FAQ's

    The programs run on pc systems using the Windows operating system. Computers with faster chips and more RAM memory will run the programs more quickly. The standard release versions require Windows 98 or later, or WinNT 4.0 or later. These are 32-bit versions of the programs.
     You should be happy with the performance in standalone mode on virtually any pentium-class machine. As with most Windows-based programs, they run best with more system RAM, so we recommend 256mb as a minimum, though the programs should be able to run with as little as 64mb.

    The programs can run on Mac systems which use certain PC emulation programs which include Windows XP or Windows 98 .    We have heard that the new Intel-based Mac systems with Boot Camp and Windows XP run the programs without problems. We have also tested that the programs run under Virtual PC3 /win98. We have heard that they are not compatible with Virtual PC4, but that they do run properly under Virtual PC5. We do not yet have reports of users working with other emulation programs. (Obviously, we recommend that you stay away from Virtual PC4. Other than that release, the programs seem to run properly)

Does this program require a program like Excel or Access to run?

No. The On-Set Software programs are stand-alone. They include everything necessary to run them (except, of course, for Windows.)

How many people can use the program?

How many need to?... The programs are designed to be multi-user friendly over a network. If you run the program on a network, the data files can be accessed by several people simultaneously. Depending on your network and the extent to which the users are accessing the same files, you might begin to experience slowdowns if you have more than fifteen users simultaneously accessing the same data sets ... If the users are working with different aspects of the program (data is broken down into 25-60 files, depending on the program), many more can use it simultaneously before slowdowns are experienced.
The other side of the answer, however, is that help is provided for one user (email address) per registration. If you have numerous users and are concerned about having help support for them, you should contact us about a group registration rate.

Do the programs run on Apple/Mac computers?

The programs are written to run using the Windows (98/NT/2000/XP) operating system. The new Intel-based Apple/Mac systems can be configured to run Windows (using BootCamp, or a similar configuration) and will run the OnSet Software programs in this manner.

Do the programs run on Linux computers?

No, the programs are written only for the Windows operating system.

Will the programs run under Windows 3.1x?

The programs are 32-bit and cannot be installed or run under Windows 3.1x.

When running off an NT server, the program always works great for the first user, but as additional users access the same file, their performance slows way down.

NT server by default has something called OpLocks or opportunistic file locking enabled. You may be running it to that. With oplocks on, the 1st computer into a file locks it for better performance and all other users either get access denied or must wait. Go to msdn.microsoft.com click search library and search for oplocks or opportunistic file locking. There is a registry setting to turn it off.

How do I get technical support?

Registered users can email us at support@onsetsoftware.com with questions. Please include product name and registered user name. We will attempt to answer them as quickly as possible. Responses will be sent to the email address associated with the user name specified during registration. It is conceivable that telephone or other support options will become available, particularly in the greater New York area.
Non-registered users are welcome to file bug reports for problems they have experienced. At our discretion we may or may not respond to non-registered users. Responses to registered users will always take precedence over responses to those not yet registered.

Can the programs be modified?

Special modifications to the program may be possible. We are interested in hearing from you about what changes you think would be particularly useful or advantageous, and what changes you would like to see made. Other types of customizations may be available to users on a special order basis (though these are likely to be more expensive than the program registration fee).

Why don't the programs do 'what-if' versions of things like schedules?

In a single-user program, 'playing around' with elements such as scheduling information or budget rates can be a useful process -- usually before showing your results to anyone or having them do any work based on your manipulations.
The On-Set management programs are designed to allow multiple users simultaneous access to scheduling and other data. Having multiple schedules would prove at least irritating and at worst catastrophic to the various people working on the system. (Imagine trying to book a flight with an airline scheduling system in which there were several versions of flights and destinations - and you didn't know which the real ones were going to be.)

I need a different report layout. What can I do?

Let us know. The reports created so far have been based on user needs and requests. Your needs may be integrated into the next version.

Program-Specific Questions

M3S - Millennium Movie Management System [Go To M3S Product Info Page]

What is the difference between Location Names and Filming Sites?

Location Names are the names identifying places as written in the script. These are the names used when creating the script breakdown (identifying the production elements associated with a given scene.) Filming Sites are the names identifying the places where filming will actually occur. Often several location names may be shot at the same filming site, or more than on filming site may be required to show different angles for a location. In short, location names relate to the script, and filming sites refer to the places where the actual filming takes place.

Why are there numerous possible addresses for a filming site?

For a given filming site, there may be several addresses to deal with. The actual filming will take place in one spot; extras holding, catering, craft services, and equipment load-in may be located at other addresses. By providing the possibility of linking several addresses to a filming site name, you have immediate access to all the relevant addresses.

What's the fastest way to enter breakdown information?

