Author Topic: Call Script Word Processor Mac App  (Read 10475 times)

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mnsalz91

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Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« on: Jan 27, 2013, 09:46 pm »
Moderator note: pursuant to our community standards the following request from one of our members has been previously approved by the staff of SMNetwork; please consider helping as you're able.  -kmc307

Hello Everyone,

I am attempting the impossible.  I'm starting the process of building a call script word processor (no title yet all ideas are welcome).  The ultimate goal is to make a Mac application that is specifically geared towards making digital call scripts where text seamlessly interacts with cue/boxes, where layouts and margins are easily adjusted, and page numbers can be quickly manipulated.

I would love to get as much feedback as possible.

Here are some of my questions:

1. What are your general preferences are when creating a call script?
2. Do you keep your book on the left side or right side?
3. Do you like the cues on the left or right side of the text?
4. How do you notate your page numbers?
5. What shapes you like to use (any images are welcome)?

Any other ideas are welcome.  Also, if anyone happens to have a background in Objective-C Cocoa and Xcode I am learning the language as a go and would love the help.

I'm currently doing this project as a Theatre Project (aka independent study) but I plan on working on the post graduation, which is in May.

Thank you so much!

Miriam
« Last Edit: Jan 28, 2013, 10:23 am by kmc307 »

Maribeth

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #1 on: Jan 28, 2013, 01:45 am »
Hi Miriam,
Happy to help!

1. My general preferences- most of them you mentioned. East to adjust margins and layouts, easy to use. Final product saves as a pdf so that the layout is set in stone. It might be nice to be able to 'tab' scenes, so that you can jump around easily, though not totally necessary. Easy to import a script from Word.

2. Calling script/text on the left, blocking on the right.

3. Cues on the left.

4. If I'm keeping the pagination the same as it currently exists, I like to have the page number at the top and the bottom of the page, on the left- it's the easiest way for me to see it. If I am deviating from the existing pagination, I would probably put the number in a box on the left hand side of the page where the break occurred. I might consider something like a dotted line across the page where the break occurs, if I thought it was easier to read.

5. I use rectangles with and without tails for cues, speech bubbles for standbys/warnings, thought bubbles for anything I need to be aware of but not actually say out loud (i.e. "Check that SL door closed after Peter's exit" or "Turn down monitor volume"), and arrows to indicate a quick page turn.

I'd be happy to send you an example of what my calling scripts look like in a PM. Good luck with your project, and be sure to keep us up to date!

Maribeth

BeccaTheSM

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #2 on: Jan 28, 2013, 02:12 am »
1. You definitely hit some of the big points - page number manipulation is my big thing at this point. I would love the ability to put the script in with original page numbers. Then click a button or something and be able to condense pages together or spread pages further apart and automatically denote page 56a

2. I like text on the left, but I am not always opposed to text on the right.

3. Whichever side my text is on, I like the cues to be as far from the center as possible. So if text is left, cues are left.

4. I like my page numbers on the right (it's easier for me when I reformat a script - it often fits better that way as it does not always require its own line)

5. I use rectangles mostly, with some triangles for isolating a syllable (for very specific cues). I also use arrows. I hadn't before, but will incorporate from now on Maribeth's speech and thought bubbles. I've always written notes like "check the door is closed" but never used a different shape. My big thing is I like the options of colors for my cues.
Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos. - Stephen Sondheim

EFMcMullen

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #3 on: Jan 28, 2013, 09:39 am »
1. I would want the ability to box text to attach to cues.  I think it would be great as you manipulated the text that cues adjusted as necessary. (Though this is not what your program is about, as a single script stage manager, I would want the ability to put markers in the script to reference blocking)
2. I do blocking on the back of the left side page.  Script and cues on the right side. 
3. I like the text on the left side of the page and cues on the right.
4. I prefer page numbers in the upper right corner.
5. I generally use rectangles.  I too also use boxes for stand-bys and other things I need to say out loud or take special note of.

