WARNING: WE HAVE REALLY GOOD PRICES, so before you start giggling with glee, realize that we go out of our way to give low prices to fellow filmmakers. We don't have an unlimited amount of equipment, and it's probably not beneficial to rent from us if you live someplace like Siberia. Because we don't have tons of equipment, not everyone can rent from us when they want to. So, keep in mind that if we're willing to offer these prices, and you're not near L.A., you should find people in your area willing to rent for this low. Show them our site if you need to, but do what you have to to get the prices you need. Just remember--it's all about getting it done.

This estimate is put together with these general assumptions:

• You're organized, and are planning a one to two week shoot, for about a 90 minute feature.
• You take time between your shooting and editing to pick the takes you want to use, and keep good notes.
• You're not paying your actors or crew, which should be just fine since you really don't need a big crew, and actors are a dime a dozen (I can say this, I'm a professional actor.)

The Budget:

Canon XL1 rental with boom mic and XLR input, lavalier (not cordless), extra boom mic, tripod, all necessary cords and cables, 2 one hour batteries:

1 week: $500 or 2 weeks: $1000

Five to ten 60-minute DV tapes @$5: $25 to $50

15 to 50 hours of editing (depending on how cut-heavy your project is) at $45 an hour: $675 to $2250

Film-render 90 minutes at $25 a minute: $2250

(Most film-look places charge $50-$100 per minute--not us.)

(Note--above price based on shooting frame movie mode on XL1)

Total: $3585 to $5620. For a feature. Bam.

Sure, you might want more editing time, or you might be able to shoot your whole feature in 3 days, or you might need a month. But you get the picture. No more excuses. Make the movie.