Storyboard & Script software
 

I have nice but separate storyboard and script-writing software. What I'd like to find is a package that merges these two facets of pre-production into one easy to use package.

I am making an instructional video where I am using pictures and text supplied by the manufacturer of the product to create a storyboard for review. But I need a two-column layout where the picture and the accompanying text are shown side-by-side.

Any ideas?

I can always devolve to using tables in Word, I suppose.

Are you Mac or PC Mike?

Jeff

Sorry,

PC, Win 2000 Pro & Win 98 SE

I have associates using some of these products http://www.powerproduction.com/ I wasn't sure they supported Windows, but a quick check of their site and I see they do.

Jeff

Thanks.

I looked at them and they may be what I need.

Mike,

I searched for storyboarding software recently and what Jeff found is the best I found, too.

I've heard of one program that allows you to do a complete "photo" storyboard with a digital camera, that imports them into templates in order and then allows you to type into spaces next to the photos. Didn't track it down, though.

Anyone know about it?

P.S.
//I just looked at the software above again, and it DOES allow you to import photos and use them as the background. Sounds better than I originally thought.

What I especially like about it is that it will import a script, separating scenes out according to some formatting rules and leaving a frame for a graphic at each clip.

Yah, it's like zero learning curve. Everything is straight forward and right where you would expect it to be. I used an old trial version and was very impressed. But I'm not a writer, so the price was too much for my limited use. I do have several associates who primarily write and script and they love it. For the limited writing I do I use Final Draft or MS Word. it just depends on the formatting.

Jeff

Know of a good place to purchase this software? Directly from the company is full-price. I've found it for $204 but only for the Mac platform.

Sorry, I only know the Mac stuff. Aren't there any discount PC dealers?

Jeff

Lot of them. Just not many carry this type of software.

I've got a message into one of them requesting academic prices since I work at a community college and am also a student.

I've been fiddling a bit with FinalDraft, seems to work pretty
well. You can get a demo at http://www.finaldraft.com/

Rob,

I second that. I've had Final Draft since their very first release...and I love it. They have another version, the "AV" version that allows two-column structure. Didn't mention it earlier since Mike wants to import pictures also.

*Isn't it cool assigning voices to the different characters and letting the computer read it back to you?

If anyone is keen on something pretty crazy, there is Dramatica Pro from http://www.dramatica.com. They have several products one of them being a comprehensive story creation program that explains theory and helps you actually develop your story. I've played around with a demo ver a while ago and it was too intense for my use but others might like it.

I actually missed that picture request. My bad. They do have a
new version out of most of their products. I haven't checked
them out yet, so I do not know if they support two column stuff
with pictures.... But if you want to know you can quickly download
a demo from FinalDraft and FinalDraft AV from their site.

Cheers.

PowerProduction Software has released a new version of StoryBoard Quick today http://www.powerproduction.com/ It works with both Windows and OS X

Jeff

I came across this storyboard software on the net yesterday. It seems pretty basic, but it is FREE. And it's available for Mac (X and 9) and PC.

http://www.atomiclearning.com/freestoryboard.shtml

...
 

Heya,

For script writing i like to use Final Draft 6, and for my storyboarding i like to use 3D Studio Max 5. I like to do my storyboards in 3d and animate them because it gives me 100% control over the image, including lighting, focal lenght, depth of field, motion blur, camera movement, set building and much more.

Hey Bryan!

That's actually not a bad idea at all... Maybe I should get my
LightWave out of the closet again. Hmmm.. interesting!

Thanks!

Hey Rob!

Yeah would be a good idea to give it a spin. You should look into other packages too though for this kind of work. For example Lightwave is a good package altough i find it a bit too clumsy, and especially for pre-viz character work. For that reason i went with Max, Max 5 has Character Studio 3 built in so you can easily add characters in the scene and make them move around real easy. I'm busy developing my whole short in 3d right now as we speak, if your interested i could try and put those movies up on my site so you guys could see the progress? I'd be happy to do it for you guys. www.50yearsandamoment.tk for the link BTW.

C ya!

I think that would be very interesting indeed. Put em up! And you'll
probably get some feedback from some people as well.

Good luck!

:|
 

Heya,

Actually i haven't modeled much in 3d now, im putting some sketches on paper. I was busy sketching a house today :-). Here are two files.... (one contains the rough sketch and one contains some details).

http://www.50yearsandamoment.isgreat.tv/temp/house%20sketch1.jpg

http://www.50yearsandamoment.isgreat.tv/temp/Window, pillar, balconydoor.jpg

The site does give an error but just press the button at the bottom of the error page and it will take you to the pic!

*nm*

Poser is popular among some folks. Much easier to master than a full blown 3D animation app. If full blown, the get Animation Master, one of the best 3d character animation programs on earth.

http://www.hash.com Animation master
http://www.curiouslabs.com Poser 5

Are there any newer storyboarding software out there now? Just thought about it recently. Wouldn't mind checking one out.

Revisiting this cause I'm on the look out or some software but I couldn't find any Trial version of Storyboard quick and they're one of these companies that don't return emails.

So did I miss it or does anyone know of any other location where a demo version is available?

Cheers
Aaron

If you're interested in 3D storyboarding and want software which is similar to Poser but truly adapted to storyboarding you really ought to try out the all new FrameForge 3D Studio.

It is very impressive. You set the stage with the included 3D characters, sets, props, place your cameras, define shots and then export your stoyboard. Every set can be saved for future use, characters can be given any specific pose, etc. You can also import your script and link locations with sets, descriptions with specific shots...

The software is a bit expensive ($349) but you can check out a demo version.

Still not as fast as storyboading with a pencil and paper, but very impressive nevertheless ! ;-)

www.frameforge3d.com

I'll check that out. It might not be as fast, but it will look better than my sketches ;) I think I need to take some drawing classes or something.

Aaron

For Lady X I did some very quick ones using Illustrator and a Wacom graphics tablet. My freehand drawing is pretty poor but all I wanted to get across was various fight moves. The difference between using my method and plain paper templates is that I could erase and cut and paste to save time.

I really enjoy using Scriptware. It's a snap to learn, and after you register you can load the software onto all of your computers. I'm not sure if it is as feature packed as Final Draft, but it definitely gets the job done.