With summer just around the corner, the movie-going audience has a great task ahead of them – which blockbusters to watch? Already at the box office are films like “Mission: Impossible 2” and “Gladiator.” You can only imagine what the hot months ahead hold for us at the air conditioned theatres. Just think, the opening of “X-Men” and “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” are only a few weeks away.

Independent films are also awaiting us, both at the theatre and on television. One of these is Glenn Holsten’s “An Angel in the Village,” which will air on the Public Broadcasting Station. It tells of an immigrant artist and activist, Lily Yeh, who searches for serenity. Not so calm is Greg Harrison’s movie, “Groove,” depicting the San Francisco rave scene. This film became a smash hit at the Sundance Film Festival and has been causing excitement everywhere it is shown.

The independent film scene is becoming hotter and hotter as time goes on. However, in the minds of most filmmakers and anyone creative, independent filmmaking has always been sizzling. The opportunity to think and express independently and uniquely is a very appealing idea. So is the concept of freedom without Hollywood’s executive supervision.

An idea raising the mercury even further is filmmaking made easy for everyone. This summer, with school out (for most of us), comes the opportunity to create our own independent features. Movies are not just a spectator’s sport; you can make them, too. Here, I will cover the basics of home videos taken a step further.

Film stock is way too expensive for the average college student, unless you are actually receiving one of the many grants given to independent filmmakers. Otherwise, if you are just a student willing to give this art a try, videotape is the best canvas for your future masterpiece. Costco or Circuit City are good places to buy video cassettes. At Costco, you can buy 10 cassettes for about $12, which is a steal compared to the price of individual tapes.

I am, of course, assuming you have a video camera. If not, then you will have to make another drive to Costco or Circuit City to buy one. There are other options, though, for those not seriously planning to make videos galore or those low on cash – your friends and family. It is a wise bet to say that someone you know has a camera you could borrow. Just promise them that you will thank them in your Academy Award speech and they will be putty in your hands.

Once you have your camera, preferably a Hi-8 for quality, but any will do you fine, you can start experimenting with angles and shots. It is good to get acquainted with your camera and know what it can do. Once you get a handle on it, the masterpieces can start flowing.

It is best to have a good script to follow, that is if you are not making an abstract, minimalist, or random production, which can be fun, too. If you are a writer, great, but there is a good chance a friend would be willing, even honored, if you use something they write as a jumping off point. The script does not even have to be an original story if you are doing it for non-commercial purposes; it can be a video shot to a favorite song or poem, for example.

When post-production rolls around after all the shooting, you are ready to edit. Again, I am assuming that you do not want to pay $150 an hour for the use of editing equipment at a video production company. And owning your very own editing suite may not be on the horizon just yet. If this is the case, have no fear, the VCR is here.

The manual that accompanies your camera and/or VCR usually has instructions for basic editing using them together. If you prefer something more than simple assemblage, there are other editing choices, including computer editing software. There are also basic editing systems that can be bought, a lot through catalogues, that start at $199. With these, you can work with audio, add text, and do dissolves.

I release you into the summer months with this information in hand and the following advice in mind: Have fun and enjoy the creativity and additional means of expression video making provides. Do not worry if your first few attempts turn out not as you plan; remember you are working with very limited and not very professional resources. That is how a lot of filmmakers today started and look at them now. Happy film and video making to all! Oh, and my last name is pronounced Heck-t, for that acceptance speech of yours.