Wow, it’s a day of new releases for all the applications I use.    First Adobe releases version 1.2 of Lightroom and now Celtx, what I consider to be one of THE best scripting and pre-production applications out on the market today (and did I mention it’s free?), released a new version, version .995 (they are not even in version 1.0 and it’s amazing!) today with a host of new features and enhancements.

If you have not used and/or downloaded Celtx, stop reading this blog entry and go immediately to http://www.celtx.com and get your free copy.   They have versions for Windows, Mac and Linux (did I mention it’s free???)

 At its core, it’s a scripting application (think of it as Final Draft), but it is so much more then that.   The new version supports the following types of standard format scripts:

1. Screenplay
2. Stageplay
3. A/V Script
4. Audio Play
5. Text

You also have the ability to create story boards, production schedule and in each script you can tag characters, locations, props, actors, scene details, wardrobe, animals, cameras, CGI, construction, electrics, extras, greenery, hair, lights, plus tons of other items.

Once you tag these items, you can create break down sheets for your prop department, for your makeup artists, for lighting, etc.

 It’s an amazing program (and did I mention again that it’s free?).

As you edit your script, you can switch to TypeSet mode, which automatically reformats your script to international standards.  You can create index cards for each scene, add a title page and create different reports.

 As if that was not enough, you can create a production schedule and attach it to a particular script.  Then you will see at the top all your scenes (with locations) and you can just drag-and-drop those scenes into the calendar for scheduling. 

Celtx also offers what they call “web services”, which you have to have an account for (free again) which allows you to save “snapshots” of your scripts at different points and recall those snap-shots if you want to revert back to a different version (version control).  You can also publicly or privately share your script with other users (the entire community or only those people you want to see it).

All in all, Celtx is an amazing application, not because it’s free, but because of the power and flexibility is has.   I would pay for it if I had to (but, please, don’t start charging for it!)

Cheers!

- Marcelo

The Digital Media Dude

http://www.thedigitalmediadude/

http://www.marcelolewinphotography/