I was planning to do my usual extensive report on the new version of Celtx as I was able to get a sneak peak into this release a couple of weeks ago. As you faithful DVguru readers should know, writing about Celtx is one of my favorite things to do but because of my current schedule, writing an extensive review was hard to do. Another good reason to not to write one is that Chris at YouMakeMedia.com has already written the article that I would have liked to write.

With this new version, Celtx begins the differentiate itself from the competion. The biggest aspect of that differentiation is its web services. This new release takes these services to a different level. Look at the sample Wizard of Oz project on the web, this is fantastic! Celtx is going to going to save my ass in production. And I am guessing it will do the same for a lot of Indie filmmakers.

There are many other new features which you can find in the release notes. But the biggest changes have happened in the app's connection with the web services.

I have always been optimistic about the Celtx business model, free software and (eventually) paid web services, but with these new web services, it is time to question the business models of other screenplay and production apps. That is a pretty tough statement but as I see it, Celtx is connecting the dots from writing to production a lot better than any other app I have seen. Couple of screenwriting apps help with production but Celtx is moving faster on the web front where production is going to rely more and more on. And unlike other applications, it is providing its application for free so writers/ directors will be more inclined to use it. For indies, this is a no-brainer. And for commercial projects, the transition is surely coming, how can you resist an open-sourced, cross-platform application that works seamlessly online and offline?

I will try to write more about this release and Celtx very soon.