Make an experimental film
Create a short experimental film using a smartphone or camera, simple props, editing apps, and creative camera techniques to explore visual storytelling.
About this activity
Create a short experimental film using a smartphone or camera, simple props, editing apps, and creative camera techniques to explore visual storytelling.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Pick a short idea or theme for your experimental film like “floating colors” or “tiny world.”
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Step 2
Choose three to five small props that match your idea.
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Step 3
Make a simple background by taping colored paper to a wall or using a cardboard shoebox as a set.
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Step 4
Decide on two camera techniques to try such as close-up slow motion reflections stop-motion or moving shots.
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Step 5
Place your flashlight or lamp so it creates cool shadows or bright highlights on your set.
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Step 6
Film a 10-second close-up clip of one prop to capture details.
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Step 7
Film a 10-second moving shot by slowly walking the camera around the prop or slowly moving the prop past the camera.
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Step 8
Film a short reflection or shadow clip using the bowl of water or by angling the flashlight.
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Step 9
Make a quick stop-motion scene by moving a toy a tiny bit and taking 10 to 15 photos.
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Step 10
Import your clips and photos into your simple video editing app.
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Step 11
Arrange the clips into an order that makes a visual story or mood.
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Step 12
Add simple edits like trimming clips changing speed or adding one music track or sound effect.
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Step 13
Export and save your finished short experimental film to your device.
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Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make a short experimental film with my child using a smartphone or camera?
Start with a simple concept or feeling and sketch a short storyboard of 6–10 shots. Choose a location and gather easy props. Use a smartphone or camera on a tripod or steady surface. Experiment with close-ups, unusual angles, focus changes, and creative lighting. Shoot many short clips, then use a child-friendly editing app to trim, reorder, change speeds, add filters and sound. Export a 30–90 second piece and watch it together to talk about choices.
What materials do I need to make a child-friendly experimental film?
You’ll need a smartphone or camera, a tripod or steady surface, simple props like fabric, colored paper, toys, or household objects, and basic lights (desk lamps or flashlights). Install an easy editing app (iMovie, CapCut, or similar) and have chargers, spare batteries, tape, scissors, and a notebook for ideas. Optional extras: an external microphone, colored gels, and a DIY reflector made from cardboard and foil.
What ages is this experimental film activity suitable for?
This works well for ages about 6 through teens with adjustments. Ages 6–8 can participate with adult help for planning, filming, and editing; ages 9–12 can do more shooting and basic editing with supervision; teenagers can explore advanced techniques independently. Preschoolers can join via play-based filming with caregivers. Always supervise outdoor shoots and equipment handling, and set screen-time limits to keep it balanced.
What are the benefits of making experimental films with children?
Making experimental films boosts creativity, visual storytelling, and problem-solving. Kids learn composition, pacing, sequencing, and basic editing while improving fine motor skills and planning. It encourages collaboration, confidence from completing a project, and media literacy—helping children understand how images create meaning. Short projects offer a low-pressure way to practice persistence and reflection, and parents can use them to discuss safety, privacy, and responsible sharing.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of a cardboard shoebox or colored paper for the background if we don't have them?
If you don't have a cardboard shoebox for a set, use a shoebox lid or a folded piece of poster board taped to a table as a simple background for the close-ups, stop-motion, and moving shots.
My moving shot looks shaky—how can we fix it when we "Film a 10-second moving shot by slowly walking the camera around the prop"?
If your 10-second moving shot is shaky, steady the camera by resting it on a tripod or stack of books, hold it with both hands and move very slowly while keeping the prop at the same distance, or instead do a smooth tabletop pan.
How can we change the activity for different ages while still following steps like filming close-ups, reflections, and stop-motion?
For younger kids (4–6) simplify to two chunky props and film only the 10-second close-up and a shadow clip with an adult handling the flashlight, while older kids (10+) can try slow motion, longer stop-motion sequences of 20+ photos, and more detailed edits in the video app.
What are easy ways to extend or personalize the film beyond the basic trimming and single music track?
To enhance the project, add a recorded voiceover or title card during the 'Arrange the clips' step, use colored cellophane over the flashlight to change highlights in the reflection/shadow clip, and include a short behind-the-scenes stop-motion when exporting the final film.