NoFilmSchool » apps

Video Editors, How Do You Manage Disk Space? One Neat Solution: DaisyDisk

Ryan Koo — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:14:28 +0000

Video takes up a lot of hard drive space. HD video more so than SD, 4K more than HD… and since the flooding in Thailand, hard drive prices have spiked precipitously. So there’s always room in an editor’s toolkit for an app to analyze drive space and zero in on the largest directories to delete or move. Similar to my approach to tracking time, freeing up space is all about focusing on what’s important: in this case, the largest files. DaisyDisk is a paid Mac app that I find myself using frequently; here’s a review from NextUpMac (and a free alternative). (more…)

Pomfort Makes Handy-Looking Mac Apps for DSLR (and Higher End) Filmmakers

Ryan Koo — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:38:28 +0000

Pomfort makes a number of interesting Mac tools for DSLR and indie filmmakers. I went to their site to check out DSLR Log2Video Plugin, a $29 plugin for working with DSLR footage shot with Canon’s CineStyle picture profile. The plugin is a part of the $129 Silverstack LT H.264, which I found myself evaluating as a tool for offloading and backing up DSLR-originated projects. Silverstack LT is, in turn, the limited version of the $825 data wrangling workflow aid Silverstack SET, which adds advanced features and support for the ARRI ALEXA and RED cameras. Then I found myself checking out their MamboFrame, which turns an iPad into real, physical clapper sticks — it’s not just an app: (more…)

Adobe Takes 'Story' to the Next Level (the Mobile Level)

Ryan Koo — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 18:30:53 +0000

In-the-cloud screenwriting app Adobe Story is free until April 12th, 2012. I got a chance to use it recently (instead of my normal app — and industry standard — Final Draft) because I was in search of a two-column, A/V writing layout and I find Celtx’s A/V mode disappointing. In the process I found out Story now has an iPhone app that’s also free. Unlike the mobile version of Celtx, Story doesn’t let you edit the screenplay through iOS, but it does let you read scripts, add comments, read notes from others, and sync everything to the cloud. Adobe’s making a play to offer a complete script-to-screen solution, and Story is a central piece. Here’s the desktop version in action: (more…)

'DSLR Filmmaker Toolkit' Vies to Be the Swiss Army Knife of On-set iPhone Apps

Ryan Koo — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:14:24 +0000

DSLR Filmmaker Toolkit is a new app for iOS devices that combines a number of handy tools for, you guessed it, DSLR filmmakers. Current features include an electronic slate, shot log, depth-of-field calculator, level (for dolly/slider shots), daylight calculator, director’s viewfinder and more. It’s priced at $7.99 and available now through iTunes. I can’t test it myself as I’m on Android, but here’s a look at the app in action: (more…)

Full Resolution Screenshots of Final Cut Pro X and the Importance of Overcoming Lock-In

Ryan Koo — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Some have pointed out that many of Final Cut Pro X’s much-lauded new features are not really that “new.” This backlash seems to happen with every Apple product, perhaps out of response to the rapturous reception with which Apple fanboys greet the superlative-laced presentations. In the case of FCP X, the criticism is that FCP X’s list of new features (seen on video) have been around for a while in other editing applications (notably Premiere and Vegas). But a list of features does not an editing program make. It’s not what features you include in a piece of software, it’s how you design them. Read on for some thoughts on intuitive design and a few full resolution screenshots of the new Final Cut Pro X. (more…)

Vimeo Launches iPhone App with Advanced Sharing and Editing Tools

Ryan Koo — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:19:59 +0000

Vimeo has had HTML5-enabled video for quite some time, which means all of their videos are viewable on iOS devices. But now they’ve released the official Vimeo iPhone app, which includes far more functionality than you’d expect from a first version. In fact, it looks as if the Vimeo app — which is free — could give the iOS version of iMovie a run for its money (which, it’s worth noting, is priced very affordably at $4.99). Here’s a look at the Vimeo application in action: (more…)

Independent Web Creatives: Get $6,000 of Software Tools for $99 with the SXSW 'Lean Startup Bundle'

Ryan Koo — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:22:51 +0000

I’m sure you’re aware that the music/film/interactive superfest SXSW is currently underway in Austin, Texas. Given this is a film-specific site, you’d expect me to cover the film festival portion of the festival, right? Well, it’s being well-covered by those who are actually in attendance. But I did want to share something related to the interactive side of the fest: a bundle of applications and software tools for startups and web entrepenuers. I get a fair number of questions from readers about monetizing a web site, so I figured this would be of interest to some of you: (more…)

Scenechronize is a Web-Based Tool for Production Professionals

Ryan Koo — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:43:58 +0000

Scenechronize is a browser-based production tool that breaks down scripts, prints sides, helps with scheduling, and does a number of other production tasks that I don’t have experience with myself. It looks similar to Movie Magic Budgeting, except Scenechronize is a web-based, and instead of a flat price of $500 it’s modular and is priced anywhere from free to $2,800. In the works since 2006, the program’s creators claim Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures are already using it. An example screen: (more…)

