Create your characters or choose objects for your film. You can use toys you have or make your own characters from clay or craft materials, or use inanimate objects, such as fruit.
Create a story line. For your first film,keep it simple. Using the characters you've created decide on a simple action for them to complete. You might have an apple escape the kitchen counter using a rope of paper towels, or a modeling clay man go for a walk around the living room rug.
Write a list of images that will help tell your story or draw a story board as an outline. A story board is like a comic strip that film maker's use to visualize their scenes before shooting them.
Set up your camera and shoot a few test images. You can use a digital still camera, or a camcorder on still mode. Use a tripod to hold your camera still.
Look at your test images, adjust distance or focus, or add or subtract light to get the best picture.
Shoot your first image, then adjust your characters slightly to represent their next movement. A character might pick up a leg to make a step, or just scoot forward slightly. Re-photograph this next image, then move your characters again. Repeat this until your images cover the entire action of your story.
Upload your images to your computer. Consult your camera manual for specifics. Your camera will either connect with a cable via FireWire or USB or you may plug the camera's memory card into the computer's card reader.
Open your movie editing software. For Windows users you can use the free Movie Maker included with your OS. Go to "Open," "All Programs," find "Windows Movie Maker" and open it. Go to "File," select "Import Media." Navigate to your picture folder, select the images you uploaded and tell the program to import them.
Drag and drop your images into the timeline at the bottom of your screen. Use the software to edit, trim, add simple transitions, titles and credits to your movie. Set the picture duration and transition to their minimums in the "Tool" menu to create a smooth flow between your images. Once you are happy with your movie, go to "File" and choose the "Save for the Web" option.
Navigate to a site such as YouTube or Veoh, or other Web video hosts. Sign up for a free account and follow their simple instructions to upload your finished movie to the Web. Send out an email to your friends and family with a link to your movie and enjoy all the great comments.