Have you ever found yourself with an extra hour and a half on a weekend or a long vacation? Do you feel comfortable looking silly in front of your friends and family? If you answered yes to both questions above, you may want to try your hand at filming, producing and acting in your very own home video.

Here’s how to go about it:

1. Movie genre:
For your first embarrassing home video, I would suggest the suspense movie. This type of film has intense, fast scenes that build up to a thrilling and surprising ending, ideally after a heart-stopping chase scene full of villains jumping out from behind trash cans. Short, fun and full of plenty of possibilities for awkwardness and satire, the suspense movie is ideal, especially if you have a limited amount of time.

2. Script:
For ultimate cheesiness, don’t add words. The silent film creates countless opportunities for exaggerated facial expressions (the drawn-out gasp, the hands clutching at the heart, the faint, etc.) sure to generate a laugh, or perhaps a cringe, from your audience.

3. Plot and Characters:
Never fear: even if no one else is willing to join you in your embarrassment, you can always play the entire cast yourself.

4. Special Effects:
Lots and lots of slow motion. And intense music, preferably throughout the whole thing.

5. Props:
Get creative! Don’t have a car for that magnificent chase scene? I think I once used a laundry basket and a plate.

If you follow these steps, you should have a noteworthy masterpiece of embarrassment and hilarity to be enjoyed by everyone, perhaps even more than you think (These things have a way of making it to YouTube.)