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Monday, February 2, 2009

Apple Patent Shows Interest in Film Production, Script-Integrated Storyboards

Posted by Aviv

A recently published patent application titled “SCRIPT-INTEGRATED STORYBOARDS” by Apple shows the company’s interest in stepping even deeper into the world of motion picture production.

The patent application explains how it would serve as a tool for film and video editors and producers. Storyboards are a way that people involved in a film’s production can communicate and visually represent their thoughts to one another. While Apple have a presence in professional grade film editing with software like Final Cut Pro, this patent applications shows interest in the other side of the process, actually shooting the film.

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One illustration shows the proposed interface for script and actors.

Specifically, this piece of software would allow for those working on a film to visually place and arrange elements like the cameras and actors, while efficiently integrating in with the actual script. As InformationWeek explains, “…rather than being a purely visual aid for those behind the lens, the storyboards Apple has in mind could serve both crew and actors.” As the patent explains, the storyboards could be distributed to all members of the crew and production alike. In essence, the software would serve as another effective way of visually communicating thoughts across a team of people.

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Another shot of the interface shows script integration with a specific actor info card.

Apple describes the background on the patent as follows: Producing motion pictures can be an exciting project. Motion picture productions can range from major studio epics to documentaries produced by small independent film makers. The major studio epic can encompass a large cast and crew with large inventories of equipment, while the smaller film may include a smaller cast and crew with limited inventories. Even smaller productions may involve multiple locations and include multiple scenes with different shots within a scene.

Another description is as follows, “In one general sense, a storyboard presentation for a motion picture production is generated by launching a scene design tool that includes a camera placement tool and an actor placement tool. Using the actor placement tool, a first actor icon is added on a scene layout for a motion picture production, the first actor icon representing a first actor that will appear in a scene in the motion picture production. Using the camera placement tool, the first camera icon is added on a scene layout for the motion picture production, the first camera icon representing a first camera that will film the scene. The user is enabled to control a location and orientation of the first actor icon using the actor placement tool. The user also is enabled to control a location and orientation of the first camera icon relative to the first actor icon using the camera placement tool.”

Whether the patent application turns into an actual product has yet to be seen. But, it does make sense for Apple to have intentions on creating a symbiotic relationship between two pieces of software used for the same overall goal. With this proposed application and a nice marriage to Final Cut Pro, nearly everyone involved on a particular film, whether it be major motion pictures or a small independent filmmaker, would be able to seamlessly work together in an Apple ecosystem using specified hardware that’s in tune with the software being used. While it may seem like a locked down environment to some, the ease of use and stability this may provide would be nearly unmatched in the movie business. You can download the patent application’s full 36 page PDF here.

Original here

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