Tip: Remote Screenwriting

Modern technology can sure make life easier. With computers, smartphones and the internet your world is wide open to possibilities. Take screenwriting. In this tip episode, I share an easy way to work on your script whether you are at home, on the road, or even at work. And while you may need specialized software to finish, you only need the simplest kind to get started.

Celtx screenwriting software
http://celtx.com/index.html

Fade In screenwriting software
http://www.fadeinpro.com/

Dropbox online storage
https://www.dropbox.com/

Prolost: Screenplay Markdown Lives!
http://prolost.com/spmdlives

DV Rebel's Guide
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0321413644/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Screenplain
http://screenplain.appspot.com/

Test Script:

INT. SMALLISH APARTMENT - DAY

A tall and lanky SCOTT EGGLESTON (40s), sits at a cluttered countertop feverishly pecking away at his laptop. A small cell phone with a cracked screen sits next to the computer.

The phone vibrates and begins a slow creep toward the edge of the countertop. It falls and is caught in mid-air by a bony hand.

SCOTT
(into phone)
Yello! No, I'm not here. Call me back and leave a voicemail, k? I'm right in the middle of something.

The phone hits the counter with a crack. The typing resumes.

Recap: New Stuff on Wednesday or Thursday?

RSS readers: Click on the title above to watch the hidden video.

Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/thefrugalfilmmaker/
Twitter Feed: http://www.twitter.com/frugalfilmmaker

Panasonic HX-DC1 (same as Sanyo XACTI VPC-CG20) $168 (pink!)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/764660-REG/Panasonic_HX_DC1P_HX_DC1_HD_...

Sony Movie Studio HD, $36
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CGDAL8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Sony Movie Studio HD Platinum, $48 (includes color correction tools)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051M6I9O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

PVC ratcheting pipe cutter (Amazon), $8.50
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005519DM0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

PVC ratcheting pipe cutter (Harbor Freight Tools), $3.50
http://www.harborfreight.com/ratchet-action-hose-pvc-pipe-cutter-39749.html

Sima Quickonnect
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JQ6C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Rosco Cinegel Quarter Blue (1/4 CTB), 20"x24"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B73P7W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Roscolux 1/4 tough white diffusion, 20"x24"
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B73OQY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Building a DIY mini camera crane
http://youtu.be/UKuYsBMszJw

60 hours per minute and 4 billion views a day on YouTube
http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2012/01/holy-nyans-60-hours-per-minute-and...

Rick Dobrowski's stabilizer rig for underwater camera housing
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150537661074731&set=o.3343687560...

Bob Dorn's frugal light stand and "frugalfuser"
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2631123589743&set=o.334368756043&a...

Merlin-style Steadicam part I, the gimble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnDsh24gBo0&feature=g-upl&context=G207...

3 simple tips for filming without lights (interior)
http://filmcameracourse.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/3-simple-rules-for-filming-w...

Cheap microphone! Audio-Technica ATR 6250 or ATR 25 (with test)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-cqfSNHDrk&feature=share

Wayne Poe's PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=353858447959005&set=o.334368756043...

Building a flexible top handle rig
http://vimeo.com/35578183

DIY cam slider
http://vimeo.com/35630007

Free Filmmakers and Acting Talent Network
http://www.facebook.com/groups/356266777718975/

Noah Goodman's PVC shoulder rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=362710560422972&set=o.334368756043...

How to add lens threads to your JVC GZ-MS230
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHGbX5bsops

Wayne Poe's method for adding external LED light to PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=356193681058815&set=o.334368756043...

DIY mic blimp rubberband assembly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv9-n8CvnMw

Tamara Stampone's PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=815060430538&set=o.334368756043&am...

DIY hotshoe adapter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUKYJN9f0g&feature=colike

Mike Lefebvre's PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150515321753742&set=o.3343687560...

43" 5-in-1 collapsible multi-disk light reflector for $12.95
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZIMEMW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

4 sandbags for $22 (sand not included)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AHALEC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

How to create smoke for photography out of liquid
http://fstoppers.com/production-trick-how-to-create-smoke-for-photography-out...

Rui Silva's PVC shoulder mount
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2256586553647&set=o.334368756043&a...

Small LED light panel showdown
http://youtu.be/JvYD4QyqPQM

Donald Wren's FigRig clone
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2971824088665&set=o.334368756043&a...

