Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Nathaniel. Nathaniel Wonders, “How do you make a movie” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Nathaniel!

Do you like movies? Who doesn’t, right? There’s nothing quite like grabbing a big tub of buttered popcorn and relaxing in a cozy seat. Many people love watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster on the silver screen!

Have you ever stopped to WONDER, though, about how many people it takes to make a movie? If you’re like most kids, you’ve probably enjoyed surfing online video sites to watch funny videos. Some of your friends have probably even made their own homemade movies!

With a video camera or a smartphone all you need is one person—you!—and a few seconds to make your own short movie. But what about those big-screen adventures you see in the theaters?

Well, those movies take a lot more than one person and a few minutes! In fact, would you believe that some of the biggest blockbuster movies take years to plan? It’s true! Thousands of people spend months making them.

Exactly how many people are needed to make a movie? That depends. A short film that only shows one actor speaking directly to the camera could be made with just a few people. A three-hour action movie with tons of special effects shot around the world is a different story. It could require thousands of people!

Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you need to make a movie. To start with, you need a story. This usually takes the form of a written script. This is like a story with dialog and additional direction for each scene. A script requires a screenwriter or sometimes even an entire team of writers.

Before a script can be written, a story idea has to come from somewhere. The ideas for stories can come from any source. Movies have been made from books, plays, television shows, and plenty of original ideas. A producer will come across an idea and start putting together all the elements to get a movie made. This can include securing financing for the movie. They may also choose the cast and crew who will make the movie.

One of the most important roles in filmmaking is the director. The director is the person largely responsible for turning the story into a film. They make many of the creative decisions. They also direct the cast through the step-by-step filming of the scenes.

Most movies have many other people involved. They require actors, film crews, lighting and sound experts, make-up and costume professionals, stunt people, and extras. They also need editors, technology experts, and a wide variety of other people. Everyone works together to make the film from beginning to end.

Think about all the jobs that need to be done to make a big-budget movie! It’s no WONDER that movies can cost millions of dollars to make. Would you like to work in film one day? Which job would you most like to do? There are many options on the set of a feature film!

Standards: CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.W.6

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