If you do not already have Windows Moviemaker on your computer, you will need to download it.

When you’re all set and ready to go, open the program. The screen will be largely blank, with a small black screen on the top right-hand of the screen (this is where the movie will be played). The business end of the operation is on the top left hand; it includes the usual tabs like ‘file’, ‘edit’, ‘view’ etc. Running down the side will be technical gizmos such as ‘import’, ‘edit’ and ‘publish to’. Along the bottom will be the ‘Storyboard’.

The trickiest bit (which isn’t that tricky really) is importing the footage. You will have your footage in one of four places, and these are as is noted on the links on the left: ‘from digital video camera’ (this includes phones), the ‘video’ file on your computer, the ‘pictures’ file on your computer or in the ‘audio or music’ file on your computer.

Click on the relevant link and locate the footage you want to use. Double right click on the footage and hey-presto, in seconds, the footage should now appear on the main Windows Moviemaker screen.

Drag the video clip(s) you’d like to use, one to each blank square on the storyboard. If you click the play button beneath the screen in the right-hand corner, your clips should play. This is easy if you’re only using one clip. For multiple clips, drag one to each blank square on the ‘Storyboard’. The basic movie is now pretty much complete!

To add give the movie a real film flavour, click on the ‘Titles and credits’ link on the left.

Click on ‘Title at the beginning’ and in the first box type in the film title.  To finish,  click on ‘Add title’.

Back on the main screen, click on ‘Titles and credits’ again and then click ‘Credits at the end’. Here you can add your end notes.

Press the play button to see the movie in its entirety and to decide if you are happy with your work.