Olle Aranas' suction cup mount
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150517729629562&set=o.3343687560...

Donald Wren's tripod mount for his PVC stabilizer rig
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2972341221593&set=o.334368756043&a...

The Making of "Temp Insanity"

By popular demand, here is a "Making of" show covering my last short film, "Temp Insanity". I always learn a ton of stuff on every movie I make and I hope there is something here that could be useful to others. The smartest thing I did on this shoot was secure a real office (one that had been denied to other students previously) for a location. The dumbest? I wasn't aware the sun coming in a prominent window wouldn't be down at the start of shooting, which caused a one hour delay.

I've also included the screenplay in a normal .pdf and Celtx version (which also includes my sitck-man storyboards). If you don't know what Celtx is, it's free screenwriting and pre-production software that runs on any platform.

If you like the title font, here's where I found it.

Recap: Best Entry-Level Camera?

RSS readers: click on the title above to watch the hidden video.

Spring Double Eagle M41A G36 Rifle Airsoft Gun
http://www.hobbytron.com/SpringDoubleEagleM41AG36RifleAirsoftGun.html

Best entry-level filmmaker camera for $80 (Sanyo XACTI VPC-CG20)
http://filmflap.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-entry-level-filmmaker-camera-for.html

800 watt portable generator
http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator...

Noob shockmount adapter
http://www.dslrfilmnoob.com/noob-store/

Cowboy Studio professional tripod dolly
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UA2H9A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Getting better as a director: The power of collaboration
http://nofilmschool.com/2012/01/director-power-collaboration/

Rode introduces two microphones with built-in recorders
http://cheesycam.com/rode-introduces-two-new-microphones-built-in-digital-rec...

Camera Flo Pod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G7_18Eiu2M&feature=g-u&context=G27555...

PVC to camera shoe adapter
http://filmflap.blogspot.com/2012/01/pvc-to-camera-shoe-adapter.html?spref=fb

Justin Loga's PVC stabilizer "battering ram-cam"
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1774908108150&set=o.334368756043&a...

Halogen work light for under $10
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bayco-500-Watt-Halogen-Project-Work-Light/14003469

Sima Quickonnect for $8.57
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JQ6C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

Vivitar Steady Pod (mini-tripod/hand grip) for $5.40
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046SKZ1G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

$25 DIY double shoulder mount
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOVswSEXsYk&list=UU6P24bhhCmMPOcujA9PKPTA

David Stembridge's DIY shoulder mount
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2894456794890&set=oa.1015048516848...

7 tips for HD and DSLR color correction
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HurlbutVisuals/~3/Cj20Qf_PADw/

Cowboy Studio shoulder mount for $16.44
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036NMQ7S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

DIY ring light - $20 filmmaker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIeLyeWplJU

Humphrey Bande's PVC track dolly
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150492981493364&set=oa.101504862...

Really cheap microphone bracket
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF8bG5xn_fQ&feature=share

Andres Alonso Larrea Burneo's DIY crutch cam!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150543971058917&set=oa.101504870...

YouTube's "Your Film Festival"
http://nofilmschool.com/2012/01/enter-short-youtubes-your-film-festival/

Chris Butterfield's Pocket Cam Crane
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=351216361556190&set=o.334368756043...

Collin Baker's Cowboy Studio shoulder mount
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150717438404554&set=oa.101504855...

Andrew Seitz' PVC stabilizer rig light
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=256131591127202&set=o.334368756043...

PVC to Camera Shoe Adapter

One thing I've always wanted to make was some way of connecting my DIY mic shockmount directly to the top of my camera. Sometimes you need a full rig of stuff to complement your camera and sometimes you just need one thing. This is a case of a simple adapter to hold a mic (or any PVC project) to the top of a camera. It can get more complex, of course, but that is up to you.

PARTS LIST

Opteka Canon Mini "Advanced" Shoe to Universal Shoe Mount
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047V5NM8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=t...

1/4"-20 Tripod Mount Screw to Flash Hot Shoe Adapter
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pro-1-4-20-Tripod-Mount-Screw-Flash-Hot-Shoe-Adapter-...

1/2" PVC plug
http://www.lowes.com/pd_22679-1815-449005RMC_0__?productId=3371454&Ntt=1%...

1/4" hex nut
1/4" lock washer