Screenwriting Blog
Posted on by Victoria Lucia

Best Filmmaking Software and Tools

Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or somebody just starting, having the right software and tools can make all the difference in the pre - and post - production process. It can greatly enhance your creativity and help you bring your vision to life. Figuring out what tools and software you need can take time and effort. Don’t worry; I’m here to help! Keep reading to find out all the best filmmaking software and tools!

Best Filmmaking Software and Tools

Best Pre-Production Software & Tools

Best Software for Script Writing

SoCreate

Are you looking for easy-to-use, creative, and educational screenwriting software? Look no further than SoCreate! With a wide range of powerful features, including character and location images and a clear layout of your acts and scenes, SoCreate's software makes writing and editing a breeze, allowing you to visualize and build your story in a creative way. Featuring a mobile-friendly format just as powerful as the computer version, you can write anywhere, on any device, and the same goes for accessing your scripts. Now, you can make on-the-fly changes while in the field shooting or just waiting at the bus stop. So why wait? Try SoCreate for your next project and see how easy screenwriting can be!

With one click

Export a perfectly formatted traditional script.

Try SoCreate for free!

Write Like This...
...Export To This!
...Then...

Best Software for Script Breakdowns

StudioBinder

After completing the script, the next step is to break it down into smaller, more manageable components. StudioBinder provides extensive resources for script breakdowns. This software makes identifying props, locations, costumes, and other necessary elements a breeze! Furthermore, the software enables filmmakers to develop shot lists, which helps them meticulously plan every visual aspect of their production.

Best Software for Shot Lists

Shot Lister

Looking for a professional shot list and scheduling app? Look no further than Shot Lister, the app that promises "a better way to make your day." Shot Lister was created by filmmakers for filmmakers, providing a comprehensive solution for building, organizing, scheduling, and sharing shot lists and shooting schedules. You can organize and store hundreds of scenes and thousands of shots with industry-standard formatting. Customization is vital, and live editing allows you to reschedule on the fly. Shot Lister shows you how your schedule changes in real-time while you shoot, enabling you to make informed decisions minute by minute.

Best Software for Managing a Production Calendar

Movie Magic Scheduling

Movie Magic Scheduling is considered an industry-standard software for a reason. It sets the benchmark for building comprehensive production schedules with its user-friendly interface. An efficient workflow offers multiple scenarios, such as varying shoot lengths, scene reordering, and location comparisons, thereby saving time in managing script breakdowns and call sheets. You can create custom crew reports that provide real-time data and enable your team to make informed decisions.

Best Software for Production Management

Movie Magic Budgeting

When managing a production, there are many areas to oversee, and ensuring that the budget is fully accounted for is crucial. Movie Magic makes the list again with their other industry-standard budgeting software. Used by production teams worldwide, this software features an innovative cost estimation tool and a newly designed intuitive dashboard. Movie Magic allows you to create, edit, and manage professional budgets for any size production, anytime and anywhere.

Best Software for Google Drive Integration

Slack

Slack is everybody’s favorite office communication tool that can be just as helpful to a film production team. It's easy to sync it up with Google Drive to send customized messages to a Slack group whenever a file in a designated shared folder changes. This feature is handy because it provides a real-time history report in a chat box. You can even configure the integration to post as an announcement or private message for closer monitoring. You can take things a step further by searching your Google Drive files directly in Slack, allowing you to locate and open the exact file you're looking for without leaving Slack and opening Google Drive manually. Pretty handy, right?

Best Production Software & Tools

Best Tool for Managing Video Files & Clips

Pro Media Tools

When it comes to organizing project files, improving workflows, and managing metadata, Pro Media Tools is a powerful tool that's here to help! It has a range of features and workflow tools created to make media management easier and streamline workflows in editing programs like Adobe Premier, Final Cut Pro, etc. In the suite, you will find a range of powerful features that allow you to edit QuickTime movie metadata, watch render files, and edit markers, among other things. Additionally, these applications can output various file formats to accommodate different editing systems and workflows.

Best Audio Tracks & Mixing Tools

Audacity

Filmmaking requires attention to both visuals and audio. Audacity is a flexible audio editing software that enables filmmakers to record, edit, and mix soundtracks and sound effects. Its interface is user-friendly, making it accessible to both novices and experts. With its diverse set of advanced tools, Audacity ensures that audio complements the visual components of the film seamlessly.

Best Post-Production Software & Tools

Best Software for Video Editing

Adobe Premiere Pro & Elements

Regarding choosing a video editor, both Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Elements stand as powerhouses in the industry and popular video editing software choices. While Premiere Pro has a robust list of features and an intuitive interface appropriate for professionals who want more advanced features like special effects and motion graphics, Elements offers a more basic video editing program that allows users to edit quickly and easily.

When it comes to filmmaking, having the right software and tools can greatly affect the quality and efficiency of your production. Each stage, from pre-production to post-production, requires specialized tools that cater to specific needs in the constantly changing world of filmmaking. Hopefully, this blog introduced you to handy tools to help you on your next project! Good luck, and happy filmmaking!

You may also be interested in...

Unleash Your Creativity with SoCreate

A Screenwriting Software Game-Changer

Unleash Your Creativity with SoCreate: A Screenwriting Software Game-Changer

Hey there, fellow screenwriters! Let's face it, we've all been there – staring at a dull, lifeless screenplay format that feels more like a chore than a creative adventure. Traditional screenwriting software tends to focus on strict formatting, leaving our imagination craving more. Well, my friends, that's where SoCreate swoops in to save the day! In this blog post, we'll dive into the exciting world of SoCreate, the revolutionary screenwriting platform that's all about setting your creativity free. So, buckle up and get ready to discover four fantastic reasons why SoCreate is your go-to choice for an inspired screenwriting journey ...

The Screenwriting Life Podcast is the Writing Friend You Didn’t Know You Needed

Writers can lead lonely lives. We seek solitude to find our creative space but feel like no one can relate to what we’re struggling with when we hit a block. Does anyone understand me?! I say it to myself often. Enter Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna, co-hosts of The Screenwriting Life, a popular podcast you can find on Spotify, Anchor, and Apple Podcasts. The Screenwriting Life podcast features guests that share their hard-won insight into not only the craft of screenwriting but the life of a writer and how to thrive in the profession or hobby. It aims to reassure writers that they’re not alone in their ...

Learn About Screenwriting

How to Learn About Screenwriting

So, you want to be a screenwriter? Like most things, all you have to do is take the time to learn about the craft and practice it. It’s not rocket science, but it does require the right education. What’s the best way to learn about screenwriting? From blogs to formal education, successful screenwriters have traversed many paths. Here are a few of the roads you can take to learn about screenwriting and find success on your own writing journey. Screenwriting School: “Do I need to attend school to become a screenwriter?” The answer is no. There’s no clear-cut path to breaking into the industry as a screenwriter ...