’t think trying something very short is a bad thing – if anything, if you share it online, the shorter it is, the more people will probably watch it.

Tip number three is to pick an idea of the right scale for what you think you can currently do. Ask yourself if you honestly have the resources to tell your story, in terms of time, locations, people to act or be crew, and most of all money. So try and keep your idea cheap - most people don’t have a lot of cash to spend on their passion projects.

Tip number 4 is to use the basic principals of drama – traditionally you need a character, they need a goal and you need some conflict that is preventing them achieving that goal. Most stories no matter how big or small will do this – they will establish a character, they will give them a problem, and they will make them act on it, and then there’s a result of some kind – either they succeed or fail.

Tip number 5 is: if you are looking to make something to simply share online, you might want to think about the things you probably enjoy when you watch things this way. The big three things usually are: is it RELEVANT, is it RELATABLE and is it SHAREABLE?

[DarthTV]

I was a published writer long before I got into film making so feel the ideas are the easy bit in my case. My problem is a get ambitious & always wish to learn something new with every project I take on now am learning unreal engine to cut shooting costs & comping in my actors from a greenscreen room.

[stephanenicault]

Thanks for share your experience in youtube, it's precious.

[ranger]

My first movie took an entire summer to write and find locations, using the same actors as different characters.. eventually ran out of money and time about half way through. Robert Rodriguez "El Mariachi" was a great documentary into film making, I highly recommend it

[городскиепрогулки-иу]

Thanks! I am thinking how to immerse the viewer in the atmosphere of the plot. Alternating general and close-up. The most important thing you said is what the protagonist wants. Straight to the goal!

[anishbabuabbas]

Hi Steve Ramsden...its a great channel. Now only i came to know about it. You doing great videos. Thanks for sharing these tips. All the best.

[rauldejujuy]

Muchas gracias por compartir todos tus conocimientos

[Darkhorsefilm]

Thank you so much 🔥..🙏🏻.... Love from India ❤️🙏🏻

[gerardomolinarodriguez]

Me gusta mucho ver que en menos de 10 minutos nos da una amplia explicación del tema, saludos desde MÈXICO.

[phucichik]

wow that's great man. But can you do a tutorial on stop motion vfx? because i'm not good at 3d software like:C4D or Blender

[Mosesnice]

I want to learn how to edit perfectly with premier pro

[paulysguitarjournal]

I’d like to do something around solo classical guitar, instead of one shot videos.

[englishforsrilanka]

Hi Steve, I was one of the first people to purchase your AE course for 75 dollars using the discount code. They've helped me immensely so I wholeheartedly thank you for that.

I have a request, could you please do a video on how to use VFX assets(explosions, embers, dust, smoke etc.) on AE or Premiere? I bought a bunch of VFX assets for Black Friday but to my dismay the packs didn't include tutorials on how to use them. Help, please.

[therassul]

Can u recreate sub zero's ice sword scene?

[DEditor]

Anyone who wants to be different and original, will create their own stuff, regardless of popularity, relevance or not. People who are only Following trends, seldom or won't become a leader.

[edwinlopez]

I have a tip for a movie. How about a movie of a new way of war in the future? I have a vision of a movie where men's are in a big military machine with canyons in the holes and rolling in a middle of a combat in war and robots as soldiers with little machines rolling with guns on them. A new technology of war. I have a vision tunnel for a good movie

[mamasboy]

When will this dude make his own movie, like fr!!

[XanderShiller]

I have writers block with getting my protagonist a goal(s) wtf

[zian]

sorry, I have subscribed to your channel by mistake, then after some videos I realised that you are not helping new creators, or begginers so... Just unsubscribed it .... again.