Free Scripting & Pre-production management software

[EssentialParadox]

Many of you probably already know about Celtx, but I thought I'd post it in case anyone who doesn't already know it may benefit from it.

It's a free all-in-one pre-production software package for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It allows you to:

- Write screenplays allowing you to format them correctly.
- You can storyboard and pre-visualize within the program.
- Research and organizing tools.
- Scheduling.
- Upload the project to a centralized location for online collaborations.





It isn't just standard screenplays. You can also plan out AV scripts (music videos, documentaries, advertising), stageplays, audio plays, and comic books within the software.

I'm missing out loads of the features and functionality of the program so I'll just let you check it out for yourself if you think it looks useful to you. There is pretty-much everything you need in one place to keep all details for film project all the way through to production stages. I'm loving it myself and I felt it deserved more attention, especially as it's entirely free!

Download from: http://www.celtx.com

[1]

Great stuff, and thanks for posting it.

I've made this a STICKY thread.

[Rikki]

I saw this in someones sig, might have been yours, and was going to look more into it.

Very impressive to say the least!

[EssentialParadox]

I don't expect anyone to go and test the software if you're not in the process of making any productions right now – it takes the fun out of it! But when you are about to write a script or organize a shoot, you know where this topic is. I'd love to see people's feedback after using the software.

And Rikki - it probably was my sig!…

[fishops]

I'm doing a music video in a month, Imma download and take a look!

[NotPhil]

Many of you probably already know about Celtx

Is this a web application? The software you download looks an awful lot like Firefox to me.

Do you know if your files stored on your computer or on the Celtx server? And can you connect to the apps using any browser, or do you have to use Celtx'?

(I looked through their FAQ, and it doesn't address any of these questions, except to say that you can publish your files on a server called Project Central for other people to see and modify, using the same software.)

[EssentialParadox]

Not to sound mean, but did you actually download and run the software before deciding it looked like Firefox?

The files are stored on your computer, yes. (unless you wish to make a collaborative project that is on a server). No, it's not a web application. It's like Microsoft Office… but for film-making.

[NotPhil]

Not to sound mean, but did you actually download and run the software before deciding it looked like Firefox?

I downloaded it, but decided not to run it, because, as I said, it looked just like my Firefox installation. So, I decided to ask a few questions before letting it run.

Hacked-up network clients which connect to a server without telling the user are usually bad news.

The files are stored on your computer, yes. (unless you wish to make a collaborative project that is on a server).

Good. Even benign web apps irritate me because you can't access your work when the network is having problems and you can't guarantee that your work is secure when it's on someone else's machine.

No, it's not a web application. It's like Microsoft Office… but for film-making.

Office isn't a client-server app, which Celtx' Wikipedia page says Celtx is. The page also says it uses HTML, XML, and RDF, which are all web protocols.

No offense, but can you tell me if you've ever used it offline (with your network connection severed)?

[lotrfan]

I downloaded it, but decided not to run it, because, as I said, it looked just like my Firefox installation. So, I decided to ask a few questions before letting it run.

Hacked-up network clients which connect to a server without telling the user are usually bad news.Good. Even benign web apps irritate me because you can't access your work when the network is having problems and you can't guarantee that your work is secure when it's on someone else's machine.Office isn't a client-server app, which Celtx' Wikipedia page says Celtx is. The page also says it uses HTML, XML, and RDF, which are all web protocols.

No offense, but can you tell me if you've ever used it offline (with your network connection severed)?

I've used Celtx and all your information is definitely stored on your computer; it is not a web app. Celtx looks a lot like Firefox because it is based off of it, which also explains why it uses HTML and XML, which is irrelevant anyways since EP had mentioned earlier that it is, in fact, a local program. It does connect to a server, but that's only when you share your project and perhaps with a few other functions I'm not too familiar with. If you are just using it as a screenwriting/scheduling program without connecting to the server, it is, for all intents and purposes, Microsoft Office for film production.

[NotPhil]

I've used Celtx and all your information is definitely stored on your computer; it is not a web app. Celtx looks a lot like Firefox because it is based off of it, [...] It does connect to a server, but that's only when you share your project and perhaps with a few other functions I'm not too familiar with.

Okay, thanks. I'll give it spin.

[DaFireMedic]

I'm in the process of trying it out for an EMS video I'm producing. I like the storyboard function so far. I may use it for my script as well. I'll be checking out how easy it is to access and edit my info, as well as print stuff out, but it looks really good so far.

I've actually had the software on my computer for a few months, but you just reminded me to try it out. Thanks again for posting it.

