Since the launch of the iPhone and later the iPad, there has been a continual deployment of apps or apps targeting the video production market. Some have come and gone, but many have now become an essential part of our kit, providing convenience and in some cases replacing high-priced production equipment.
Preproduction
Some of the most useful applications have been designed for use in pre-production and planning. It often replaces expensive desktop software, and in some cases adds additional ease of use.
Scripting apps like script pro allow users to write scripts with the help of pop-up menus and shortcuts directly on their iPad.
It is also compatible with industry standard software, such as the final draft. It also detects when an external keyboard is connected to the iPad and removes the on-screen keyboard for an even broader view.
Another extremely useful app is Hitchcock’s storyboard composer. This is a very well thought out storyboard app that allows the user to upload multiple images from their libraries, add music, notes, and of course take descriptions. It also emulates camera movements such as panning, tilting, and platform movements. Your storyboard can be exported as a PDF or even played as a movie.
Production
Perhaps some of the most popular applications are those used for production, such as the film slate or DSLR slate, which replace the need for expensive clapper boards.
The Movie Slate app does everything a clapper needs and a little more. You can take comprehensive voice and image notes, export reports, and ingest shot data on editing platforms like final cut pro. You can also sync the timecode between cameras, among other iPads or iPhones, with the clock time, and even sync with a song from iTunes, if you’re recording a music video.
Telepromptor applications are also gaining popularity. The pro promtor app allows you to edit the presentation text and has a customizable text scrolling screen where you can adjust the size and speed. Another useful feature is the ability to sync between iPads so your presenter can speak to multiple cameras displaying the same text.
There are also several editing packages available, such as iMovie, a portable version of the popular Mac desktop software. It is surprisingly flexible with many of the usual features. Users can edit existing footage or record more with the built-in 1080p HD capability of the iPad camera. Of course, this isn’t going to be as good as a professional camcorder, but it comes in handy for shot planning, location finding, and storyboarding.
And when you’re done, the sharing possibilities are endless. Upload it to YouTube or Vimeo, to a cloud or website or even play it on a big screen TV using airplay.
The iPhone and iPad have brought many new possibilities to the world of video production, and for my part, I believe that video production is better for it.