Hand Held Hollywood

Final Draft for iPad looking for Beta Testers!

2010-03-08T17:00:24Z

Attention screenwriters! It appears the industry standard screenwriting app is on it's way to the Apple's new iPad. And want to know the best news? They're already looking for beta testers!

Think you've got what it takes? Well then, grab your bug zapper and head on over to the Final Draft iPad Beta Signup page.

Currently, there's no indication of WHEN the beta will be launching. After I signed up, I got this simple message:

Thanks for your interest in the Final Draft iPad application. You’ll hear back from us as soon as there’s more information on its availability.

Writing a screenplay on an iPad seems much more enjoyable than tapping away on an iPhone screen. But, if you just can't wait, check out Black Mana's Screenplay for iPhone -- it's one of our favorites.

We'll let you know as soon as we're accepted to the Final Draft beta... if we're accepted. Fingers and toes crossed!

The HHH Directory Keeps on Growing

2010-03-06T20:49:33Z

If you haven't already checked out the HHH Directory, Now would be a swell time! Why? Because we've just added another 20 apps and accessories, pushing the total to well over 200! That's a whole lot of awesomeness!

If you're a Media Maker with an iPhone, iPod Touch, or other mobile device, go spend a few minutes poking around the Directory. We're sure you'll find some cool tools to improve your workflow. Have fun!

iPad release date announced

2010-03-06T03:53:29Z

Just when you thought Apple was only kidding about the whole zany 'iPad' thing, they go and set a release date! According to Apple's web site, the iPad will be released on April 3rd, and they'll start taking pre-orders on March 12th.

There's no indication if the 3G models will be available, but it's unlikely since Steve once said that those would be released 30 days after the initial launch... but a boy can dream.

So, start counting your pennies. In fact, start counting a LOT of them. And I'll see you on line!

Big thanks to our sponsors

2010-03-03T17:00:11Z

I wanted to take a moment to send my sponsors a great big bag of thanks. They are the reason the hard drives are spinning. Without them, I'd be sitting all alone in a dark room, mumbling to myself about the iphone... and that's no fun.

If you enjoy HHH, and want to support our efforts, please support our sponsors:

Las Vegas SuperMeet
Join the FCPUG Network, including BOSFCPUG, LAFCPUG, SF Cutters and other FCPUG and digital video user groups around the Globe in Las Vegas during NAB 2010 for the largest gathering of FCP, Avid and Adobe editors, HDSLR filmmakers and digital content creators and Gurus on the Planet.

Final Draft
The Industry standard for writing Screenplays on your computer.

Genielux
Helps iPhone & iPod touch owning filmmakers locate specific gear available for rent or purchase, anywhere in the world.

MatchLens
Helps you compute equivalent lens focal lengths to produce the same field of view between two cameras with different aperture/sensor sizes.

Moviola's Pro Video Guide
A detailed, practical resource for those working with current and emerging technologies, whether for standard definition video, high definition (HD), 2K or 4K.

pCam Film+Digital Calculator
Motion Picture and Still Photography calculator for Directors of Photography, Photographers, Camera Operators, Camera Assistants, VFX Supervisors, Script Supervisors, Gaffers, Grips, Editors, Production Designers, Art Directors, Film and Photography Students.

Zinman Software's Apps for TV/Film
A wide variety of excellent apps for mobile film and video makers.

Cinemek's Storyboard Composer
Cinemek Storyboard Composer for iPhone and iPod Touch is a mobile storyboard and pre-visualization composer designed for Directors, Directors of Photography, Producers, Writers, Animators, Art Directors, film students and anyone who wants to be able to visualize their story.

If YOU would like to place an ad for your product or service, just click on any open ad box that says Advertise Here, or just click here. HHH reaches a broad, tech savvy audience that's just as obsessed with gizmos as we are. Thanks for thinking of us!

MACWORLD '10 - FastMac iV Plus

2010-03-01T17:00:13Z

Calling all control freaks! You will most definitely want to check this out. FastMac is about to release the iV Plus, a new case that will turn your your iPhone into a totally customizable infrared universal remote control! It also features a secondary battery, and a camera-synced flash!