[scotthampton]

Dudes,
I've been using Celtx for several months now, and it is, indeed, a dynamite app. I'm waiting for an iPhone version of it, too.

But, it DOES access the Celtx servers, even though the files are stored locally. When you click the Format tab, it does that via server-side scripting/formatting. Unplug your Ethernet cable and try to format a local script.

Aside from that, the program is amazing. I was already set to format a bunch of documents by hand, ,using Pages to set up the styles, tabs, and all of that; InDesign to set up storyboards, formatting, and more; Numbers to set up production schedules; and maybe iPhoto for assets like pictures and video snippets. It's all in one spot with Celtx, and for free. Wonderful app. I love it.

[fishops]

I'm doing a music video in a month, Imma download and take a look!

Well I'm now in post on that video I was talking about and holy crap Celtx is awesome. Preproduction was much easier. I was able to send out a celtx file containing the treatment, shot list, location stills, production schedule, equipment, cast and crew lists and an mp3 of the song. Having everything in one file anyone can open is incredible. This is one of those things I'll end up using for every production I do.

The only thing it doesn't do that I wished it did was budgets. You still have to go out to Excel for that, but at least you can embed the excel file in the celtx file. I absolutely can't recommend this software highly enough.

[scotthampton]

I use it for little films. As a matter of fact, I export the whole thing as a PDF and keep of on my iPhone I have it in my hand on set and don't worry about rustling the shot list and storyboards while I work the camera

[cap10kirk]

I use this as well. It's very good.

[fishops]

No offense, but can you tell me if you've ever used it offline (with your network connection severed)?

Just to be perfectly clear, Celtx works fine without an internet connection. All of the web-based collaboration functions are purely optional, and it does not upload or download anything without the specific consent of the user. The web-based stuff is an optional addon, not central to the function of the program.

[dWyZaK]

I started using this last week after seeing it in OP sig.

I'm organising a documentary in it and its awesome.

It really helps to un-clutter the mind by having all your ideas and resources in one tidy, convenient place.

Only just started with it but feeling its benefits already, highly recommended.

[orchidsofwrath]

I used celtx for a 15 minute short i just completed. VERY useful. Will save all kinds of different file types right in the project file (doesn't make a file reference so you don't need to worry about keeping everything in its directory).
Even if you just use it for writing scripts its so awesome. Its really intuitive and does all the formatting stuff for you. Also makes scene management and story rearangment really easy. I'll use this program for all future productions.

[steve]

Celtx is FANTASTIC!! I love it. I'm at 71min on a script I'v been working on since may. And this program has been a God send. It really allows you to stay in the creative process rather than having to think about formatting and all the rest of it.

[Philafront]

hey thanks a lot for this. im dl'ing right now and plan to test it out at a production meeting this afternoon

[Philafront]

ok after using it for about 30 minutes just now, I can already tell that this is helping me immensely, not only with structuring, but also in reminding me of stuff that I may forget. and I'm particularly eager to try out the online collaboration functions, they look like they'd be really useful for exactly what I'm doing, as its not always easy to coordinate schedules.

Wonderful piece of software, all the more impressive since its free!

[NotPhil]

Just to be perfectly clear, Celtx works fine without an internet connection. All of the web-based collaboration functions are purely optional, and it does not upload or download anything without the specific consent of the user. The web-based stuff is an optional addon, not central to the function of the program.

According to Celtx' website, script formatting is done on their server:

TypeSet provides precise automatic formatting of your script to industry and international standards. The Celtx server uses the very powerful LaTex typesetting tool to deliver perfectly formatted scripts.

And scotthamptom confirms this in his post, above:

it DOES access the Celtx servers, even though the files are stored locally. When you click the Format tab, it does that via server-side scripting/formatting. Unplug your Ethernet cable and try to format a local script.

This may or may not bother you, but both you and the Celtix server must be online for a basic function.

[fishops]

According to Celtx' website, script formatting is done on their server:And scotthamptom confirms this in his post, above:This may or may not bother you, but both you and the Celtix server must be online for a basic function.

I just unplugged my network cable and made sure wireless was off, then tried reformatting a script. Worked perfectly fine. Also, I run LittleSnitch, and I can confirm that Celtx never attempted to make a network connection of any sort. I often use Celtx on bus trips where I have no internet access at all, and every function works fine. Try it out yourself!

[Rikki]

I installed it and ESET Security said it was trying to access the internet so I just blocked all that.

[Willowsman]

Sounds good. So how do they make their $$ from it?