{"id":61256,"date":"2015-08-18T09:35:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-18T14:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=61256"},"modified":"2016-10-11T09:20:26","modified_gmt":"2016-10-11T14:20:26","slug":"affordable-software-every-filmmaker-should-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/affordable-software-every-filmmaker-should-have\/","title":{"rendered":"Affordable Software Every Filmmaker Should Have"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the last things to usually make its way into our toolbox is software. Let’s look at\u00a0affordable software options for your video production arsenal.<\/h2>\n

Top image from\u00a0BARArch<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Every filmmaker and video producer needs software. Whether you’re in pre-production, principal, or post there is some sort of software that you’ll need to process your daily tasks.\u00a0The downside is that this software isn’t always cheap. Fortunately, there are affordable software options<\/strong> out there for whatever specific production task you need complete.<\/p>\n

\n

Day-to-Day Operations<\/h3>\n

No matter if you’re an indie filmmaker, run your own video production company, or you’re a motion designer, you’ll have day-to-day operations<\/strong> that take time to process. Make these processes easier with these simple to use applications.<\/p>\n

QuickBooks<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

\"Affordable
\nIf you’re processing payments from clients<\/strong> for the work you are doing, then keep all of your accounting information streamlined in one app through QuickBooks<\/strong>. It’s a fairly inexpensive asset and at the end of the year you can send all documentation to your CPA for processing.
\nCOST:<\/strong> $7.99 A Month<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Square<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

\"Affordable
\nIf you need an endpoint solution for sending out invoices to clients, then Square<\/strong> could be a good application for you. Setting up an account is free and comes with a credit card reader. It also integrates with QuickBooks<\/strong>.
\nCOST:<\/strong> 2.7% Charge on Each Transaction<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Appointy<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

\"Affordable
\nScheduling is probably one of the hardest aspects of our business, as we’re always on the go. While Square<\/strong> also offers scheduling services, they aren’t exactly cheap. There is another app called Appointy<\/strong> that does exactly what Square<\/strong> scheduling does, but it offers that service for free.
\nCOST:<\/strong> Free\u00a0to $60 a Month<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Skype<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

\"Affordable
\nCommunication is key in our business and there are several solutions, but Skype<\/strong> is one of the best out there. This application allows you to message, to video chat, and to share your desktop with collaborators. If you have an Office 365<\/strong> or Microsoft Account,<\/strong> you can gain access to Skype<\/strong>.
\nCOST:<\/strong> Free For Individuals, $2.00 A Month For Business’<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Google Docs<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Affordable
\nWhile\u00a0Office 365<\/a> is a great option, it also costs the average user just over\u00a0$8 a month in dues. So, for those out there that want an even cheaper document editing solution, Google Docs<\/strong> has you covered. As long as you have a Google account, Docs is free. There are paid solutions for business owners in the form of Google Apps<\/a>, but those are not necessary for Google Docs<\/strong>.
\nCOST:<\/strong> Free with Google Account<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Celtx<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

\"Affordable<\/p>\n

If you write your own scripts for narrative films, commercials, or even industrial videos, then Celtx<\/strong> can help you. Basic access is free, but if you want extended options and access, you’ll need to pay a monthly fee of either $8.25 or $16.58 a month.\u00a0While Celtx<\/strong> isn’t as robust as Adobe Story,\u00a0<\/strong>its free pricing for Basic Access is better than the $9.99 a month fee for Story. However, if you are a Creative Cloud subscriber then you get Story for free.
\nCOST:<\/strong> Free for Basic Access<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Non-Linear Editing<\/h3>\n

Now that you have your day-to-day operational software, let’s take a look at post-production software that is affordable and necessary for you to complete your work. We’ll start with non-linear editing software options. We will list all major options.<\/p>\n

Adobe Premiere Pro<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

Adobe Premiere Pro<\/strong> is a favorite among independent filmmakers and video professionals. Its ability to integrate seamlessly into other Adobe software is a huge bonus. There are two options for Premiere Pro:<\/strong>\u00a0one is the monthly subscription for the single app. The other is a monthly “Complete” subscription to Creative Cloud, which Premiere Pro<\/strong> is apart of.
\nCOST:<\/strong> (APP) $19.99 a\/mo.<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(Creative Cloud) $49.99 a\/mo.<\/a><\/p>\n