Good luck!

RuthNY

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #4 on: Jan 28, 2013, 11:54 am »
1.  The ability to remove all stage directions, Act and scene numbers, and anything else not actually "said" onstage.  Everything other than the actual dialogue (and page numbers) is just noise, and in my way.   For technically complicated shows, I then use the opposite page (left side) to notate what is going on backstage, or what the cues I am calling (for the rail and the deck) actually do. I need the ability to be able to use both sides of all pages.

2. I keep blocking and calling scripts totally separate. For the calling script, I put the text on the right side.

3. I put the cues in the right hand margin of the text page.  I need adjustable sized margins, or course!

4.I put page numbers on the upper left of the text page, away from the calling margin. I need the ability to make the page numbers match whatever is in the director's script, ie "5" or "I-5" or however the original script denotes the pages.

5.  I'd like a smorgasbord choice of shapes, lines, arrows, etc. so I can format different cues, standbys, etc. in different ways. I'm not a huge fan of color, except for cue lights, and I would need a way to indicate cue light on, and cue light off.


Moderator note: pursuant to our community standards the following request from one of our members has been previously approved by the staff of SMNetwork; please consider helping as you're able.  -kmc307

<snip>

Here are some of my questions:

1. What are your general preferences are when creating a call script?
2. Do you keep your book on the left side or right side?
3. Do you like the cues on the left or right side of the text?
4. How do you notate your page numbers?
5. What shapes you like to use (any images are welcome)?
<snip>
"Be fair with others, but then keep after them until they're fair with you."
--Alan Alda

missliz

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #5 on: Jan 28, 2013, 03:54 pm »
1. What are your general preferences are when creating a call script?
Easy to read. Easy to move cues around. I would love a way to create tabs for scenes to get to them easily in the digital version.

2. Do you keep your book on the left side or right side?
Right. (But I'm a lefty, so my book is always the reverse of most peoples'.  ;))

3. Do you like the cues on the left or right side of the text?
Left.

4. How do you notate your page numbers?
Bottom center, so they don't interfere with cues or blocking.

5. What shapes you like to use (any images are welcome)?
Arrows, rectangles. That's pretty much it. Every once in a while, circles, or freehand drawings.
I personally would like to bring a tortoise onto the stage, turn it into a racehorse, then into a hat, a song, a dragon and a fountain of water. One can dare anything in the theatre and it is the place where one dares the least. -Ionesco

BeccaTheSM

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #6 on: Jan 28, 2013, 04:32 pm »
1. What are your general preferences are when creating a call script?
Easy to read. Easy to move cues around. I would love a way to create tabs for scenes to get to them easily in the digital version.

I second this. TABS! Jumping around with ease would be amazing!

Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos. - Stephen Sondheim

mnsalz91

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #7 on: Jan 28, 2013, 04:35 pm »
2. Do you keep your book on the left side or right side?
Right. (But I'm a lefty, so my book is always the reverse of most peoples'.  ;))

I'm a lefty too! That's why I asked the general questions. 

I really like the tabbed scene idea.  I'm going to add it to the list of features.

Thank you so much for all the responses.  I'm going to do some drawings and post them for critiques.

Maribeth

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #8 on: Jan 28, 2013, 04:51 pm »
I hope this application will be available to use on PCs as well as Macs.

mnsalz91

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #9 on: Jan 28, 2013, 05:07 pm »
I hope this application will be available to use on PCs as well as Macs.

I was waiting for that.  I'm actually going to create this in Apple's Cocoa language (I understand that means nothing to most of you) but it does mean that this will start out, only for mac.  I'm not that great of a programmer, I'm really just a stage manager with really big ideas.  But it will one day be a thing.

:)

iamchristuffin

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #10 on: Jan 28, 2013, 05:11 pm »
I'm a little confused by some of your questions. It may just be a US/UK thing, so apologies if my replies don't make a huge amount of sense!

