Proscenia Newsletter - On The DeskTop

On The Desktop is devoted to information of specific interest to those working in the fields of TV, Film, and Multimedia. It includes news, tips, publication links, announcements, and other resources that have recently come across the editor's desktop.

CopyWrite - A Short Review
By Ken Loge

CopyWrite is a unique tool for writers that makes it easy to manage a variety of text files and notes that can be categorized according to fully customizable topics for quick access. Anyone who uses a standard word processor on a regular basis has run into problems with the fact that it isn't feasible to work with more than two text files at a time. Splitting the viewable text window pane is arduous for more than two or three files, and most word processors don't support multiple monitor setups with a scheme that's comfortable for writers.
    CopyWrite makes it easy to have quick access to dozens of related text files by incorporating user-defined topics buttons that link to as many unique files as you want to create for each topic. It is such a good idea that you wonder why someone didn't think of it years ago. It eliminates organizational problems common to writing by making it a simple task to put all text and notes in one easily accessible project. It includes a version control system to keep track of draft versions, and it can also make automatic backups as you work, so you can remain focused on the writing task at hand. CopyWrite also helps with the structure of your writing. In a manuscript I'm working on, for example, I have categories for "Chapters," "Characters," "Terms," "Places," "Sequences," etc. Having quick access to these topics and their respective files has greatly improved my ability to keep track of the story details. To further embellish your work, notes can be added to any part of each document for additional convenience. When you're done with a project you can export part or all of the files for further layout refinement in a word processor. CopyWrite claims it is not a formatting program, but its text display is very serviceable and great for cranking out drafts.
   CopyWrite is only available for OS X and costs about $30. It can be downloaded for free, and an unregistered copy allows you to make up to 5 document files per project, which can still be useful.
   If your writing muse is stifled by software, CopyWrite (http://www.bartastechnologies.com/products/copywrite/) is worth serious consideration.

Before Star Wars. When George Lucas was a yet to be known film maker he made his first independent film "THX 1138". Now a DVD which provides the director's cut of George Lucas's influential
first independent film includes a documentary exploring the
birth of the revolutionary American Zoetrope Studios with commentaries from Lucas, sound designer Walter Murch, producer Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and others.
Science-fiction adventure "THX 1138" a thought-provoking exploration of the theme of one man's quest to realize his own potential within the oppressive society of 25th-century totalitarian state. The government controls citizens, numbered drones, of this society by enforcing a program of sedating drugs. Click here to enjoy three clips from the DVD. Source: QuickTime Newsletter.

Picture problems. Microsoft issued a critical security alert last week telling users that there were problems with the way Jpeg images are handled by Windows and many other programs it makes.
The alert said that, theoretically, a malicious attacker could take over a vulnerable machine using a carefully crafted image that contained code to exploit the bug. Source. BBC. Read Full Story.

The "Sky Captain" and His Mac. Before there was a Final Cut Pro. Before there was a Power Mac G5. Before there was a portable HD video cam, Kerry Conran had the world of tomorrow in his sights and a Mac IIsi on his desk.
The force--writer and director--behind the currently red-hot "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," Conran grew up devouring "Sunday afternoon serials; comic books; science fiction novels, films, and TV shows; and a favorite sourcebook, 'The Book of Marvels.'" Seeking to bring the look and feel of these pulp works to screen, Conran adopted what, at the time, was a "fairly unconventional approach: shooting a film entirely on a blue screen soundstage, fully intending to replace those backgrounds with" a world of tomorrow created on his Mac. Read the Full Story about the design and production of Sky Captain in a recent edition of Apple eNews.

9th Annual Webby Awards Call For Entries.

San Francisco, CA -- (September 22, 2004) - Opening the door for more businesses and organizations to compete for the most coveted honor in online media, The Webby Awards has kicked off its widely anticipated annual call for entries with 35 new categories - more than doubling the number of awards it will bestow.
      Web sites from around the world can get in the running for a Ninth Annual Webby Awards nomination - and bask in the unparalleled industry recognition and global media attention - by visiting http://www.webbyawards.com and entering. For nearly a decade, The Webby Awards have been recognized as the leading international honors for web sites.
     The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization with over 500 members including musician David Bowie, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, The Body Shop president Anita Roddick, "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening, Real Networks CEO Rob Glaser, and fashion designer Max Azria.
     Reflecting the web’s egalitarian spirit, The Webby Awards is seeking web sites of all shapes and sizes. Last year’s winners ranged from web powerhouses like Google (Best Practices and Best Services) and Apple iTunes Music Store (Best Commerce and Music), to independent sites like Wikipedia.org (Best Community), a free, community-built encyclopedia.
     Nominees will be announced in April 2005 and winners will be unveiled in May 2005. Winners will be honored at a VIP celebration in late spring of 2005. The Webby Awards will also continue its tradition of encouraging local celebrations of nominees and winners around the world via the Web.

Interactive Design Awards. I.D. Magazine is America’s leading critical magazine covering the art, business and culture of design. Winner of five National Magazine Awards.
The Design Review showcases the best American and international design in the areas of Consumer Products, Furniture, Equipment, Environments, Packaging, Graphics, Concepts and Student Projects.
The Annual Design Review introduced an Interactive Media category in 1995, which has since evolved into the independent Interactive Media Design Review. This special issue, presented each November, features the best interactive designs of the year.2004 Interactive Media Design Winners will appear in the November 2004 issue of I.D. Meanwhile check out the 2000-2003 awards.

Open Lens - and evening of independent film and video. DIVA (Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts - Eugene) is providing an open evening for film and video artists to show their work on December 10. Individuals who have a short film or video are encouraged to submit their work for viewing on the big screen! Drop off a DVD, or VHS copy of your work at DIVA (110 W. Broadway). Mark the package Open Lens film night. Deadline is Wednesday, December 8. An hour of programs will be compiled from the submissions. For more information contact Hank Weintraub at filmfest@divanow.org

Program Aids Urban Poor In Accessing The Internet. As the nation's transformation to a wired society has accelerated, many policymakers have shelved fears of a gulf between Internet haves and have-nots. Internet use at all income levels has gone up. The government program known as E-rate helped subsidize the wiring of schools and public libraries, while recent government efforts have focused on proving broadband to rural areas. Yet a significant digital divide based on income persists, largely affecting the urban poor. Philadelphia explores wireless connections to make the Internet accessible by all. Source: Wired.com. Read Full Story.