Okay, Im about to start shooting 3-Different Productions over the next month and Need a few small things ranging from an External Microphone (Possibly a Cordless) to VERY CHEAP TRIPODS (SInce Im too cheap to buy lighting I just jiggy rig some cardboard and Dollar store lightbulbs up and high if it works).

What is the best place to buy Cheap, reasonable quality Film Equipment? Preferrably Online, since Retail tends to charge more. Thanks.

go to barnes and nobles and get a video magazine.

The thing about remote mics...they suck...go with a shotgun mic blimped. and you want to make sure it pics up a good sound range.

tripod? get a couple screws and some wood...

lighting, get those cheap refelctive light domes at hardware stores.

incidently, someplace called broadway was selling new canon xl1s thru a videography magazine for 2300...NEW...interenet seems to me to be full of fraud and rip offs.

"The worst times in life happen the moment before the dreams come true"

There is a way to get pretty descent lighting, for cheap. First, dont use dollar store lightbulbs. Their not balanced for film, or video, and everything will come out orange.

Buy the dome lights as suggested. I recomend the clamp lamps, because you can clip them to almost anything (IE: chair leg, door nob, cupboard door,ect..)then, go to Home Depot (or other such hardwars store) and buy some Phillips N. Flood halogen bulbs. Their about 8 to 10 bucks each, but they burn hot enough to come out white on video. You can go to a craft store, and find some think transparent collored plastic, that might act as gels. Incase you do need some color changes. Just clip them to the dome with clothes line pins. Also, use wax paper in front of the dome as a diffuser. Attach the same way as gels. Want some examples of how they work? Click this link ( http://www.tizzyentertainment.8m.com/photo2.html )
Those screen caps are from my latest short, which I light using exactly what I have just described. It WILL help improve the quality of your shoot.
Finally. You may be able to find some dome lamps cheaper at flea markets, or yard sales, if you have the time to look. Good luck.
R. M. McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.