The good news is that a green screen can be made very cheaply. For about $40 you can make your own.

First, gather your materials. You’ll need four pieces of PVC pipe (about ten feet in length each, just to be on the safe side), four end caps, four pipe tees, a saw, two ninety-degree elbows, glue, about five yards of green fabric, two pipe connectors, and six clamps.

Determine the height that you want your green screen to be. Get two PVC pipes and cut them to this height.

Then, cut them both in half and add a pipe connector in the center of each one. (This may seem like a redundant step, but it’s to make your screen transportable.)

Obtain another PVC pipe. Cut it into two equal lengths, about four inches shorter than your green cloth. Cut your last pipe into four parts, all the same length, to make the screen’s stand. Put two of them together with one of your pipe tees, and then put the other two together the same way so you’ll have two pairs. Place the end caps on the open ends to seal them shut.

With the PVC pipe you’ve got leftover, cut two sections out to use as spacers. These should be about six inches in length. Add these to the pipe tees.

Glue the couplers to to one section of the pipe, and put all of your pieces together to make the screen frame. Add the green fabric by using the clamps to attach it to the sides and top of the frame. Stretch it across tightly to ensure no wrinkles result on screen, and you’re ready to use it.

When you’re finished, you can easily disassemble the screen and move it to your next location.

That said, you can still film on a great location for cheap–even for free. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you set out on finding your perfect location.

Use every resource you’ve got. Remember family, friends, coworkers and general acquaintances. Chances are someone has that old attic, barn or pond you need for a scene.

Be sure to get a permit if you need one. If you’re in an anonymous location–in the woods or in your own home–you likely won’t need one; however, you will probably need permission to film any street sign, home other than your own, corner store, etc.

Respect the location. Clean up after using it, and don’t leave anything behind.

Know the area. This will help you in knowing how to use the land as well as make a better film, rather than spending your time acquainting yourself with the location.

Ask your state film commission for help. They may help you out for free.

Go glamorous. Just because you don’t have big bucks doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fine location for your glitzy romantic comedy. Be creative and find a nice place near you, or invest in some thrift store finds and create your own location.

See about getting film insurance. That way, if someone gets injured on the set you know you’ll be protected from getting sued.

In short, this will be the most important person that you hire!

The most cost effective way to get a Director of Photography (DP), of course, is to do the job yourself.

If you think you can do it yourself–say you’ve taken a few courses, or maybe you have a mentor in the business or at film school who can guide you–by all means, go for it! But if not, you need to find somebody in the business with some skills and know-how.

You can start searching for your DP at your nearest film school. Even if you don’t have a school dedicated just to film making, your local college will have a film or other arts department. You can also visit filmschools.com to find the nearest school. Once you have a contact there, set up a meeting–but don’t just go to meet the department chair; come prepared.

Have some information about your film ready, with flyers to post around the department. Be sure to include your phone number and name. Be sure to arrive for your appointment early enough to scan the school’s bulletin boards, which is where you may find DPs already seeking employment.

A good DP will know everything about the technical effects of the scene. He or she will have a demo tape for you to check out. Once you’ve seen that and his or her credentials, you will be able to make a decision on whether or not he or she is the one you’re looking for.

Here are a few more tips for shooting like a pro.

Get familiar with your camera. Learn how to zoom in, pan out, tilt, and take the shots you need (medium, close-up and wide shots) effectively. Practice filming life, such as animals, moving objects or friends who volunteer to get better. The more you practice, the better you will be.

Keep your camera still. You already know you need a steady hand for this (unless you’re recreating The Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield), but did you know that many scenes can be shot with your camera still on top of your tripod? Once you have mastered the uses of your camera, you will be able to shoot much of your movie with the aid of your trusty tripod keeping your camera still.

Rent a fog machine for interior shots. This can add some dramatic flair to your scene very cheaply. Just remember to use it when appropriate; if your scene is in a classroom that doesn’t include zombies or vampires, you should skip it.

Use a shallow depth of field. Learn what this is and how to do it for a very polished, professional look in your scenes.

Use professional lighting. If you can afford it, invest in your own lighting kit to create the different lighting needs for every individual scene.