All about Movie Magic Scheduling

What is Movie Magic Scheduling?

Whether it's in a film production company in Spain or anywhere else, it is always advisable to create a shooting schedule for a film or television production project. Even when filming an event, having a shooting schedule is always beneficial. It is important to note that most movies are not filmed in chronological order, although it would be ideal to allow actors to get into their roles progressively. However, due to logistical reasons, this is difficult to achieve.

To make this task easier, today we will talk about Movie Magic Scheduling. This is a scheduling software used in the film and television industry to plan and organize the production of a movie or TV program. It allows users to create and manage detailed production schedules, including information about the cast and crew, required materials, shooting locations, and production timelines. The tool also enables users to easily adjust and modify the schedule as the production needs change.

Additionally, at Camaleón Rental, we also offer top-notch production services at our offices in Madrid. Feel free to inquire about anything you need and get in touch with us!

How much is Movie Magic Scheduling?

Movie Magic is a subscription-based model, and individual licenses can be purchased from Entertainment Partners. As for the pricing, it depends on whether the purchase is made by a production company or an individual. The monthly subscription for a production company is $29.99 + VAT, and the annual subscription is $239.88 + VAT. On the other hand, if the purchase is made by a student or educator, the price would be $119.88 ($9.99/month with a 12-month commitment).

How to use Movie Magic Scheduling?

When starting to create your shooting schedule with Movie Magic, the objective is to achieve an efficient, organized, and clear result. By structuring the information using columns and colors, it is visually and practically represented.

You should begin your plan by considering that the progress of the shoot will depend on the budget, the actors' availability, and the availability of locations. The first step is to create the script breakdown, which involves organizing and numbering the sequences by location and effect. You can create sequence by sequence and add the corresponding information in a template like this:

To add a new sequence, simply click on "Add Sheet" at the top left or press CTRL + B.

Once the sequences are organized, the next step is to place them in columns according to their location and note the characters that appear in each scene, the required materials, and whether the scene is an interior or exterior shot, day or night. Then, add colors to make everything more visual. The standard color scheme used in Hollywood is as follows:

INT/DAY: white

INT/NIGHT: blue

EXT/DAY: yellow

EXT/NIGHT: green

DAWN: pink

DUSK: orange

To modify and organize the colors of each sequence, go to Design > Strip Colors, and in the window that opens, you can customize the colors for each sequence:

So that, as a result, you can quickly and easily see at which time of day you will need to shoot each scene, how many scenes there are, and how much time it will take...

At this point, the columns will be organized by sequences, so the final step will be to rearrange the columns according to the production requirements mentioned earlier: the availability of actors, locations, technical equipment, etc.

Import final draft to Movie Magic Scheduling

First, ensure that the scenes in your script all begin with a Scene Heading, and that you have added scene numbers to your script beforehand.

To add Scene Numbers: Go to Production > Scene Numbers > check Number / Renumber, select Scene Heading for the Element, then click OK. Make sure you save the file after doing this.

Next, the Final Draft script needs to be converted to a .sex file:

For Final Draft 12 / 11: Go to File > Export > Script / Document and choose the Movie Magic (.sex) format.

For Final Draft 10:

1. Download and install Tagger (Please note that Tagger is obsolete and no longer supported by the company).
2. Open the FDX file in Tagger.

   iii. Go to File > Export to Schedule (this will create a .sex file).

Then:

1. Open Movie Magic Scheduling.
2. Go to File > New Schedule from Template.
3. Choose the default template.
4. Go to File > Import.
5. Navigate to the .sex file you exported from Final Draft / Tagger and double-click to import it.
6. Go to Schedule > Boneyard.
7. Select All with Command + A (Mac) or Control + A (Windows).
8. Right-click or Control + click (Mac) and choose Move to Stripboard.
9. Close this empty window, and you should see all fields populated.

If you encounter any issues while importing into MMS after the script has been exported as a .sex file, it is advisable to contact their technical support service for assistance. Please note that our ability to assist you with that program is extremely limited 

How to import a script into Movie Magic Scheduling 

To import a script into Movie Magic Scheduling, you can follow these steps:

     1. Open Movie Magic Scheduling: Launch the Movie Magic Scheduling software on your computer.

2. Create a new project or open an existing project: If you're starting a new project, create a new file. If you're working on an existing project, open the file.

