TOP 5 FAQs

1. What is the best camera to use to make videos at home?

There are many cameras that will work just fine for the filming of movies at home.  The most important thing to have is a digital camera, one that allows you to input into a computer for manipulating your movie and adding effects and titles.  Your camera doesn’t have to be the most expensive or have the most functions.  The outcome of your movies depends more on you and how you create your movie than on the camera or equipment that you use.

2. How can I change the backgrounds in my movies to make it look as if the subject was in another location, like in Paris?

The best way, other than going on location to Paris, is to use a Green Screen effect to mask out the existing background and replace it with whatever background you want.  If you have a green screen, film your subject in front of it. Then, on a computer with software for this purpose, remove all of the color green. The tell the computer to replace it with a picture of your choice. Voila! You are in Paris.  See our "Tips" section to learn more.

3. Can I use clips of movies I purchase or music from my iPod to use in my movies?

All movies, photos and music (and books, etc.) are protected by Copyright Laws. That means that the legal rights to the movie or music you have purchased are owned by someone else (a person or a company or both). When you purchase these products, you technically can only use them for the purpose for which they were created. In this case, that means you can only view the video or photograph or listen to the music.

If you want to use a video clip, a photo or music (created by someone else) in your movies, you must obtain their permission to do so.

There are some companies that sell photos, movie clips, and music specifically for use by others. For a small fee, or in some cases for free, you can use the materials - "royalty free" - for your movies.  See our Links page for more information.

Of course, you can always use videos, photographs or music that you have created or recorded on your own. You can also use music that you have created on GarageBand or similar programs.

4. My movie doesn’t sound as good as those on TV. Why?

Sound comes from the microphone built into your camera or from an external microphone that you may attach to your camera.  Built-in mics require you to be close to your subject and to have no ambient sound or background to hear clearly.  If you use an external microphone you can more easily control the sound.  See our "Tools of the Trade" section for more info on microphones.

5. How can I duplicate my film so I can send copies to my friends and family?

Many of today's computers allow you to make DVD’s directly from your computer.  There are also a number of outside services that will be happy to make any number of copies of your DVD for a fee.  See our Links page for names.