Modern day filmmakers are increasingly turning to apps to enhance their
capabilities as creative and efficient movie-makers. In this new Screen Africa
segment, we take a look at a few which are widely being used by professionals
around the world.
Sun Seeker
Publisher: ozPDA
Compatible devices: iOS, Android
Price: US$6.99
How it works: The Sun Seeker app is a location scouting tool for cinematographers
and DOPs. Using GPS and a magnetometer, the app is able to track the path of the
sun on any particular date at any location on earth. By holding a device with a
camera view up towards the sky, the app is able to plot the sun’s path on the
screen, displaying solar directional arrows for each hour of the day. This helps
determine how much sunlight is available at a particular spot and for how long.
Sun Seeker also offers additional useful information pertaining to sunrise, sunset
and culmination times as well as maximum elevation.
Why this is awesome: Understanding the nature of sunlight at an outdoor location is
a key pre-production process for filmmakers. The ability to determine when and
where shadows are going to appear on a subject and when the sun is going to be
obstructed in any way is essential in managing shooting time efficiently on set.
Furthermore, it instils a confidence in the production team and client that shots will
look their best.
Storyboard Composer HD
Publisher: Cinemek Inc.
Compatible devices: iOS
Price: US$29.99
How it works: Storyboard Composer HD is a go-to gadget for filmmakers looking to
plan the translation of a script into visual language. The app uses location photos or
images of rough versions of scenes taken by a user to create an animated story
board. Once images are uploaded, the user can order them, drop in animated actor
characters and add a number of motions to shots, including dolly, track, zoom and
pan. This can then be played back to show what the actual shots might look like.
These files can be saved to Cinemek servers and shared online with cast and crew
for a period of time or downloaded as a permanent copy.
Why this is awesome: This app is handy for those who aren’t the most skilled at
drawing as it does not require users to create the images themselves.
Storyboarding is an integral part of production, as it allows filmmakers to
effectively communicate their creative ideas, manage their time more efficiently on
set and ensure that no shots are forgotten or left out.
MovieSlate
Publisher: PureBlend Software
Compatible devices: iOS
Price: US$29.99
Available plug-ins: Timecode Sync, Sound Department, MultiCam
How it works: Simply put, MovieSlate is a digital clapperboard and production
information logging platform. The app indicates when a take commences and ends,
making it easy for an editor to synch up the sound and picture shots in post-
production. It also allows users to log production information – shot title, take,
director, cinematographer and what the scene is about – which serves to help the
editor as well. Filmmakers can make notes during or after a shot, mark where
there is good content to include in the edit and record real-time camera data from a
particular shot so that these settings can be re-applied for future work.
Why this is awesome: Keeping footage organised means the editing process can run
a lot smoother and quicker, as an editor doesn’t have to sift through a large number
of takes to find the best material. The app exports notes and logs in various file
formats so they can be conveniently ingested into a number of post-production
programmes.
Light Meter Tools
Publisher: WBPhoto
Compatible devices: Android
Price: US$2.99
How it works: Using a device’s camera and light sensor, the Light Meter Tools app
measures exposure, and features both incident light metering and reflected light
metering with spot metering. As well as these two meters, the app includes a
“Sunny Sixteen Calculator’ tool which allows users to manually adjust exposure
settings in difficult lighting scenarios and a depth of field calculator.
Why this is awesome:
Cinematographers and photographers need light meters to work out how bright a
certain light is, so that they can set the correct exposure on their cameras and
capture shots with sufficient detail in the image’s highlights and shadows. Having an
app on hand to execute this task also means one less piece of equipment for
filmmakers to carry around.
Using a filmmaking app you think we should know about? Tell us why you think it’s
awesome by emailing: carly@screenafrica.com.
