Startup cost: $200 - $5k

Short Documentary Creator is a side hustle that can be started with a range of setup costs. Low-end estimates indicate that costs range from $200 to $500, while high-end estimates can go up to $2,000 to $5,000. The money would typically be spent on equipment like a camera, microphone, lighting, and editing software. Additionally, expenses may include travel costs for filming locations, props, and potentially hiring a sound engineer or editor. Essential items at launch would be a decent camera and microphone, basic editing software, and some lighting equipment. Optional items could include drones for aerial shots or higher-end editing software. Hidden fees might include licensing fees for music or stock footage used in the documentaries. Online communities suggest that costs can creep up once commitments are made, especially if quality needs to be improved. For a friend looking to take this seriously, a budget of $1,000 to $3,000 would be recommended.