3. Go to the Stripboard: In Movie Magic Scheduling, the stripboard is where you manage your scenes and shooting schedule. Make sure you are in the stripboard view.

4. Click on "Import Script": Look for the "Import Script" button or option in the toolbar or menu. It is typically located at the top of the interface.

5. Select the script file: When you click on "Import Script," a file selection window will appear. Browse your computer's files and locate the script file you want to import. Select the script file and click "Open" or "Import" to proceed.

6. Map script elements: After importing the script, you may be prompted to map script elements, such as scene headings, character names, and dialogue formatting. This step ensures that the imported script is properly recognized and categorized within Movie Magic Scheduling.

7. Review and adjust scenes: Once the script is imported, review the imported scenes in the stripboard. Verify that all scenes and their details, including scene numbers, locations, cast members, and descriptions, are correctly imported.

8. Customize scheduling details: Adjust scheduling details as needed, such as setting shooting dates, assigning crew members, specifying shoot lengths, and making any necessary changes based on the production services requirements.

9. Save the project: After importing the script and making any adjustments, remember to save your project to ensure all changes are preserved.

Please note that the exact steps and options may vary slightly depending on the version of Movie Magic Scheduling you are using. If you encounter any difficulties or require further assistance, consult the software's documentation or reach out to the support resources provided by Entertainment Partners, the developer of Movie Magic Scheduling.

Alternatives to Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling software

There are several popular alternatives to movie scheduling that you might consider. Here are some of the best options available:

1. CineSync: CineSync is a movie scheduling and content management tool used by many cinemas and theaters. It offers an intuitive interface and advanced features for scheduling and managing movie screenings.
2. Vista Entertainment Solutions: Vista is a leading platform in the cinema industry that provides a wide range of cinema management solutions, including movie scheduling. It offers a comprehensive and flexible interface and features such as automatic schedule optimization and centralized management for multiple locations.
3. Gofilex: Gofilex is a comprehensive solution for movie scheduling and management in cinemas and theaters. It provides tools for movie scheduling, content management, ticket sales, and reporting. It also includes features like automatic scheduling based on historical data and integration with point-of-sale systems.
4. ScreenCraft: ScreenCraft is a cloud-based platform that helps cinemas schedule and manage movies. It provides a simple and user-friendly interface and offers features such as algorithm-based automatic scheduling, content management, and reporting.
5. MovieSlate: MovieSlate is a popular mobile application for movie scheduling and production management. Although it is more oriented towards production management, it can also be used for scheduling screenings in smaller cinemas or special events.

These are just some of the alternatives available in the market. The choice of the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and the size of your operation. I would recommend researching each of these alternatives further and trying their trial versions or requesting demos to determine which one fits your requirements best.

Movie Magic Scheduling Review

Movie Magic Scheduling is a widely recognized software tool specifically designed for film and television production scheduling. It is developed by Entertainment Partners, a company known for its production management solutions. Here are some key points about Movie Magic Scheduling:

1. Comprehensive scheduling features: Movie Magic Scheduling offers a range of features to help create and manage production schedules. It allows users to input scene details, create stripboards, set shooting dates, assign cast and crew, track locations, and generate reports.

2. Efficient scheduling tools: The software provides tools to streamline the scheduling process, such as the ability to drag and drop scenes, automatically calculate day breaks, and quickly generate shooting schedules. These features can save time and improve organization.

3. Collaboration and communication: Movie Magic Scheduling allows multiple users to collaborate on a project simultaneously. This feature enables efficient communication and coordination between different departments and stakeholders involved in the production.

4. Integration with other software: Movie Magic Scheduling integrates with other popular production management tools, such as Movie Magic Budgeting, allowing seamless data transfer between scheduling and budgeting processes.

5. Industry-standard format: Movie Magic Scheduling adheres to industry standards, making it compatible with other production-related software and facilitating the exchange of scheduling data with other professionals in the industry.

It's worth noting that the software can have a learning curve, particularly for users who are new to production scheduling. However, many resources are available, including tutorials, user guides, and training options, to help users navigate and maximize the software's capabilities.

Ultimately, the effectiveness of Movie Magic Scheduling will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the production team. It's advisable to research and evaluate the software thoroughly to determine if it aligns with your requirements before making a decision.

At Camaleón Rental, we have extensive experience as a film and advertising production company in Spain, as well as offering interesting and practical courses in digital filmmaking.