1. What are your general preferences are when creating a call script?
Scene tabs on the right edge of the page, 5 minute tabs along the bottom. EVERYTHING on Post-its until after opening night. Easily mark-able and change-able cuts and re-workings. Ability to import scores or scripts from Sibelius, PDF or Word, with a template added for the other side.

2. Do you keep your book on the left side or right side?
Left half of left page - blocking - top section (approx. 10%) as section for props movements
Right half of left page - cues/calls - half of tope 10% for current cues (i.e., what LXQ is current as I turn the page)
Spine
Right page - score/script, with either lines from cues on left page, or cues remarked above the correct note/beat/word

4. How do you notate your page numbers?
However they are on the score/script.....

5. What shapes you like to use (any images are welcome)?
Rectangles, arrows, clouds

Does that make sense to you guys?

C

mnsalz91

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #11 on: Jan 28, 2013, 06:52 pm »
I'm a little confused by some of your questions. It may just be a US/UK thing, so apologies if my replies don't make a huge amount of sense!

1. What are your general preferences are when creating a call script?
Scene tabs on the right edge of the page, 5 minute tabs along the bottom. EVERYTHING on Post-its until after opening night. Easily mark-able and change-able cuts and re-workings. Ability to import scores or scripts from Sibelius, PDF or Word, with a template added for the other side.

2. Do you keep your book on the left side or right side?
Left half of left page - blocking - top section (approx. 10%) as section for props movements
Right half of left page - cues/calls - half of tope 10% for current cues (i.e., what LXQ is current as I turn the page)
Spine
Right page - score/script, with either lines from cues on left page, or cues remarked above the correct note/beat/word

4. How do you notate your page numbers?
However they are on the score/script.....

5. What shapes you like to use (any images are welcome)?
Rectangles, arrows, clouds

Does that make sense to you guys?

C

Totally makes sense!  Is there anything you can think of that a DSM might want that we may not use in the US?  I did a work placement at Wicked when studied abroad last year and US/UK differences are definitely something I want to take into consideration.

iamchristuffin

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #12 on: Jan 28, 2013, 07:01 pm »
Hmmmm.....to be honest, I'm not hugely knowledgeable about the PSM role in the US, other than it seems to be both the SM and DSM combined (or, conversely, the SM and DSM is the PSM role split in two - however you want to look at it!)

The only thing that is popping into my head that is different is that we don't use Warnings in addition to Standbys when calling.

One other thing that's occured to me - the ability to add timings in the margin would be useful (mine are usually on the spine edge of the cues section, in a small circle - but I guess that's a personal preference.)

C

mnsalz91

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #13 on: Jan 28, 2013, 08:51 pm »
Ok, so this is the stage I'm at.  Here's my first sketch of what the main editor screen might look like.

Once again, please any witty name ideas would be great!

The toolbar from left to right is: New Document, Open Document, Save, Print | Font, Size, Bold, Italics, Underline, Alignment, Zoom | New Act (Tab), New Scene (Tab), Cue boxes, Bubbles, Lines, General Shapes, Custom Shapes (no image there, I just added it but it is in the space), Inspector.

Scenes can be jumped to down the side, and the rules are next to that. 

I'm thinking a Wizard for when you first start up the application that would let you set which side the cues lie on, how to format margins for whole punches, spacing, and location of page numbers.  These can be set first and then updated in the Page Setup menu.

I have very big ideas.  It makes the coding part quite difficult.  :)

What do you think?  I've attached my sketch. (I am in no way an artist.)

Post Merge: Jan 28, 2013, 11:23 pm
And I've also drew out the inspector that will pop out from the "i" icon.
« Last Edit: Jan 28, 2013, 11:23 pm by mnsalz91 »

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Re: Call Script Word Processor Mac App
« Reply #14 on: Jan 29, 2013, 12:16 am »
I have very big ideas.  It makes the coding part quite difficult.  :)

...welcome to my world...