Celtx (Free Pre-Production Software) Releases 1.0 Version

Celtx just released the 1.0 version of their pre-production software. I personally have not used Celtx since their 0.9.7 version and I was only utilizing the Screenwriting feature. This new release has so many new features that I think is worth checking out – and it’s still free! You can download it here.

Some of their new features include Storyboarding, and upgraded Project Scheduling tool that integrates with the script breakdown, and an iPhone tool that allows you to view your Celtx projects on your iPhone. There’s a lot more too. Every independent filmmaker on a budget would be wise to try this open platform tool that is – did I mention this – FREE!

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April Is Script Frenzy Month

If you need motivation to kick start your screenplay – join Script Frenzy‘s month long international writing event. Participants have to write 100 pages of scripted material in the month of April. There’s no fee to enter and there’s also no “valuable” prizes awarded. The real award will be the pride of finishing 100+ pages of your script. They’ll throw in a Script Frenzy Winner’s Certificate and web icon announcing your achievement. Some of last year’s participants have left comments on John August’s blog about their experience with the event.

Script Frenzy is affiliated with The Office of Letters and Light which also sponsors NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) – an event that challenges participants to write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November.

Also check out Script Frenzy’s Writer’s Resources page. It’s got several “how-to” and formatting guides.

Zhura: A New Online Collaborative Screenwriting Application

I just ran across a new online screenwriting application called Zhura. It offers free membership and is similar to the collaborative concept behind Celtx. Although Zhura doesn’t have all the pre-production features that Celtx provides, it simplifies the user experience by being an online application doesn’t require any software downloads and upgrades (also check out Plotbot and ScriptBuddy). Zhura’s editing tool allows you to format your script into an “industry standard” layout and if you need a hard copy or want to save it to your computer, you can convert it to a PDF or text (.txt) file. I definitely appreciate the way it maintains a complete history of your changes/revisions.

If you’re working with collaborators on your screenplay or just want to share your work for public feedback – this can be a very useful tool. Their motto is “Make it together.” It’s worth checking out.

The Dialogue Series: Screenwriter Interviews

I recently discovered a new (to me) screenwriter interview series called The Dialogue: Learning From the Masters (also available on Amazon and Netflix. Each 90 minute DVD has an exclusive interview with established screenwriters like Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby) [IMDB Info], Jim Uhls (Fight Club) [IMDB Info], Billy Ray (Shattered Glass, Color of Night) [IMDB Info] and several others. Each episode explores the craft of screenwriting via a one-on-one interview conducted by film industry veteran, Mike De Luca [IMDB Info].It’s interesting to see the different processes utilized by each screenwriter. For instance, Paul Haggis relies on outlines as a way to structure his thoughts and ideas when constructing his screenplays. He used this approach while developing the script for “Crash” – which began years after he was carjacked in real life. From there, he outlined a series of questions that led him to all the intersecting story lines that earned him an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Jim Uhls in the other hand despises outlines. Uhls feels that they restrict the creative process by making you “serve the outline” – which shuts down your intuitive side. His process involves taking copious notes for character development. This even includes writing fictional interview sessions with the characters. Uhls plays the part of the aggressive interviewer, who tries to push his characters buttons – revealing their true selves.

The Dialogue Series was released last year, but YouTube has a channel promoting it with 12 of the interviews in condensed 10 minute clips. Here are some of the notable ones – including the Haggis and Uhls samples that I’ve mentioned:

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Indie Director Tom DiCillo’s ‘Delirious’ Blog

Writer/Director, Tom DiCillo’s [IMDB info] new blog chronicles his journey through the creation and distribution of his latest film, Delirious. The film is a contemporary fable about a small time celebrity paparazzo, Les Gallantine (Steve Buscemi) who befriends a young homeless man, Toby Grace (Michael Pitt). Toby meets and falls in love with pop star K’Harma Leeds (Alison Lohman), causing jealousy and friction with Les. (check your local listings – it’s really worth seeing it in the big screen).

This is DiCillo’s first foray into the blogosphere but I feel if he continues with it beyond Delirious, it could be one of the essential reads for all aspirating filmmakers. In fact, I commented on his blog about that sentiment and Mr. DiCillo responded to my comment – “I will try to keep the blog going. It is helpful to me to put my thoughts and frustrations into something creative…”

I cannot summarize the passion and creativity of DiCillo’s blog posts (you need to check it out for yourselves), but I will highlight some of his shared insight into the filmmaking process of Delirious – and break it down into production categories:

Pre-Production

Screenplay – DiCillo’s idea for the script was motivated by the public’s addiction to celebrity and fame. He got the idea for the main character of the film after an encounter with a paparazzo in New York during the filming of The Real Blonde. The guy went into to the shot, trying to take a pic of Daryl Hannah – DiCillo almost strangled him. Years later, DiCillo ran into to this guy at a party; They hung out in NY and LA for 2 months and then he wrote the script.

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Great Screenwriting Resource Links

Since this is the beginning of this blog, I will start with the beginning of a film’s process. I will highlight the first category in filmmaking and list useful resources available for it on the Net. I will list a few samples with a brief description – the first being an obvious and well known site and then move to more obscure/less known sites.

SCREENWRITING – the first element of narrative filmmaking. I cannot say enough for the importance of this category, so I won’t. I’ll just begin with what I think is the best site for screenwriters and the process of screenwriting: johnaugust.com. John August [IMDB Info] gives great advice by answering reader-submitted questions and archives all the info. He also does this for IMDB in a column called “Ask A Filmmaker” along with director Penelope Spheeris [IMDB Info] and cinematographer Oliver Stapleton [IMDB Info]. Mr. August has written some big films like Go, Charlie’s Angels, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and just directed his first, The Nines. Johnaugust.com covers a lot about structure along with general rants. The site also has the quintessential screenwriting glossary.

Another great site for answering reader’s questions is “Hollywhooped” by David H. Steinberg [IMDB Info]. It’s part of the Done Deal Pro website, but it’s a free column available outside their subscriber membership. David answers more about the business of screenwriting and often applies a tough-love approach to his responses. So, if you’re thin-skinned and/or don’t spell-check your e-mails, be warned. If you really like getting abused, try “Ask Dick Hollywood” in Fade In Magazine.

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The Links Directory Is Up (Over 3,000 Filmmaking Links)

In the process of producing my first feature film, “Nothing Without You” (currently in the Development stage), I have compiled thousands of useful links to filmmaking resources. Here are the links in Filmlinker’s Links Directory – broken down into the following categories & sub-categories:

+ SCREENWRITING – The start of it all. Every screenwriting website that I could find is here. It includes educational information, software, professional screenwriter’s blogs, online magazines, articles, etc.

- Writing & Reference – This is a natural sub- category to Screenwriting. It includes many reference sites, info on writing structure, all around multiple sources of information on various fields that will help writers fill in the blanks of their work.

+ PRE-PRODUCTION – The plan starts here. This is such a multi-faceted category; I’ve included several elements which contain all the film directories, manuals, and general resource sites that I think can be useful to all filmmakers. Plus, budgeting resources, film analysis sites (that can help with your business plan), pre-pro software sites, etc.

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