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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

ipad vs laptop

M

Mark David

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Loved to here some opinions before I pull the trigger.

Considering getting an ipad to do the following:

1) Screenwriting when I am not in the office w/wireless keyboard

2) View QT animatics on set of storyboards/directing notes etc.

3) Possible wireless monitor solution as well?

Those are my 3 main objectives, but I just found out that Final Draft hasn't been released yet as an APP for the ipad but is coming shortly.

My question is, when hooked up to a wireless keyboard do I have access to full screen viewing as I type. Meaning when the keyboard is activated, does the "on-screen keyboard" take up space on the screen or do I have access to full screen when typing.

I had a chance to use one awhile back but never checked and would like to purchase one before my vacation which is coming up shortly.

My other option is to buy a used laptop. I would still be using it for the above mentioned but it's more expensive and quite a bit bigger.

Any other filmmaking related tools I should be considering for the iPad ? Anyone have any experiencing screenwriting on an iPad?

Cheers.
 
The iPad will be okay if you go away for a couple of days, but it is not so great if you're depending on it as a work computer.

The ipad is great for a number of reasons:
- it is simple and works
- battery lasts 10 hours
- small, portable
- touchscreen: much better for hand holding

What is not so great:
- no file system, everything has to be done through iTunes or internet which is slow and annoying
- for selecting text, copy/paste and jumping to another line a mouse is still best and a touchscreen just doesn't work well
- limited viewing of video on the web, sometimes it works, sometimes not
 
I loved my iPad; it does many things so very well, such as portfolio presentation and I really enjoyed using apps like the big stopwatch on the set.

I have moved on, however, to the MacBook Air. 13", 4 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, and a battery that lasts for well over five hours. It does almost everything the iPad does, it's only very slightly larger, and has far, far more functionality.

With the Air, I can write, spreadsheet, database, present, and even do Photoshop in something so small it's quite amazing. Just typing on the iPad virtual keyboard is acceptable only for very brief entries, and if you have to lug around an extra keyboard, you've lost the advantage of a small footprint.

I actually may pick up another iPad to use on the set, but I'll wait for the next generation.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo
 
I have fallen in love with it, not for computing tasks of any magnitude, but for "everything else".

Had really written this thing off, more or less untill I was given one... et voila.

I think we need more iPads in the household...
 
Yep, bluetooth keyboard works nicely and the Apple one is very compact. The on screen keyboard does hide when using it and comes back when you disconnect.

Uses to date:

Portfolio for client presentations. Even casual "hey look at this video I just did" has Wow Factor
Taking notes on set.
Browsing Menus for lunch.
Catching up on emails.
Feeding my RedUser addiction.
Download Movies for the boy to watch on airplanes.
Pandora Server.
Goofy but fun virtual Slate
Great to have a bigger Calendar than iPhone
Nice Map app
Doubles as Kindle (and I've been reading way more lately)
I have the Red One ops guide pdf in iBooks and Red: The Ultimate Guide in Kindle
Great prop for models who don't know what to do with their hands
Etc, etc, yada, yada

CB
 
my iPad has been invaluable to me in filmmaking and personal life. Here are just some of the filmmaking apps i use:

Writing:
celtx - for screen writing, it's no final draft, but does a decent job
index card - for organizing and developing story concepts, outlines, ideas, etc..
* I write with the touch keyboard. I find that carrying a physical keyboard around sort of defeats the mobility, lightweight, and compact benefits of just carrying the iPad around. It only took me a week or two to get used to doing serious typing on the screen. Once you get use to it, it's a breeze.

Sketch:
adobe ideas - free
artstudio - very powerful
clip sketch - for diagrams and blocking
noterize - it's a note taking app, but does great for simple storyboard drawings, fast and simple and gets the job done.

production:
movieslate - worth every penny, and updates keep getting better (slate, sync, logs, and exports fcp xml)
clinometer - for leveling

post:
vWave-lite - beta version, free color control surface for Apple Color, waiting on full version soon
Desktop connect - remotely control your computer or to monitor rendering jobs
Dropbox - share files to and from any device. Great for those long renders: drop it in a folder and then view it when it's done on your mobile device.


others:
evernote - free cloud sync app, great for jotting down those random ideas that pop in your in head
netflix - self explanatory
and a ton of pdf and screenplay readers
... and the list goes on


and for monitoring: teradek has options, and Red has hinted on h264 module streaming to multiple iPads.
 
