Brainstorm with those involved about the script. Decide if you would like to write something original or based on your favorite fairy tale or book.
Write your script. If you'd like to keep it more casual, you can simply storyboard your story, in which you draw pictures or make notes about what will happen in each scene. This will keep you more on track, but allow the "actors" a little bit of freedom. Try to stay away from copying your favorite movie or television show and instead focus on originality.
Experiment with lighting before you shoot your movie. Lighting can affect mood, such as brighter lights make may the scene feel a bit happier, while darker lights cast a gloomy feel to the film. Keep your lights in line with the film's mood and experiment with your lighting indoors by taking the shades off of lamps or pointing lamps toward your actors. Shoot "test" shots to make sure the lighting is how you want it to be.
Shoot your scenes with your family and friends. Your movie doesn't have to have flawless cinematography, but don't shoot a scene all with one shot. Mix it up a bit by doing close-ups on people's faces during emotional moments or showing scenes or snippets from the point of view of a main character. If you forget where the actors are supposed to be standing when you switch shots, you can place tape (or "marks") on the floor so that they will know were to stand or sit. Remember, you don't need to shoot your scenes in the order they will be featured in your film. You can use editing software to put it in the correct order.
Edit your film using the editing software that came with your computer. Each editing software is different, but it will allow you to add music, sound effects, place your scenes in order and add transitions. Some editing software will offer much more advanced filmmaking effects that you can experiment with.
Burn your movie onto a CD or DVD and show it to your family and friends who participated.