LECTURE NOTES Course: Course Code: Program Code: Semester: Lecturer: Contact USING CELTX OVERVIEW Using CELTX

is an easy way to manage your preproduction tasks and generate automatic reports including full production schedules. The following are some instructions on how to use it. Video 1 COMM2303 BP203 Semester 1, 2012 Dr Shaun Wilson [Link]@[Link]

The basic page in CELTX is made up of several options. To start, go to the left hand side and click the + icon and choose Screenplay. This will open the script page. Once begun your script page will look like the above image. Notice that different colours such as red, blue, and yellow are present. These are highlighted words that are selected to do different things such as nominate actors, CGI, new scenes etc. Once highlighted these feed through to the other functions such as production reports that auto generate other

reports on your behalf. This means that for every word or phrase you link it activates (like hot-linking a webpage) functions that thread into others.

As you type in each scene headings the title of such will appear on the bottom left hand side bar with a pull down list of scenes. To use the script function, go to the drop down menu and select a scene heading. Remember that as CELTX gets used to your way of doing things it will remember order and methods to later adapt to your work practice; it takes about 6 months of weekly use for the software to become accustomed to your style and method of workflows. Once the script is completed its then time to make a duplicate copy in the Project Library and re-label it Shooting Screenplay. This means you add in camera/audio/FX and other details in addition to the existing screenplay, and also use any of these terms in CAPITALS. Screenplay Scene heading Screenplay Scene heading Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Camera Shot type Shot type Shot type Shot type Shot type Shot type Shot type Shot type Shot type Shot type camera direction camera direction camera direction camera direction Interior location Exterior location Extreme wide angle Wide angle Wide angle Extreme mid shot Mid shot Extreme close-up Close-up Medium close-up Zoom Stop Pauses Stops Left/Right hand side Camera focuses on INT. EXT. EWA WA Wide-on EMS MS ECU CU MCU Zoom STOP PAUSE STOP LHS/RHS Camera-on

NOTES, MEDIA and BREAKDOWN This important section of CELTX contains the linking facility, which then flows on to making reports and production schedules later on in the process. NOTES This is an area that allows the author to make various notes and references along the way in your script and product details.

MEDIA Media is a facility which allows the author to link GOOGLE images to your source files.

BREAKDOWN This is perhaps the most important of all functions apart from the screenplay facility, in the entire program because it serves as a linking mechanism that translates into your production schedule. To link something, highlight a word in your script and then choose from the drop down menu the selected item, categorizing the word, then click ADD. This automatically follows through into your call sheets etc and shows up below in the name section.

LOWER MENU TABS Underneath your main window is a series of tabs which all serve a different function: write, format, think about, make notes, title page and generated reports.

SCRIPT The screenplay facility of the program is the main driver of your entire project. Once hot linked it shall control all of the major aspects of the production schedules and related documents. See above for further details.

TYPESET This allows the user to format the script and make copies of formatted PDF files (requires a login using a CELTX account). It wont work if this is not done (see below)

SCRATCH PAD This area allows you to work out ideas from scratch to later insert into the main text body of your script.

INDEX CARDS This function allows the user to make subjects and categories of scenes using a flash card principle.

TITLE PAGE This page is surprisingly important. Make sure it includes a title, your name, your contact details and draft or version number. Also, if you want to protect author copyright one step further then register your screenplay with the Australian Writers Guild (this costs about $100 for membership) and include the byline credit in the title page heading. In CELTX, just add the appropriate details in the fields listed below and make sure you use the words copyright

REPORTS SECTION The REPORTS section contains five different types of reports generated from the main script. These allow the user to critic and analyze each scenes and its relationship to each other. DIALOGUE This allows the user to examine one particular character or scene at a time and then compile all of the dialogue which the character or scene says. All categories are located in the All and Character menu windows.

ELEMENTS This allows the user to examine specific scenes and break down the different elements in each (that is, character names or scene headings or text or parenthesis or transitions etc). All categories are located in the element and scene heading menus.

SCENE BREAKDOWN This is the section that itemizes each scene and list in order all component options in the breakdown menus used when hot-linking the script (CGI, characters, wardrobe, animals, actors etc) at once.

SCENE BREAKDOWN WITH DESCRIPTION This section is slightly different than the SCENE BREAKDOWN version with exception to listing all elements with an optionable description of all items (think of this as a more descriptive version of the previous function).

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE This allows the user to drop and drag each scene from the Scene Menu list above into a calendar window which shows what scenes will be filmed and when. Shooting days are also programmable (in fact the other additional functions will not work if this isnt activated). Once a scene has been scheduled a green arrow appears in the far right had column indicating the schedule has linked its details amongst itself.

MONTHLY REPORT You can generate reports based on the production schedule that are not only helpful but also vital in the post-production process. The Monthly Report indicates all of the shooting days in the particular month of production.

WEEKLY REPORT This report indicates all of the scenes shot incrementally day by day.

ONE LINE SCHEDULE This lists all of the days and scenes to be filmed. It is an important document needed in your production schedule because it allows at a glance all the nominated activities in your production with reference to script scene and name/title.

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SHOOTING SCHEDULE This indicates a day-by-day listing of all scenes to be shot including items needed in the particular scenes. This is an elaborated version of the One Line Schedule.

CALL SHEET These documents are given to cast and crew members before each days shoot. They indicate the scenes to be filmed, the times and roster for actors to be on call and what time they are to attend wardrobe and make up. Other details are production company and essentials crew and contact names and various instructions by the director. Historically, the 1st Assistant Director compiles and issues the daily call sheets and signs off at the bottom.

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SCENE SUMMARY The Scene Summary indicates two things: the unscheduled scenes (not listed in the one line schedule) and scheduled scenes (scenes listed to be filmed). This shows what part of the screenplay will and will not be filmed.

REMEMBER: to click update every time you make a change! If you require a more comprehensive and detailed account of CELTX visit this link: CELTX All images courtesy of CELTX software (Free license and download).

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