Of all the gadgets and gizmos lining the isles at Macworld, the iV Plus was by-far my favorite new discovery. Watch the video and find out why!

MACWORLD '10 - Gorilla Mobile 3G/3Gs

2010-02-26T17:00:23Z

Joby was showing a nifty miniature flexible tripod called the Gorilla Mobile 3G/3Gs. And like the SuctionClip I featured after CES, the Gorilla Mobile opens up some interesting shooting possibilities. I'm a fan of anything that allows me to put a video camera in new and unexpected places. That said, it looks like the Gorilla Mobile would be just as useful when shooting something as basic as an interview.

It's a little tricky positioning the Gorilla Mobile, since the mounting bracket is on the rear of the iPhone (the same side as the video camera). But, if you've got a little patience, I think it could make a great addition to your bag of tricks.

Check out the video for more details.

MACWORLD '10 - Dots Gloves

2010-02-25T17:00:43Z

It's often said, "Cold Hands, Warm Heart." However, it's also said, "Gloved hands, iPhone no worky." That's because the moment you put on your winter mittens, your iPhone's touchscreen no-longer senses your fingertips. So, you've got to pull of the gloves every time you want to tap, flick or pinch.

Fortunately, Dots Gloves has found a way to keep your hands warm, while keeping your iPhone fully functional. The magic is in the material. I put 'em on, and was able to use my iPhone's touchscreen without any issues whatsoever.

I wish I had a pair of these last week when I was directing a late-night shoot on the beach. I was freezing my.. um... hands off. And I had to de-glove every time my iPhone rang. That, my friends, sucked. I haven't tested these gloves in cold weather, but it's on my list of things to do.

Watch the video to get more details, and check out the other styles.

PocketLD turns 2

2010-02-24T20:00:00Z

Is that a lighting director in your pocket or are you just happy to key me? Thank you! Thank you! Try the veal! Tip your waitress! Goodnight!

With the world's greatest joke out of the way, I'm happy to tell you that version 2.0 of Zinman Software's PocketLD has just hit the app store. In a nutshell, this app helps lighting pros calculate FC/LUX and Beam/Field diameters for a ton of fixtures and lamps. And if you understood that last sentence, I bow to your wisdom.

Version 2 adds a bunch of new features, including the ability to edit the library, create new fixtures, and organize fixtures in a favorites list.

So, if you light for a living, you should check out this upgrade pronto.

MACWORLD '10 - Mophie Marketplace & Juice Pack TV

2010-02-24T17:00:22Z

Mophie has two unreleased products I was hoping to hear more about at this year's Macworld. And lucky for us, they had working prototypes of both.

Marketplace is their new case with a built-in credit card reader. As you may remember, I recently covered a similar product from MacAlly called the QuikSwipe. Both the Marketplace and the Quikswipe seem like great tools for filmmakers to want to sell DVDs of their files on the go, but the Marketplace may have the edge in overall design. Simply put, it's slick and simple. Check out the video to see it in action.

The Juice Pack TV is a case with a secondary battery, but it also allows your iPhone to receive real-time television broadcasts from Qualcomm's Flo Network. There's two reasons I wanted to see this puppy. First off, it's ALWAYS important to know how your audience will be watching your work. Which brings me to the second reason: I directed a series of promos for Flo last year, and I was hoping to see one of my spots during a commercial break.

Check out the video to see both products action.

HHH is MacVideo's Movie of the Week!

2010-02-16T16:50:21Z

I just found out that that my San Francisco SuperMeet presentation was named MacVideo's Movie of the Week! That's freakin' awesome! If you weren't able to come to the show, or you tried watching the messed-up live feed, here's the whole presentation. Enjoy!

In other news... I just got back from MacWorld. Not a particularly great show, but there were a few items worth discussing. I'm putting the videos together now. I'll have 'em posted shortly. Check back soon!