Moviemaking Merit Badge

Four requirements, with the production of requirement 2 drawn from the treatment and storyboard through the six shooting techniques to a program presented to a pack, troop, patrol or class, and the program of 2(d), the film set visit or zoom lens of 3 and the career or hobby of 4 drawn as questions.

5 steps (11 parts inside them). 7 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About Moviemaking Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the 3 questions at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering 3 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 5

1 step

1. The elements of a good motion picture Requirement

Discuss and demonstrate them, including visual storytelling, rhythm, the 180-axis rule, camera movement, framing and composition of camera shots, and lens selection.

Stage 2 of 5

1 step

2. Produce a motion picture Requirement

Four parts: a treatment, a storyboard, six shooting techniques, and a program presented to an audience.
7 parts
- 2(a). Write a treatment of your story
- 2(b). Prepare a storyboard
- 2(c). Demonstrate six shooting techniques
- 2(d). Plan and present a program. Do ONE Often forgotten
- 2(d)(1). Film a court of honor and show it to an audience Optional May not apply
- 2(d)(2). Create a short feature of your own design Optional May not apply
- 2(d)(3). Shoot a vignette to train a new Scout Optional May not apply

Stage 3 of 5

1 step

3. A production visit or the zoom lens. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice.
2 parts
- 3(a). Visit a film set or television production studio Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 3(b). The elements of the zoom lens and three important parts Optional May not apply

Stage 4 of 5

1 step

4. Career or hobby. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice.
2 parts
- 4(a). Research a career related to moviemaking Optional May not apply
- 4(b). Moviemaking as a hobby or healthy lifestyle Optional May not apply

Stage 5 of 5

1 step

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. The elements of a good motion picture, 2. Produce a motion picture and 2 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.