Pre-production is where indie films are won or lost. Proper planning prevents the chaos that derails low-budget shoots. Here are the apps that make pre-production manageable.

Screenwriting

  • WriterSolo (free, web) — Clean formatting, no account needed
  • Highland (free basic, Mac) — Minimal, distraction-free screenwriting
  • Celtx (free basic) — Full-featured with collaboration options

Storyboarding

  • Storyboarder (free, desktop) — Quick sketching with shot numbering and export
  • Canva (free) — Use templates to create visual storyboards without drawing skills
  • ShotDeck (free browse) — Reference library of real film stills organized by shot type

Shot Lists & Scheduling

  • ShotLister ($25, iOS) — The best shot list app. Drag-and-drop scheduling, time estimation
  • StudioBinder (free basic) — Shot lists, call sheets, and production management online
  • Google Sheets (free) — Simple but effective. Create columns for scene, shot, lens, notes

Location Planning

  • Sun Seeker ($10) — AR sun tracking for lighting planning at any location
  • Google Maps/Earth (free) — Scout locations remotely, check parking, plan logistics

Budgeting

  • Google Sheets (free) — Create a simple budget with categories for gear, food, transport, post
  • Movie Magic Budgeting ($500+, pro) — For when you get serious about budgets

The Pre-Production Checklist

  1. Script locked (no changes after this point)
  2. Shot list complete (every shot written down)
  3. Schedule built (scenes grouped by location, not story order)
  4. Locations confirmed and scouted
  5. Cast and crew contacted with call times
  6. Gear tested and packed
  7. Food planned

Spend 2 days in pre-production for every 1 day of shooting. Your future self will thank you. On shoot day, FrameCoach handles the camera coaching while you execute your plan.

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