One of the things I hate most about digital projects — and there's a lot to hate about new media — is that it encourages people to spend money. It's as impoverishing as it is empowering. I've seen a lot of people get excited about making their own little movies or whatever and go buy a digital camera, high-end computer, the works — and lose their enthusiasm after one project. Or don't have enough time to finish their projects because they have to take jobs to pay for their equipment.

So if reading these articles gets you all excited about making stuff, don't take it out on your credit card. Zinesters don't go out and buy a photocopier, so consider holding off on buying anything until your first project is finished and out there.

The First Project Rule is practical for a number of reasons: first, you can figure out what you really need for your second project, rather than what you think you need, or what the guy at the computer store tells you you need. Secondly, the longer you wait the more value you'll get for your buck — computer prices are dropping all the time, and the system you got for $1000 last year would get a much better system today. Renting a DV camera for a day is cheap, and you probably know a bunch of people who have access to the kind of computers you need to edit with.

The cultural pressure that combines the urge to buy and the urge to be modern — the upgrade — is a significant one, and one that is pretty obviously motivated by profit. I wrote my first computer game, made my first little movie, and maintained my website for years without having a full desktop computer. Not that everyone will want to do the kind of organizational gymnastics that this required, but consider this screed a dissenting note in the chorus that the technology pimps are singing.

OK, disclaimer over. On with the show!

Videomaker Jonathan Culp tells some harrowing tales of no-budget movie making and what he learned.

Nicholas Johnson's "On Wednesdays, We Make Movies" shows the advantages of making it fast and making it trashy.

With a week, a partner, and a bell, you can pull together a feature-length script, so says Jim Munroe.

Stacey deWolfe lets us in on ten tricks on how to get the footage together without going nuts.

Now that you've got the footage together, it's time for the refinement process. Mark Slutsky has some pointers.

Siue Moffat reveals that the old school claymation style isn't just cool-looking, it's (somewhat) easy to do!

Interested in running your own server for streaming movies and more? Chantal Bertrand offers an introductory primer.

Jim Munroe has some ideas on what to think about if you decide to take your show on the road -- it ain't just for rock bands these days!

Jim Munroe gives step-by-step instructions on how to make your own CD-ROM zine or compilation of videos.