Man you guys rock!

Great insight, thanks.

I was looking at macbook air's but the cost isn't practical for me at this point.

I also realized that the ipad can be hooked up to external monitors, which can come in real handy for writing.

I use iCal religiously on my iphone, I can see it being a big benefit on a larger screen with the iPad.

Going to go ahead and pull the trigger and if it's not meeting my needs can always sell it again.

Thanks again!
 
So I picked up an iPad, found a great deal and haven't looked back. Typing isn't a problem, not sure if I will need an external keyboard.

A bit of a learning curve due to it having no file system though. Having to figure out a way to convert Final Draft files so they're useable in Celtx is a little annoying and a producer just sent me a link to preview a file thru sendspace and it won't play etc.

Anyone recommend a good system for previewing footage quickly between clients and producers? Or any tips when going back and forth between celtx and final draft.

Thanks!
 
For anyone who finds the lack of regular operating system filing features an issue on the iPad - you have to get Goodreader.

This like $3 app gives you an awesome PDF/Document reader, with full folder/file organization, and also allows you to set up adhoc networks with any wifi enabled computer to transfer files (or just jump on a regular wifi if your routers security settings aren't too restrictive.)

Basically, for a few bucks you can turn your iPad from a appliance to something that pretty closely resembles a laptop - I highly recommend it.
 
Sanjin Jukic said:
Wouldn't say like that because first it weights one kilo...

Replied from iPad.

Also have MB Air 13" but that's a computer...
Click to expand...
I see (and have really weighted it, believe me ;-) your point Sanjin, but the difference to the 3G model is only 0.27 kg, c'mon...

Moreover, you will be able to have a full function computer with all apps you're used to at the office in your touchscreen hands.

You won't have video conference going with the iPad unless you have the iPhone (but N8 beats the Apple all the way IMHO, especially as net coverage without mention the little 12 megapixel image acquisition device :-)

E. :-)
 
Emanuel.

I stayed off the Pad for those very reasons. But when I got one, it quickly became obvious that this is just something else. Not a small scale computer or a larger scale telephone...

the "difference" is obviously in the loved/hated appstore environment...
 
Testing...

Testing...

Going to give Goodreader a shot. I actually like how the iPad is app dependent over a file system workflow.

With no real "file system" in place it feels like I have the opportunity to set up the iPad for how I best see it's uses since it's so flexible. Choosing apps that best fit my work style is liberating and fun, but adds to a longer learning curve.

What really kills me is no Final Draft yet, jumping from .celtx to final draft back to .celtx has made for an awkward work flow between me and my producer, since we use the "note" feature in Final Draft when working on scripts.
 
David, have you tried Scripts Pro? It says it supports importing Final Draft 8 .FDX and CeltX files. -> http://www.scriptsapp.com/

And this online tool might also be a solution for you and your producer:
http://scripped.com/

And this online tool is soon to come but I heard it has some great features to blow Final Draft out of its water:
https://loglineapp.com/
 
Hey Robert,

Saw ScriptPro in the APP store. Bought Celtx but am not using it, so I will probably give ScriptPro a try and check out the other links, cheers!
 
i have an Ipad.
it is great for a lot (prompter bodelin, viewer, reading,playing,...) but when i get the terradeck i understood that it was not usable because of the http stream that makes about 10 sec offsync.
when using the prompter, i can only use internet to put a simple text on it : no usb key, no other choices than the itunes base, and that is very frustrating

then i saw the macbook air 11' :
- nearly the same size and weight than the ipad
- same time for boot (no boot in fact with the ssd)
- only 1 sec ofsync with the terradeck and i can record !!

Since i get it, i spend more time with it than with the ipad


Olivier
 
I see the iPad as more of an entertainment device. I would not rely on it for anything work related. I prefer to use my MacBook Pro or netbook for work
 
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