There are numerous ways to develop blocking diagrams for actor and camera movement. The 3X5 card was the standard for decades, but today Shot Designer by Hollywood Camera Work is quickly moving into the limelight. It’s a tool that many have asked about since my previous blog: Camera Set-Ups and Shot Lists. With all the interest, I decided to review Shot Designer.

The software works on both MAC and PC, as well as iPhone, iPad, and Android. If you’re able to create blocking diagrams one at a time, the software is free on any of the devices. However, once you’ve used it for 30-60 seconds, you’ll want to pay the low price of $19.99 for the professional version that gives you more features and allows you to save your work.

I downloaded it to my iPad from the app store and made my first blocking diagram complete with sets, cameras, actors and action props in less than 5 minutes (including download time). My second blocking diagram took me 30 seconds. I experimented with my third diagram by adding in numerous camera positions, actor movements, and lighting changes. After 3 minutes I pushed the animation button and watched everything move at the times and speeds that I had predetermined. This greatly simplifies my explanation of a complex set up to the camera crew.

The software is very simple to use and gives a clean professional look to your blocking diagram. With the simple click of 3 buttons (Share, Current Scene, and Send) an email is sent that includes a .pdf of the blocking diagram, shot list, and a spreadsheet.

The shot list includes: Shot Number, Version, Nickname, Description, Shot Type, Type Code, Lens, Props, Gear, and Crew. While directors don’t need all of that information the DP will love it. And, the Script Supervisor will also appreciate the information in clean typed lists. The shot list is also output in a .csv file that can be quickly pulled into Excel for alterations or editorial reports.

The software allowed me to import background pictures and blueprints, so I could build the blocking diagram over the actual set plans. This gave the added benefit of designing lighting rigs for the lights that wouldn’t need to be moved.

There is an added benefit that allows you to attach storyboards to each camera, which gives the camera department an understanding of what the camera is supposed to see. Additionally, you can attach a director’s viewfinder photo that includes format, aspect ratio, lens and image shot with the mobile device – Making it ideal for location scouts or set walk throughs. The image is captured directly from the camera that is built into your mobile device.

The software was clearly designed for mobile devices and works extremely well on the iPad. At the time of this writing, I hadn’t yet tried the iPhone version, but I did try the MAC version with a touch pad and a Wacom Bamboo pen tablet. Using the pen on the MAC was even more enjoyable and easier than using my finger on the iPad, which was amazing in of itself.

The only issue I had with the MAC version was the lack of keyboard or pen shortcuts. After all, if I had the shortcuts, I could do a diagram in 12 seconds rather than 30. Okay, I know I’m sounding a bit selfish at this point, especially with how easy Shot Designer is to use.

The Shot Designer website has several videos that makes the software simple to understand  before purchase. The company is also very friendly and willing to help their customers, but frankly all the questions I could come up with were already answered on their website. I just contacted them to get a feel for their helpfulness and I was very happy with their responsiveness and friendliness.

Since I’m a part of the generation that likes to keep all my documents on my computer, Shot Designer is ideal for me. I no longer have to draw jittery pictures, scan them, and then email mail them out, as Shot Designer allows me to create clean diagrams on my iPad and send them out with three simple clicks.

Since the software is free, I suggest you download it today and start learning how to create great blocking and camera set up diagrams in an easy and professional manner.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The team of Michael Landon Jr. and Brad Bird turned another Beverly Lewis masterpiece into a solid family film. While this sequel is a bit sappier than The Shunning, it holds well to its own style of monetary excess compared to the humble Amish tones set in the first film.

The Confession is the continuing saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman who seeks out her biological mother (Sherry Stringfield of ER fame). In her journey, she finds herself a part of a mysterious con set to take her dying mother’s great wealth from the foundation she has established to better society. Before Katie is able to reveal her true self to her mother, the mystery must be solved and the culprits dealt with.

Katie Lapp is played by Katie Leclerc (Switched at Birth). Her performance is outstanding, as her character uses her mother’s imparted wisdom to avoid being played by the cons, while struggling to understand the life of “Englishers.” This balance kept the story interesting, as scenes would shift from moments of intrigue, to love, to surprise.

Landon did a great job directing the story, which fits his magical yesteryear touch and style. Using the story’s con game, Landon took advantage of the opportunity by exploring more facets of each character.  The result is the revelation of an unconditional love, as Katie is looked after by an “unknown” visitor – A cousin she doesn’t have.

The ending is of no surprise to Lewis fans, but it’s missing the same edge as the rest of the film. It just seems to unfold with little intrigue, as the revelation moment plays a bit flat. I couldn’t tell if the story just dropped out for a pinch, or if the editing was adjusted to meet the Hallmark Channel time constraints.

However, this film over all is a step up from The Shunning and is self-contained enough for those who missed the first film. Leclerc’s performance is worth the price of the DVD and the love mystery surrounding the “unknown” visitor is done well enough that I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Provident Films released a film on DVD that is ideal for the same market as Fireproof and Courageous. Ring the Bell features big names from Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hall and Matthew West, to baseball legends Rick Sutcliffe, John Kruk and Ben Zobrist. The film is well structured, but very slow paced, typical of Christian films trying to be deep or heartfelt.

The story is about Rob Decker (Ryan Scharoun), a fast-paced agent who heads to a small community to sign a high school baseball player, but gets stranded in town when his car breaks down. Forced to mingle with people living a simplistic life and one of faith, Decker is faced with leveraging anything he can to sign the boy or letting go of his dreams for something larger and proclaiming it by ringing the bell.

Scharoun’s performance was over the top and unbelievable. It was as if he was in a soap opera, rather than the drama that the story was designed to be. However, he did seem to have the looks necessary to compliment Ashley Anderson McCarthy (Daisy).

McCarthy’s outstanding performance brought life to the story. Her character was the most believable and came across very real and natural. McCarthy’s Daisy was so well crafted that you’d wish she were your next-door neighbor.  Chapman also performed far better than expected in his role as a local pastor of a small church. Even the cameos performed well.

Rather than lead actor Scharoun taking this film to success, I think Chapman and McCarthy are going to drive the DVD sales. Even the cameo by Casting Crowns may be enough to push the undecided to make the purchase. So if you’re a Fireprooof fan who doesn’t mind slow paced films, then you’ll enjoy watching McCarthy’s performance in this heartwarming story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”