Today, without big budgets, big crews, big studios, or even teamsters, you can make a complete movie by yourself. All it takes is a camera, a computer, the right digitizing hardware and some editing software.

Still, never underestimate the value of a good story and a good sense of aesthetics. Technical know-how alone doesn't guarantee a masterpiece. Before you boot up your iMac and blow-up Manhattan, spend some quality time with your script and storyboard.

If you plan well in advance, you'll waste less time during production, you'll have more time for improvisation and experimentation, and editing will be much more intuitive. When it comes to video on the web, select constraints that best fit your movie or make a movie that best fits certain constraints.