There are dozens of reasons why you might want to build your own movie set. Maybe you have created a YouTube channel and need to create a backdrop in order to please your thousands of subscribers. Or maybe you are working on a school project and the added effort and professionalism could bump your grade up to an A. Whatever the case, do not fear! Building a set is easier than organic chemistry. Okay fine, it is a lot easier than organic chemistry.

First you will need to decide what kind of movie set you will want and or need. A simple backdrop for a video requires limited supplies and little effort, but an interactive set requires quite a bit more work. First The Easy!

A back drop for a video should be a simple affair and dark, solid colors are your best bet. That way you can have notifications and links pop up around you which adds to the video. If you are in a small room and have very limited resources a queen size or larger sheet can work fine. But keep in mind that these will move with the air, and can show wrinkles which will take away from any professionalism you are trying to exude. To make a basic backdrop, you will need to get one by four pieces of wood, white pine works best, glue, staples and a staple gun (or screws and a drill) particle board, and canvas.

A lumber yard should be able to cut down your pieces of wood for you to length. Join the pieces together to make a square and take the particle board that has been cut into squares or, better yet, triangles. Glue or screw the particle board to the one by fours to keep them square, and cut at least two one by fours at forty five degree angles. Wedge them in the corners to brace the frame and make it sturdy. Now stretch the canvas over one edge of the frame and staple the corners. Pull the canvas over the rest of the frame, making sure to get all of the wrinkles out, and staple it along the edges. There should be about an inch of give in the middle of the canvas. Now take a brush and your glue, and generously lather all of the canvas. Let it dry overnight and it will tighten and harden, making the backdrop firm and sturdy.

Before you build, make sure that you have a place to store your back drop since they are virtually impossible to fold and or bend. If you want a big backdrop, but do not have the room to store it, make smaller ones that you can put together. Try making them different colors so you can switch it up in your home movie.

Brad Pitt may not be starring in your movies, but putting in that extra effort to make them seem more professional can go a long way.