Think Crew

Brief Overview of Think Crew

Think Crew is a professional scheduling software designed specifically for the demands of feature film and series production. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools to create, collaborate on, and share complex shooting schedules. The platform addresses the need for a fast, responsive, and intuitive production management solution that can keep pace with a dynamic workflow. Its core technology is built for speed, eliminating lag time and computational overhead when managing large projects. The software facilitates seamless real-time collaboration, allowing entire teams to work on the same schedule simultaneously, regardless of their location. With a streamlined interface and powerful features like AI-powered script breakdowns and offline functionality, Think Crew is a modern scheduling tool for today's production professionals.

Think Crew Key Features for Content Creators

• AI Scene Descriptions: Upon importing a script, an artificial intelligence feature can automatically generate scene descriptions. This saves hours of manual summarization by creating concise summaries with a single click.
• Real-time Collaboration: The platform enables teams to edit schedules simultaneously, with all changes reflected instantly for every user. Smart presence indicators show who is currently active in the schedule, and an advanced conflict resolution system ensures concurrent edits merge smoothly without lost work.
• Works Offline: Users can continue working on schedules without an active internet connection. The software's offline capabilities ensure uninterrupted productivity, automatically synchronizing all changes once connectivity is restored.
• Real-time Day Out of Days (DOOD): The DOOD is a living document that updates dynamically as scheduling adjustments are made. It automatically calculates hold days, travel days, and work spans to maintain compliance with union and contractual requirements.
• Multiple Stripboards for Blockshooting: To manage complex productions, users can create and manage multiple stripboards. This is ideal for scenarios involving multiple units, allowing for the creation of a combined DOOD that reflects the activity of all units.
• Detailed Permissions: The software includes granular permission settings to control data security. Production managers can manage access levels for individual team members and set custom roles, providing the security needed for large-scale productions.
• Keyboard-First Design: Designed for efficiency, every function is accessible via intuitive keyboard shortcuts. This design minimizes reliance on a mouse, allowing users to maintain focus and work at a faster pace.
• FDX and PDF Script Import: Scripts can be imported directly from Final Draft (FDX) and PDF formats. The system's intelligent parsing automatically recognizes and preserves scene elements, formatting, and even Final Draft tagging.
• Customizable Workspace: The interface features movable, draggable panes that allow users to arrange their workspace to suit their workflow. The comprehensive drag-and-drop interface applies to nearly every element, from strips to data managers.
• Data Export Options: Schedules and reports can be exported to multiple industry-standard formats, including Excel, CSV, and the Universal Schedule Standard (USS), ensuring data portability and compatibility with other production tools.

Think Crew Target Users & Use Cases

Think Crew is built for professionals working in film and television production. Its features and terminology are tailored to the specific needs of this industry.

• Primary Creator Types: The primary users are Assistant Directors (ADs) and Unit Production Managers (UPMs), who are responsible for creating and managing shooting schedules. Producers also benefit from the collaborative progress reports and high-level views.
• Experience Level: The tool is designed for professionals and power users, with features like a keyboard-first design and detailed customization. However, its free plan and Education Initiative, which provides free access to film students, make it accessible for those learning production management.
• Team Size: The platform is built for both solo users and large, distributed teams. Its real-time collaboration features, presence indicators, and detailed permissions are ideal for productions with multiple key personnel working together.
• Specific Use Cases:
  • Breaking down scripts from FDX or PDF files.
  • Creating and managing shooting schedules for feature films.
  • Planning episodic television series with multiple units.
  • Exploring different shooting scenarios using multiple stripboards.
  • Generating and sharing collaborative progress reports.
  • Managing cast and crew availability with a real-time Day Out of Days.
  • Working on schedules from locations with unreliable internet access.
  • Customizing stripboard layouts and color palettes for specific production needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Think Crew

Is Think Crew free? Yes, Think Crew offers a free plan with limited features. This plan allows users to create projects, collaborate with others, import scripts, and create schedules. Paid plans unlock advanced features like AI scene descriptions, printing, and exporting to various formats.

Does Think Crew work offline? Yes, the software has sophisticated offline capabilities. Users can work on their schedules without an internet connection, and any changes made will automatically synchronize once connectivity is resumed.

What script formats can be imported into Think Crew? Think Crew supports the direct import of scripts in both Final Draft (FDX) and PDF formats. The software's parser automatically recognizes scene elements and formatting from these files.

Can teams collaborate using Think Crew? Yes, real-time collaboration is a core feature. Multiple team members can edit schedules simultaneously, with changes appearing instantly for everyone. The platform also includes presence indicators and conflict resolution for smooth teamwork.

Is Think Crew available for students? Yes, through its Education Initiative, Think Crew provides full, unrestricted access to the professional software at no cost for film students at accredited institutions.

What formats can schedules be exported to? Schedules and reports can be exported to several formats, including Excel, CSV, Casper, and the Universal Schedule Standard (USS), which allows for data portability between different production applications.

Bottom Line: Should Content Creators Choose Think Crew?

Think Crew is a highly recommended scheduling solution for production professionals, particularly Assistant Directors and Unit Production Managers, who require a fast, reliable, and collaborative tool. Its main advantages are its real-time collaboration features, which allow entire teams to stay synchronized, and its robust offline mode, which ensures productivity is never hindered by a poor internet connection. The inclusion of modern tools like AI scene descriptions and a fully customizable, keyboard-driven interface demonstrates a clear understanding of the professional production workflow.

For film students and educators, the free access program makes it an invaluable learning tool for mastering industry-standard practices. By focusing exclusively on the nuances of production scheduling and offering powerful, purpose-built features, Think Crew presents a compelling value proposition for any film or television production team looking to modernize its workflow.