Creating the script breakdown can be a painstaking and laborious process. It is important to remember that your attention to detail during this process pays off in a big way when all the information is there at your fingertips when you need it during production. That said, try to do things in a logical order. Anything you have to go in and re-do will take far more time than doing it right the first time. Have your scenes pre-numbered on your script, and create your cast list before you start breaking down scenes. Print out the cast list (with part numbers) so you have it to refer to as you enter your scene information. Enter as much information as possible from the Scenes Browser. For your cast, use the edit-in-place feature by clicking on the Add Cast button, typing in a cast part number, and using the down arrow to add additional cast. When several scenes have similar locations, characters, props, etc., highlight the scene and use the Scene Copy button, and then change the scene number to the new scene number you want. Obviously the more relevant information you enter before you copy the scene, the more gets copied.

What does the 'Copy' button do in the Scenes Browser?

Select a scene in the top browse box of the Scene Browser and then click on the Scene Copy button. This copies basic scene info, as well as related cast and production item information, to a new scene. THIS DOES NOT CREATE A DYNAMIC LINK! -- Later changes in the parent scene are not reflected in the copied scene. Likewise, changes made in the copied version of the scene are not changed in the original parent.

How do I break a scene into parts?

The simple answer is - give each part a different name, and break the total pages for the scene appropriately among the parts. This type of scene breakup is convenient for scenes in which reverse angles are shot at different filming sites, or for a scene in which actor entrances and exits during the course of the scene call for breaking it up for scheduling purposes.
Use the 'Scene Copy' button to make the task easier - then change the aspects of the new scene part which are different.

Why are my page counts a little different than the length of the script?

It is not unusual for the page count to be different than the total script pages. Since the film convention is that the lowest page count for a scene is 1/8 page, it is possible to have more than eight eighths on a page for montage scenes. Also, as rewrites take place, color-coded 'A, B, C, etc' pages are added to the script, while other scenes may be omitted.

PRS - Play Rehearsal Scheduler [Go To PRS Product Info Page]

Why do I have to enter a scene order for each scene?

The scene order field gives the program a way of knowing the order in which the play is performed, and likewise in which it should be shown on your various forms. Although entering act and scene numbers in a standard way might also provide a sorting system, the addition of elements such as overtures, intermissions, and blackouts which may not be assigned scene numbers throws any system into confusion which is based only in scene names. Hence the addition of an order field for scenes.

Why are all the characters given numbers?

The character numbers convention is borrowed from filmmaking, where breakdowns seldom refer to characters by name, preferring their number instead. It's just easier to quickly enter characters into the breakdown when they are referred to by number. The program keeps track of who is which number, and in many cases drop-down menus show both the character number and the character part name.

What order should I follow when breaking down the script?

There is no predetermined order in which you need to break down the script, but you will do best if you do so in an organized fashion. Take a look at the program first and get an idea of how the categories are structured. Start by defining categories you will want to use. Prepare a list of characters in the play. Typically you will want to assign the lowest numbers (1,2,3,etc.) to the characters who appear most often. By now you've probably also read the script enough times to know how (and if) you want to break its scenes into parts, and making pencil notes in the margin can be helpful. Print out your character list (don't worry about not having a cast yet, this can be done later) and use it as you finally begin to break down the scenes. Start at the beginning of the script and move forward without skipping scenes, entering as much information as possible for each scene.

How do I use PRS to manage several shows concurrently?

Our preferred method of using PRS to manage several productions on the same computer involves creating a separate directory for each production, and installing PRS separately into each directory.

To do so, begin by creating the new folder (directory) in which you wish the program to reside. (Creating a new folder/directory is a Windows function which must be performed before beginning the new install. For more specifics, see your Windows manual or Windows help system under folders, creating. At some point, the DOS term directories transitioned into Windows term folder. In this manual they are used interchangeably.) Start your install program in the normal fashion, but when you get to the Choose Destination Location screen, CLICK the Browse button and select the new directory from the Select Destination Directory window.

You may continue the new installation process in either of two fashions, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

New Program Group Method

As you continue the installation process, you will come to a screen which prompts you to select the program group into which to install the program. Type in a new program group name (such as a short version of the play title) and the install program will create a program group with this name for your Start | Programs menu. This will help eliminate possible confusion in finding the correct install to start, and it has the advantage of being a quick and easy method. However, if you are going to install on a network, you may wish to change the program name as well (see below) to avoid possible confusion later.

Change Filename Method

One of the first things you may notice is that each time you install the program, you get another PRS listed in your Start | Programs | OnSet menu. This could potentially become quite confusing after a couple of installs. The install program does not allow you to change the program name during installation. You may, however, change either the program or shortcut names in windows at a later time with no ill effect.
NOTE: If you change the program filename after setting up PRS on a network , you will need to edit any shortcut information on other computers to reflect the change of filename.

PTL - Production Tape Library [Go To PTL Product Info Page]

Why are there seasons, shows, stories, and shoots -- and how do they relate?

PTL is structured around the way that magazine-format shows are produced. Within the context of a television series, everything can be broken down into seasons, within each season there are separate shows. Within each show -- and here is where a magazine series diverges from a dramatic series -- there will be several stories (or segments). Each story (or segment) will require one or more shoots. Ideally, when entering data on any of these levels, several elements on the next level will relate to it; and by entering data in a top/down order, much data entry time can be eliminated, or simplified.

EqT - Equipment Tracker

OnSet/Dos - Dos-Based Utilities