$50 + free shipping 1080p fixed lens, flash card camcorder
http://cgi.ebay.com/Insignia-NS-DV1...rofessional_Video_Cameras&hash=item4aad2befaf
Needs SD memory card.
$26 + free shipping shotgun mic w/ minijack
http://cgi.ebay.com/14-37-inch-Elec...470?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2564b7786e
$32 + free shipping digital voice recorder w/ external jack
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-RCA-VR5320R...301?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588e9d7ead
$1 boom pole
http://www.dollartree.com/cleaning-...nges/Angel-Broom/212c259c259p297637/index.pro
DIY microphone shock mount.
Write screenplay on free Celtx
http://celtx.com/
Edit video on Movie Maker
Edit audio on Free Audio Editor
http://free-audio-editor.com/
Less than $130.
Write your story along simple three act structure,
- action is cheaper than adventure and more popular than horror,
- night time settings don't have to fool with daylight time/cloud issues but look pretty bad on "film"
- external daytime on light overcast days allows colorful shots without supplemental lighting
- internal shots force echo address issues
- utilize easy to access locations
- cars and parking lots work well
- normally available clothing/costumes
- found objects for props
- cast and crew of family and friends
- family and friends locations
EDIT: Whoops! Forgot the computer...
$190 Windows 7 w/ DVD burner. Problem is that 1080p is gonna bog this single core something ridiculous to the point of being a paperweight. You MIGHT could shoot in youtube quality resolution and edit that. Hardly festival circuit quality though - unless your sound is perfect, of course.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Dimension-...0639389910?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item2312ceacd6
$550 + tax Intel i3 Point A - B NLE
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway...uId=9999161300050076&childSku=2632034&count=1
* * * * *
$320 to $680 total.