Screen Tests

by Doug Polk
StoryBoard Quick 2.0 ($229)
PowerProduction Software
1233 Hermosa Avenue Suite 302
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254-3525
(310) 370-4793

PowerProduction Software's StoryBoard Quick is an application for creating pro-quality storyboards on the Macintosh. You do this using specialized graphics made with the program's drawing tools, or by importing picture files.

The software will run on any Macintosh with system 6.05 or better and at least 1MB of RAM. You will also need 1MB of free hard disk space to save both the program and your project files.

Once the program is up and running, it's not unlike a paint program, except you spend more time placing props and characters from a large library of clip-art than you do drawing anything.

To create an individual storyboard frame, you first lay down a background from the tool bar. You can create the background yourself, or choose pre-drawn backgrounds from a locations menu.

At the bottom of the locations menu is a listing of effects. For example, you can apply the "starry night" effect to the "country road" location. The bright, sunny sky suddenly becomes dark and full of stars.

Next, you take clip-art props from the tool bar, such as lamps, tables, chairs, machines, automobiles, airplanes, guns or whatever you need and spread them about the frame where you want them. Then you choose from a number of characters and place them where you need them in the frame. You can use the zoom controls to change their sizes. Finally, you can add arrows and other markers to indicate the screen direction of any action taking place.

Other features include a mouse-driven drawing tool, different aspect ratios and a shuffle feature for changing the order of the frames.

StoryBoard Quick is easy and rather fun to use, and it's certainly a logical approach to making storyboards, especially for those who can't draw too well. Take a look at StoryBoard Quick. It may suprise you.

Ease of Learning: (4)
Ease of use: (4)
Documentation: (2)
Value: (3)

Video Magician 1.0 ($399)
Multi-media Computing Solutions
Kensington, MD
(301) 946-2025

MMCS breaks into the world of IBM PC-compatible video editing with its new Video Magician computer-based edit controller. The Video Magician will control any of Sony's new ViSCA protocol Hi8 VCRs. Through the Sony VBox, it can also control VCRs or camcorders with Control-L or Control-S connections. The Video Magician also reads Sony's RC time code.

Video Magician can control up to seven ViSCA or VBox devices through a daisy-chain connection, making A/B-roll setups a snap. Also, any ViSCA or GPI (general purpose interface) controlled titler or special effects generator will fit right in.

Video Magician has three program-controlled GPI ports that connect to your peripherals through a Sony VBox. Additionally, the software will control one CD player and one digital wave player. All items connected on the daisy-chain have their own control window on your computer screen.

The device control windows for your source VCRs or camcorders include all tape shuttle controls and time code numbers. As you find the start and end of each scene you want to keep, you enter them into the clip builder, which registers the time code numbers (or counter numbers if you don't use time code).

Once you complete each clip, you send the info to the project builder which builds up an EDL (edit decision list) of your shots. The only limit to the length of EDLs you can build is your computer's memory and disk space.

The Video Magician works quite nicely and is easy to learn. The company claims +/- 4 frame accuracy with RC time code, but I achieved +/- 2 to 4 frames and usually less than 4. The speed control bar found along the bottom of each VCR control window was a very useful touch. For the price, Video Magician is a good ViSCA control program.

Ease of Learning: (4)
Ease of use: (3)
Documentation: (4)
Value: (4)