The iPad has changed the way we communicate, enhanced the way we share information and represents an evolution in many forms entertainment.  Movies are no exception.  Whether your a film fan watching the latest releases or a filmmaker using the iPad’s vast library of creative tools, it’s a truly  remarkable device.

Screenwriters have access to brilliant mobile apps to craft their tales.  Illustrators can create storyboards with powerful drawing and image authoring programs.  Movies can be planned, shot, edited and shared with one device. 

Directors, Producers, Designers, Photographers, Musicians…  Artists.

With the announcement of The New iPad, Apple has raised the bar for film fans with 1080p video, an amazing new Retina display and updates to their core creative apps like iMovie and Garage Band.

iPad = Creativity

FILMMAKING

What Apple’s Announcements Mean For Film Geeks

iPad 2: Good & Bad News For Mobile Filmmakers

25 Cool Ways Filmmakers can Use an iPad

Film Makers Turn to iPad for Interactive Storytelling

7 Ways the Apple iPad will affect Filmmakers and Creatives

Movie Mount turns your iPad 2 into a serious video-making machine

Make Movies With Apple iPad

Turn Your iPad Into Filmmaking Device

iPad & Filmmaking

iPad For Filmmakers, Hopefully

iPad for Filmmaking, Day Six Report

SCREENWRITING

iPad your screenplay: FDX Reader vs. GoodReader

John August and Co. Release Final Draft Script Reader for iPad

How screenwriters will use the iPad

Screenwriting. Craft a cinematic masterpiece on the iPad

What I Do With My iPad Part 3: Read Screenplays

PRE, POST, RESOURCES & MORE

What I Do With My iPad Part 1: Storyboarding

Avid Studio takes iPad video editing to the next level

10 Great Sites for Watching Video on Your iPad

Why the iPad 2 Will Be My Mobile Video Studio

Hands On With iMovie For iPad

Apple iMovie for iPad 2

APPS & APP REVIEWS

22 Filmmaking Apps for the iPad & iPhone

8 iPad Apps for Brilliant Writing

Apps For Serious Filmmakers

Top 10 iPad Apps For Student Filmmakers

iPad App Roundup: 6 Television & Movie Apps

Apps For Cinema Artists

Apps For Making A Movie

THE ATHLETIC NERD ARTICLES

Why The iPad 2 Is The Center Of My Creative Universe

Review: Celtx for iPad

Screenwriting Stuff I Carry Around Every Day

iPad & The Screenwriter

Top 6 Apps For Movie Nerds

8mm Vintage Camera Review

FINAL THOUGHTS

I use my iPad non stop.  It’s with me wherever I go.  I read book and screenplays on the bus.  I write scripts during breaks at work.  I’m constantly connected to my websites, blogs and social media account.  I watch movies, short films and documentaries.  I create.

I guess what I’m trying to say is…  The iPad is neat.

Write Anywhere

Mobile devices like iPhones and iPads are changing the way we work everyday.  There truly is an app for everything.

When I got my iPhone, it instantly tripled my productivity and I write more than ever.  Whether it’s notes, outlines, blogs or full screenplays, I now have an amazing tool on me at all times when I simply HAVE to write.

Mobile Screenwriting has definitely enhanced my life.

I’ve written about this topic several times before and I’ve decided to collect all the posts into one location.

And that location…  Is this post.

Celtx for iPhone – Review

Scripts Pro for iPhone – Review

Screenplay by Black Mana Studios – An iPhone App review.

ScriptWrite vs Screenplay – Two iPhone Apps go head to head for screenwriting dominance.

Portable Writing – A detailed look at the Apps I use to write anywhere.

iPad And The Screenwriter – A look at how the iPad will impact screenwriters everywhere.

Riding And Writing – Screenwriting on a bus.

Screenwriting: Up In The Air – Screenwriting on a plane.

Creative Ignition 3: Road Trips – Screenwriting in a car.

Finally, the mysterious device has a name:

iPad

I’m not a massive fan of the name but I’m a huge fan of what I’ll be using it for when I get my hands on one.

Before I get to that, here are some terrific links and information I’ve collected for those who aren’t up to date on the new device.

Just make sure you come back to read the rest.

• Apple (of course) for complete details on the iPad.
• CNN has video of the actual announcement from Steve Jobs himself. (I’m looking for a link to the full presentation.)
• Here is a complete minute by minute blog on the event including images and opinions.
• Hands on video with the device.
• A pretty nice recap over at IGN.

Update: You can now watch the entire event on Apple’s site.

All caught up?  I’m pretty pumped about it.

I’ve never owned a laptop.  I’ve always been more of a desktop kind of guy.  When it comes to writing, there’s nothing better than sitting at a desk and working on a screenplay.  I couldn’t even imagine ever being productive anywhere else.

Until I got my iPhone.

Now I can write notes, outlines and entire screenplays with my phone no matter how far away from my desk I am.  I can research, blog and market my projects from a single tiny device.  I’ve written a lot about the idea of Portable Writing.  I’ve posted articles about my favorite apps and how I use my iPhone on-the-go to stay ahead on my work load.

The iPhone opened my eyes and I realized that I have to break away from my desk and enjoy the freedom to write wherever I want. It got me thinking about the next logical step.  Laptop? Netbook?

Apple’s timing couldn’t have been any better. The correct answer is iPad!

• Screenwriting: One of my favorite aspects is how the apps on my phone will work on the iPad.  This means that as a screenwriter, I can pull out this device and type on a BIG keyboard.  Black Mana’s Screenplay app will be glorious on the iPad.
• Blogging: Updating my blog will be easier than ever with the bigger display and easier navigation.
• Research: The iPad will make researching faster and more efficient with full screen internet access at super fast speeds.
• Social Networking: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more…  Social marketing is huge and 17 West is right there with the newest trends.
• Email: Yet another way to stay in contact and up to date on all of 17 West’s upcoming productions.
• Business: Budgets, Contracts, Paperwork and more will be even easier to manage.
• 17 West Productions: More connectivity, more productivity and more creativity.  I’m very excited about the possibilities. (All of which rhyme by the way.)
• Cost: The iPad starts at $499!  I want the 3G so it’ll be and extra $130 but even then, it’s cheaper than a laptop.

I do a lot of development work in the library.  It’s my quiet place to plot out my scripts.  I’ve always wanted a laptop with screenwriting software loaded and ready to fire off the pages but it’s never really been in the budget.  Finally, I’ve got an affordable alternative to the laptop that just happens to be a super cool technology as well.

I suppose my only questions relate to the absense of a webcam and whether or not the device will work with my existing data package.  I have no intention of adding another 30 bucks a month when I already have 6GB’s of data on my account…  We’ll have to see.

Regardless, I love new gadgets and Apple definitely creates cool gadgets.  The iPad presents me with yet another option to work on my number 1 passion in life.  Screenwriting.

I want one.

The countdown begins!