The Four Golden Rules:

1. Never work with children, animals or prima donna stars who refuse to come out of their trailers. If you’re filming someone you don’t know, make sure you have their permission. You don’t want your film ending up as Exhibit ‘A’ at the Old Bailey.

2. Play that funky music. Musicians have a habit of getting upset when their songs are used without permission. Even if you’re whistling the soundtrack, remember: the lawyers have good ears.

3. It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Are you a professionally trained stunt performer? No… we thought not. Keep it safe for yourself, your cast and your crew.

4. Brands beware. If your film promotes a product or service, or includes brand names, then it’s an advert. Call our advertising people and they’ll give you a good deal, but SkyCast won’t accept it.

The Ten Top Tips:

1. Ask questions first, shoot later. The more time you spend thinking about your idea, the better your film will be. Don’t be ambitious – simple ideas are often best.

2. Walk the talk. Remember, you’re making a film about combating climate change. Let’s not use too much fuel or electricity, OK?

3. A good tradesman never blames his tools. Check you’ve got enough tapes and a fully charged battery… and don’t forget to take the lens cap off…

4. I’m ready for my close-up, Mr de Mille. Put your camera on auto focus. You’ll have enough to think about without having to worry about whether your mate’s face is pin sharp.

5. Don’t shake, rattle and roll. Leave the shaky camera effects to ER. If you don’t have to move, use a tripod or at least rest your camera on a table or wall. And try cuts instead of zooming in and out.

6. Lights, camera, action. If you’re filming outside on different days, make sure the weather is the same. If you’re going from inside to outside, be aware of the change in exposure – otherwise your shots will end up too dark or too bright.

7. Don’t whistle while you work. When shooting outside, take into account the wind. Perhaps you can look for somewhere more sheltered to film.

8. Cameramen should be seen and not heard. Remember your camera’s mic will pick up any talking, so unless you want a director’s commentary… shut up.

9. Have a Plan B. Making a film takes longer than you think. Make sure you’ve got enough time to finish it, and that your actors and crew are willing and able to help.

10. Better to be a loser than a Michael Winner. Try to experiment with the camera and do things differently. Have fun, even if it means you make a few mistakes.