iPad for writing/project collaboration?

holymexicobatman

holymexicobatman

Well-known member
I've got a new blog post out, reviewing the iPad. How do you plan or don't plan on using the iPad on set, at the coffee house, in production meeting, etc?

Sure, most of us are still going to be using desktops and laptops to do the grunt work of a script or major piece of writing. But what about those quick changes on set that you want to collaborate with the guys back at the office? Wouldn't the iPad's 3G support enable more mobility with those situations?

And what about storybording? This opens up a whole new avenue for the crew's orginization on set.

IMHO, it could very well play a big role in furthering how we make movies.

Any opinions out there?
 
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Apparently you can use it to run a country. Here's the Norwegian prime minister working from his ipad while stuck at an airport because of the volcanic ash cloud--
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I filled out an online survey yesterday (on my iPad, of course) for Final Draft, regarding features I would like to see in their iPad version. So no doubt that product will be coming soon, and with a bluetooth keyboard, it would make a killer mobile screenwriting package.

--SM
 
stephenmick said:
I filled out an online survey yesterday (on my iPad, of course) for Final Draft, regarding features I would like to see in their iPad version. So no doubt that product will be coming soon, and with a bluetooth keyboard, it would make a killer mobile screenwriting package.

--SM
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Yea, I really think that as soon as that add that bluetooth keyboard/stand/whatever. The usefulness for writers is really going to increase. In an environment where rewrites during production abound and multiple locations are common, a 3G compatible mobile writing platform is golden.

Honestly, I think alot of people underestimate how great it could really be to carry one of these around a set for the script supervisor, director, production coordinator, etc.
 
When I was in Vegas for NAB, I used an Apple bluetooth keyboard for writing notes and emails at night. Worked a treat.

And there were a good number of iPad apps on display that ranged from slating to teleprompters and storyboarding. I think the next few months will see a bunch of apps released specifically for the filmmaker.
 
They make a really small pocket video projector that you can use with the iPad (if you by the video cable) that would be sweet for story boards on a wall to show the whole crew, going over the script while your sitting down with the wireless keyboard from 10 feet away.

iPads are on about every hollywood set right now.
 
I heard the ipad can only read Google docs, not edit them, so i would thus never use it. I talked to the Apple sales rep just an hour ago at best buy, he said some firmware updates and a new OS are coming for the current ipad that will let it do some things lacking in its current release, such as multitasking. As is at this point I have no interest in the ipad. I do plan however to buy a netbook (14 hrs battery life!) in the very near future, for travel, ,etc.
 
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That does seem to be the general consensus: "It has great potential but I'm waiting for X to be released for the next Gen". Overall, I agree with this idea, I think.
 
Yeah, I learned the hard way not to by anything first generation. I have a 1st generation Macbook Pro that is now a $2,000 paperweight.
 
Batutta said:
Yeah, I learned the hard way not to by anything first generation. I have a 1st generation Macbook Pro that is now a $2,000 paperweight.
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I still have my apple IIe my parents bought me when I was 13 but I'm mainly going to use my new 3G iPad for porn.
 
Netbook, LOL, anything using Windows requires someone with an IQ below 90 to use. Freakin' idiots. I get how people (who are poor) could tolerate using Windows, but I don't get how anyone with style or class or money could justify using an inferior OS. I had my 15 years using Windows. Then I grew up and realized there was a larger world out there where mediocrity is not accepted.

I have my iPad and it's fantastic, I've used it for production meetings already, it's very convenient. It's in fact very cheap for what it does, which is quite a lot.

Also the battery life on the iPad is at least 10 hours, if not 14. It is listed at 10 but I don't think that's accurate. I've used it for 2 hours before and had it be still above 90% and I've used it for 4-5 hours and had it above 70% so I don't really think that it's a 10-hour battery life. It's incredibly impressive needless to say, the battery seems to last forever. The iPhone battery is alright, good for moderate use but bad for heavy use, whereas the iPad battery can sustain it all day even in very, very heavy use. You'd have to use it from sun up to sun down to exhaust the entire battery. Lowest I ever got was 65% and that was first day using it almost all day.
 
JonathanLB said:
Netbook, LOL, anything using Windows requires someone with an IQ below 90 to use. Freakin' idiots. I get how people (who are poor) could tolerate using Windows, but I don't get how anyone with style or class or money could justify using an inferior OS. I had my 15 years using Windows. Then I grew up and realized there was a larger world out there where mediocrity is not accepted.
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If the battery ever does run low, I'm sure you can recharge it with your attitude!
 
One of the workflow scenarios I've been thinking about involves having an Eye-Fi in the T2i and in the H4n, auto-uploading the files from both to an on-set network, and handing the iPad to people who want to watch or listen to raw clips, or review various stills. At a commercial shoot I was on recently, the costume people were sending picturemail from iPhones to the Director/Producer, to get final approval for colors and materials. Using something like this would facilitate relatively low-tech people reviewing content before it's too late to make a change. - Tim
 
JonathanLB said:
Netbook, LOL, anything using Windows requires someone with an IQ below 90 to use. Freakin' idiots. I get how people (who are poor) could tolerate using Windows, but I don't get how anyone with style or class or money could justify using an inferior OS. I had my 15 years using Windows. Then I grew up and realized there was a larger world out there where mediocrity is not accepted.
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Might I recommend Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People"? It's been out for about 73 years now, and it's filled with good advice on getting others to see your point of view without calling them "Freakin' idiots." - Tim
 
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