Overview

The following is an overview of Filmatick from the layout to how to edit shots together. This is meant to be a broad overview of the system. If you want to learn more, click on the detailed sections throughout the manual. The overview is a great way to familiarize yourself with the software after going through the quick start .

Tabbed System

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Filmatick is based on a tabbed system in three basic quadrants: Two quadrants on the top and one long quadrant on the bottom.

Each Quadrant can be sized by Left Clicking and Dragging on the line that divides the quadrants.

Each quadrant has multiple tabs associated with it. Quadrants 1 and 2 have upper and lower tabs (located on the sides of the screen) where Quadrant 3 only has a lower tab (located at the bottom of the screen).

Quadrant 1
(Upper Tabs) Script , Outliner , Explorer
(Lower Tabs) Properties , Cast

Quadrant 2
(Upper Tabs) Preview , 3D, Camera
(Lower Tabs) Shot List

Quadrant 3
Timeline, Dopesheet

3D View

The 3D view can be the most intimidating if you’ve never used 3d before. It takes a little practice to understand how to move around as in most 3d software packages.

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With just a few button clicks, even the most novice users can create shots easily. The user can build sets and then animate actors to the marks where they want them to move to at the exact time, using the audio file they create.

Tabbed System within 3D

Each shot is organized in a Tab system in Filmatick. When the user opens a Set, Scene Blocking, or Shots, they are kept on the top part of the 3d Panel. The user can open/close or switch between them easily, making workflow simple and efficient.

Learn more about the 3d Tabbed system.

Maneuvering in space

Getting around the 3d space seems daunting but with practice, can be second nature. The user can switch between the topdown, or floor plan view and the perspective view with the click of a button or have both views open. This allows the user to see where they are in space easier.

Learn more about moving in the 3d space.

Workflow

There are many ways to create your shots in Filmatick. You can choose whichever path you want. There is a preferred method but you can use any way that fits your productivity.

Learn more about workflow .

Importing Audio

Usually, you will want to import your audio files in order to create a Radio Play. This is so you can add rough dialog from your script, any sound fx, and music that will help visualize your project.

Filmatick offers a Robot Voice option that allows you to automatically create audio files for each line of dialog in your script.

Auto Placement of the audio prior to creating shots makes sense so you can better gauge how long each shot may be. It’s all an approximation but adding the dialog allows you to get a little closer.

Learn how to import audio.

Create a Set

In order to get a shot created accurately, you must build a set. This can be done by importing a finished model, or creating it entirely in Filmatick. You can build walls to the exact specifications of a floor plan or eyeball it as close as you want. There are also props in the Filmatick Library such as couches, plants, and even cars that you may put in your set.

The set can be changed throughout production with or without affecting shots. The user can control which shots the changes of the sets can affect.

You may also reuse sets for different scenes throughout the project.

Learn more about Creating a Set .

Casting Characters

After creating a set and prior to creating a shot, the user must assign actors (3d models) to characters. Once they are assigned, the user can move them around in Scene Blocking.

Learn more about Casting Characters.

Scene Blocking

Figuring out where and when your actors move in each scene is vital to getting great shots. Scene blocking in Filmatick is similar to blocking on set. The user can set “keyframes” where a character is to move at any point in the scene. Based on the dialog and sounds, the user can accurately choreograph his scenes.

Scene blocking sets the stage for where each shot will be placed. The user can change this each shot but it is favorable to move your actors and props through the entire scene.

The keys are able to be edited, copied, and deleted in a straightforward way. You mustn’t be an animator to understand how to move your characters.

Learn more about Scene Blocking.

Create a Tick

A tick is the line that Directors draw on a script to show the start and end of a shot. Filmatick allows the user to connect that line with a 3d shot and the shot list. This can be used to show coverage and where more shots need to be.

The user can pick which type of shot they want the tick to be - CU, WIDE, Two Shot. The ticks are able to be edited, moved, and deleted. Each tick has a name corresponding with same name in the shot list.

Filmatick bases the original length of the shot on 1/8ths. The user can change this as they need.

Learn more about Creating a Tick.

Editing the Timeline

Not as complete of a Non-Linear Editor as something like Premiere or DaVinci, Filmatick’s timeline will let the user edit shots together with audio to create a movie.

The user can move, cut, change the length, or delete each shot on the timeline. They can also slide audio around to fit the picture.

The timeline is connected with the shots and the scene blocking so if a camera is slightly changed in a shot, the change will be reflected in the timeline.

Learn more about the Timeline.

Exporting from Filmatick

Once you have completed your project in Filmatick, you can export in many different ways. You can export your shot list and/or your scene list as a .csv file. You can also export your script with tick lines on it. Finally, and most importantly, you can export a movie file from the timeline.

Learn more about Exporting.