On the heels of Avid's announcement, looks like EditShare is going to open source Lightworks. Pretty cool.

Avid has announced the release of Avid Media Composer version 5. This release marks a tremendous leap forward for Avid Media Composer both technically and operationally. Highlights include:
• Just like Avid can already access P2, XDCam and GFCam files natively & instantly, you may now access Red's R3D files as well as QuickTime files natively (including ProRes & H.264). This means no transcoding and no importing of these files.
• You can now choose to edit with a variety of methods, including ones similar to those found in other editing applications such as DS and FCP.
• Real Time Audio Suite ("RTAS") plug-ins.
• Monitor video externally with support for the Matrox MXO2 Mini.
• Import AVCHD files directly from cameras and other devices.
• Access low-res XDCAM proxies for offline work, with full-quality audio.
         
There's more. To see a video, get a glimpse of the interface changes, read an overview and more, stop by Hershleder.com (link opens in new window). And, of course, get more details at Avid.com (link opens in new window).

Following in the tradition of National Novel Writing Month, a relatively new online effort called Script Frenzy challenges you to write a 100-page screenplay over the month of April. Everyone, whether you've got tons of scripts or zero scripts under your belt, is invited. There are no prizes, no rewards, except for your completed script and all that entails. Sign up here to get started.

H/T to Slashdot for reporting that after a year of development, a new non-linear editor called OpenShot has just been released for the Linux operating system. Here's a quick look and some credits:

By now I'm sure you all know what Celtx is. It's free, cross-platform screenwriting and production software available in many languages. There's a new version out today. Here are the release notes. Go get it!

From Greg Miller over at The Other Network comes eight "free practical tips to punch up your writing". Here's the first one:

1 - Put at least one solid laugh on every page. Not witty banter or zany behavior. A laugh. Not just your opinion, but based on other people’s reads. You are having other people read it, right?

That was a delicious taster. Want more? Here's Greg's whole list.

So a new version of the Celtx screenwriting/pre-production software has been released. Version 2.5 offers several new features, including "Revision Mode" which locks page numbers while you make edits, Text Lock Mode, a Sketch tool to add images to the project, Studio Collaboration which is an integrated text messaging service for Studio users, and new options for PDF formatting. Celtx is available for Mac, Linux, and Windows in over 30 languages at no cost.

Update 11/15/09: 2.5.1 Released. Bugs addressed:

1. Windows crashes when canceling add image dialog. If you cancel the add image dialog when adding an image using the media sidebar or a catalog form Celtx crashes. (Windows only)

2. Using Print Preview disables all subtabs. Once you have select print preview the subtabs are no longer responsive. You have to close and re-open the application to fix this problem. (Windows and Linux)

3. Windows registry not updated correctly for NEW Celtx installations. The windows installer doesn't correctly register the celtxs protocol for new installs. This would prevent first time Celtx user from installing addons and open projects from the studio. (Windows only)

ali wrote with the following question:

I want to ask you for info on a specific camera- not sure if youve tried it out but i cant get an honest answer from a sales guy so id thought id try here. the model is gy-hm100u it is a jvc hd cam that records on sd card and it is made to drop and drag files directly onto apple final cut pro. I was wondering if the camera would be still compatable with adobe and if it would be difficult to transfer video to a pc. if anyone knows about this and has any advice please let me know. I dont want to buy something that will be too expensive and doesnt work well with my pc.

Anyone know about this camera?

Both the screenwriting application Final Draft and the free office suite for Mac, NeoOffice had updates this week. The new Final Draft, version 8.01 is said to include "even more new and improved features". Meanwhile, after months of testing, NeoOffice 3.0.1's major features include 10.6 Snow Leopard support, a new feature for saving files online called "NeoOffice Mobile", and native file locking support for local and networked volumes. Download it here for free.

  
Additions to Media Composer version 4 include:
• New "Mix & Match" capabilities let you mix video clips of any frame rate or field motion type regardless of the project’s type.... with no rendering necessary.
• New Expert Decompose Feature.
• Laptop editing enhancements for Time Code navigation and numeric trim value entry.
• Multicamera editing enhancements.
   
    
Get More Details:
+ Watch a video of the new Mix & Match video capabilities
+ Watch a video about the new Transition Preservation feature