Apple Kills Physical Media with Launch of App Store

Ryan Koo — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:50:22 +0000

Many of us watch movies via Netflix, Hulu, and other services instead of ever waiting for a disc to spin up. And when’s the last time anyone went to a Blockbuster? With DVD winding down, Apple has famously sat out Blu-ray, with Steve Jobs calling the format a “bag of hurt.” With iTunes and Apple TV, Apple has worked towards eliminating the CD and DVD, respectively. Will the launch of today’s Mac App Store do the same for software on disc? (more…)

Use your Mobile Device to Control your DSLR with blueSLR or DSLR Camera Remote

Ryan Koo — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:16:39 +0000

blueSLR is a new application/dongle combination that allows you to control a DSLR using your mobile device. You plug a Bluetooth dongle into your Nikon DSLR (support for Canon is “coming soon”), pair it with your iOS device, and now you’ve got a remote control for your DSLR. The dongle also allows you to geotag your shots, as it adds location data. (more…)

Free Screenwriting App Celtx Goes Mobile (and Paid)

Ryan Koo — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:34:07 +0000

As a desktop screenwriting application, Celtx has never threatened industry stalwarts Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter, despite its advantage (in terms of adoption) of being free. However, it seems the just-released mobile version of Celtx is ahead of the game instead of playing catch-up. “Digital rebel” Stu Maschwitz kick off his post on Celtx with the following: (more…)

A Veritable Cornucopia of Apps for Filmmaking

Ryan Koo — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:47:22 +0000

One of the many items on my “to write” list is a “helpful applications for filmmakers” article. I was thinking if I spent some time on the Moon I could write all of these articles, but short of that (anyone who’s seen the Duncan Jones/Sam Rockwell film will know what I mean), there are just too many potential articles to crank out while also trying to make movies! Thankfully FilmmakerIQ and Filmmaker Magazine have both posted application roundups, which, as you can guess from the “filmmaker” in each publication’s name, focus on applications for filmmakers. Highlights from both articles include: (more…)

Google App Inventor for Android Means Your Next Film or Video Project Can Have an App - No Coding Required

Ryan Koo — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:06:25 +0000

As transmedia pioneer Lance Weiler recently wrote in the pages of Filmmaker, mobile devices “offer opportunities for filmmakers to reach audiences directly, with little to no intervention from middlemen. While the selling of a film on iTunes requires a filmmaker to go through one or maybe two aggregators, it is possible to go direct to the App Store as long as the mobile app receives approval from Apple.” But while Apple’s iOS requires approval, Google’s Android does not. Not only is Google’s app marketplace more open than Apple’s ecosystem, but Android has rapidly rising market share, and now Google is releasing App Inventor for Android, a new tool for creating applications with drag-and-drop simplicity — no coding (or approval) required. (more…)

Great new Android application for cinema/photographers: CamCalc

Ryan Koo — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:16:37 +0000

Next week I’ll be ~~modeling~~ shooting some of [REDACTED]‘s summer line on a Panasonic HPX2000.¹ [REDACTED] does an online virtual runway which, on the production side, consists of models walking in front of green screens; for the website, the green screens are later replaced with, you guessed it, runway. I started thinking about a runway configuration and how the models will be covering a fair amount of distance from back to front, requiring deep focus if they’re to look sharp the whole way (minor pun alert!). We’re not shooting on a 5D or anything so I’m not hugely concerned about an overly shallow depth of field, but why leave it up to chance? I turned to my trusty Android phone and searched the app market, where I discovered CamCalc, which has been downloaded less than 500 times (because it just came out) but looks to be an incredibly handy app for shooters. (more…)

Unless the gig falls through, which is usually why I don’t talk about work until it’s in the can.

Helpful App: Onyx

Ryan Koo — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

One of the supposed benefits of using a Mac is “it just works,” and I’ve generally found this to be true (as a relatively recent convert from years of problem-laden PCs). However, no matter how solid a computer’s foundation, once it’s got a few years worth of added applications, hardware changes, and operating system upgrades, there’s bound to be some virtual gunk that needs cleaning. My Macbook Pro is four years old and I’m asking it to edit 1080p video; to do this, it needs to be in midseason form, and the gym I’ve been sending it to is Titanium Software’s Onyx. Onyx allows you to “verify the Startup Disk and the structure of its System files, to run misc tasks of system maintenance, to configure the hidden parameters of the Finder, Dock and of some of Apple’s own applications, to delete caches, to remove a certain number of files and folders that may become cumbersome and more.”

Know of an alternative that’s better than Onyx? Let me know!

Link: Onyx

12 free apps for Mac creatives

Ryan Koo — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:18 +0000

Your Mac may make you look more like a designer or filmmaker, but beyond the basic functions of iLife, how do you write screenplays, record audio, develop websites, convert video and all the other productive stuff you bought a Mac for? What if you spent all your money on the hardware and don’t have any cash left for software? Luckily, there are plenty of creative applications available for the Mac for the price of free-99. Here are twelve apps worth a lot more than their price tag suggests. (more…)

Productivity in an age of constant connectivity

Ryan Koo — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:22:44 +0000

I affixed a quote from a GQ interview with Philip Roth into my writing notebook before leaving for Costa Rica; it seems especially relevant now that I’m trying to shut out New York City for considerable chunks of every day. (more…)