iPhone apps for actors – part 2

Last week we discussed the iPhone, its prevalence amongst performers and specifically the apps that come preinstalled and how to use them to your advantage.

Last week we discussed the iPhone, its prevalence amongst performers and specifically the apps that come preinstalled and how to use them to your advantage.

This week we are looking at third party apps that you can purchase or pick up for free on Apples App Store. Some of these are apps that have specifically been produced and targeted at actors and some are just useful apps in my opinion.

A Dictionary –
I haven’t chosen a specific app for this, but as an actor it is VERY handy to have a full dictionary at your finger tips. I use Word Web because it is free and more importantly it doesn’t need to access the internet to look things up. So if you are in the basement of a theatre or anywhere else with out access to the internet the app is still completely functional.

Shakespeare –
This is another free app that contains the completele works of William Shakespeare. All of his plays, 6 poems and 154 sonnets. What I really like about this app is it is searchable. If you hear a monologue or scene that you would like to learn or read again, you just have to remember a few key words to find it. Be able to read the entire play to put it in context or simply find the rest of the scene.

A Piano App –
Again there are so many, but the ability to have a keyboard with you at all times is very useful. If you are at an audition and are handed a song to learn that you have never heard then a very simple keyboard that allows you to note bash the melody out is a great help. For the record, I use an app called Virtuoso.

Talent Please –
This is a new app that has just been released for voice over artists. I know a lot of actors also do voiceovers so I thought I would include it. I also think its a great idea.
It allows you to register and place your information and a sound bite on their system, this is then searchable by people looking for voice over talent. They can listen to you and contact you straight from the app.

Rehearsal –
This app is free to download and try for the first thirty days, after that you have to pay by the script, by the month or by the year. Basically you put scripts you are trying to learn into it. Whether they are .pdfs or word documents, it allows you to highlight your lines, record audio to play along (your lines or the other lines in the scene), it allows your lines to be blacked out as you learn them and then tap to reveal them to check if you are right. Its an app designed to give you all the options you could possibly want to help you learn scripts as fast as possible.

iPerform –
I put out a call last week for any apps that may be appropriate and while I haven’t used this app myself, I was emailed about it so I thought I would mention it. Some people may find that its exactly what they are looking for.

It is basically built as an actors personal assistant. It can help keep all of your career information organised in one place from auditions, contacts, finances etc. I was very impressed with the audition section. You can record who you auditioned for, what you performed, any notes you may have on the process and it allows you to take a picture of the outfit you were wearing at the time.

I hope these have helped you find some more uses for your trusty iPhone. Even if it has just encouraged you to search around the App Store a little more and find some new and exciting apps to add another use to it. If you do find any more apps that you think people should know about then please email me and let me know. Matt’s Murmurs is sponsored by Emptyhead Actors Websites Producing websites for actors and artists: http://www.emptyhead.com.au/actorswebsites.html