Locate a Super 8 camera in a thrift store or on an Internet auction site. Basic Super 8 cameras may cost as little as $5 as of June 2011, while those that have been serviced or have more features will cost more.
Order enough Super 8 film cartridges for your project. Kodak still makes 300-foot Super 8 film cartridges; each contains about three minutes of film. Purchase Super 8 film directly from kodak.com or from other online retailers. Find good deals on expired cartridges on auction websites.
Shoot black and white stock for a truly authentic silent-film look. Tri-X is an all-purpose black and white Super 8 film.
Choose locations with plenty of light, especially if your Super 8 camera is bare-bones. Most consumer-grade Super 8 cameras have few features beyond a crude zoom lens. You will generally get a better picture if you have more light.
Stop the camera by releasing the trigger. Hold up a card with text to convey dialogue, as they did in the old silent films. Press the trigger again to film the card. The jerky pops of light inherent in this stop-and-start technique give an authentic silent-film look.
Process your Super 8 film. In the United States, the primary labs that process Super 8 mm film are in Los Angeles, Pac Lab in New York City and Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kansas. You will receive a work print and a digital version of your silent film, if desired.