Movie Magic Tips & Tricks – Knowledge Base

Here are some quick answers to commonly asked questions regarding the use of Movie Magic Budgeting and Scheduling.

COMMON ERRORS AND BLOCKING ISSUES

Lock File / Running Instance Error Message

Lock File – Running Instance Error Message

When you see a running instance error message, you must delete the lock File (MMS or MMB) in order to use MMS or MMB.

To delete the lock file:

For MAC USER

Open your Finder
Do: cmd + shift + H
There, MM Data > MM Scheduling or MM Budgeting
Delete the file named: movie_magic_budgeting.lock or movie_magic_scheduling.lock
Relaunch MMS or MMB

FOR WINDOWS USER

C:/Users/*Username*/MMData/MM Budgeting
You should be able to see the lock file
Delete the file named: movie_magic_budgeting.lock or movie_magic_scheduling.lock
Relaunch MMS or MMB

Why this happens?

When you work on a Movie Magic file (MMS or MMB), Movie Magic creates a lock file (during the session) to prevent another user to access your file (if it s saved and shared on a server for example). When you close your file, the lock file is normally closed as well.

However when there is a crash, the lock file is not closed.

Also, double-clicking on a file to open when the program already has a file open can result in this as well. It is recommended to always open a file from within the program by going to File > Open rather than double-clicking on a file.

If you don’t use for a long period of time MMB or MMS without closing your software, the lock file might create a blocking issue when you try to open MMB/MSS.

Therefore, it’s recommended to close MMB or MMS rather to leave the session opened when you have finished working.

I just installed MacOS Big Sur and Movie Magic doesn't work

This means that you are still launching an old version of Movie Magic Scheduling 6 or Budgeting 7.

Simply follow the directions below to uninstall/reinstall your software again and begin working in no time.

Open your Finder
Go to your Application folder and delete the folders within the MM Budgeting/MM Scheduling folder to uninstall without deactivating. To delete the folder, simply put the folder in the bin.
The program, when installed, will pick up on the old licensing data and you should be good to continue using Movie Magic.
Make sure all icons are removed from the desktop and/or Dock.
Please find below the links to download the latest version compatible with Big Sur:
https://moviesoft.com/moviemagic-download-centre/

Odd errors (Topsheet empty, Cannot access the globals or Fringes, ...)

Sometimes when odd errors occur during the use of the program, the settings can get corrupted. Simply closing the program and deleting the Settings Folder will resolve this. To delete the Settings Folder:

Close MMB
Go to MM Data > MM Budgeting > Settings Folder

For PC users: C:\users\”yourusername”\MMDATA\MM Budgeting
For Mac users: Open the finder > Cmd + Shift + H or under the “Go” Menu click the house icon.

Once there, click MMDATA\MM Budgeting.
Delete the Settings Folder (put the folder in the bin)
Relaunch MMB and see if it works.

Close MMS
Go to MM Data > MM Scheduling > Settings Folder

For PC users: C:\users\”yourusername”\MMDATA\MM Scheduling
For Mac users: Open the finder > Cmd + Shift + H or under the “Go” Menu click the house icon.

Once there, click MMDATA\MM Scheduling.
Delete the Settings Folder (put the folder in the bin)
Relaunch MMS and see if it works.

My file is not printing properly nor printing at all

Not having an active print setup will cause a lot of issues from within both Movie Magic applications. If you don’t have a printer installed, we advise to install a virtual printer (dummy printer) and select it as default.

The way to set up/add a dummy printer?

1. Go to System Preferences -> Printers and Scanners.

2. Select the + symbol on the left-hand side.

3. In the window that opens up, select IP at the top.

4. In IP Address, enter 127.0.0.1, then below where it asks for Name just name it something like Fake or Dummy Printer.

5. Then hit Add.

6. Then, right-click the new dummy printer and set it as default.

You will then be able to use the PDF save us function.

I cannot find the default templates

If the template folder is not properly displayed, open Movie Magic Scheduling or Budgeting and go to File > New from Template.

Next, navigate to the location on your computer:

MM SCHEDULING

Windows: C:/Users/*Username*/MMData/MM Scheduling/Templates/System Templates
Mac: Macintosh Hard Drive > Users > *Username* > MMData > Movie Magic Scheduling > Templates > System Templates.
(alternatively you can hit simultaneously cmd + shift + H)

MM BUDGETING

Windows: C:/Users/*Username*/MMData/MM Budgeting/Templates/System Templates
Mac: Macintosh Hard Drive > Users > *Username* > MMData > Movie Magic Budgeting > Templates > System Templates.
(alternatively you can hit simultaneously cmd + shift + H)

Then highlight the template you want to use and click OPEN. Once this is done once, you won’t have to do it again. For a more in-depth explanation, you may find this video useful:

When clicking on “Group Setup”, Fringes, no pop up appears.

Close MMB
Go to MM Data > MM Budgeting > Settings Folder
For PC users: C:\users\”yourusername”\MMDATA\MM Budgeting
For Mac users: Open the finder > Cmd + Shift + H or under the “Go” Menu click the house icon. Once there, click MMDATA\MM Budgeting.
Delete the Settings Folder
Relaunch MMB and see if it works.

Does Movie Magic create backup files and where are they located?

Both Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting regularly create backups of your file in case of a small technical issue such as:

– Lock file Issue
– Application crash
– Power cut

The backup files are located in the Backups Folder:

MM SCHEDULING or BUDGETING

Windows: C:/Users/*Username*/MMData/MM Scheduling (or Budgeting) /Backups
Mac: Macintosh Hard Drive > Users > *Username* > MMData > Movie Magic Scheduling (or Budgeting) > Backups

You can check the following tutorial video as well:

How to properly open a Movie Magic File

To open a Movie Magic file (Schedule or Budget), it is recommended you don’t double-click on the file icon but rather, launch the application (MMS or MMB) and then go to File > Open and then open your file.

How to create a PDF (schedule or budget)?

There is no PDF button in Movie Magic. To create a PDF, you will need to use the print function.

Open Movie Magic
Go to File > Print
In the Print Window, Select the PDF menu at the bottom left

How do I create a shooting script?

What is a Shooting Order Script?
A shooting order script is the working script whose scenes are sorted in the shooting order determined by your schedule.
The best way to create a shooting order script is the use Final draft Card View Mode

An alternate way to save new versions of your file

Rather than creating a copy of your file (File > Save As) from Movie Magic Scheduling or Budgeting, we suggest slightly changing your workflow and creating copies from the location where your file is stored.

> First, close Movie Magic.

> Go to the location where your file is located:

Mac:

Do a right-click (Contextual Click) on the file
Select Duplicate
This will create a copy of your file

Windows:

Do a right-click and select File > Copy
Unselect the file
Do a right-click again and select Paste
This will create a copy of your file

Importing a Final Draft script into Movie Magic Scheduling 6

You cannot directly import a native Final Draft file into Movie Magic. Actually you can but it only imports the scene headings and character names.

In order to import all data from you script, you have to import a “.sex file (which stands for Screenplay EXport file). This file can be directly generated from Final Draft 11 by opening the script and going to File > Export > Script… Then, select the .sex file format.

Then in MM open a new template and import the .sex file at that point. This will create a new Schedule document.

In addition, in the latest version of Final Draft, you can fully tag your script. We have created two great guides covering this topic. They will help you to really use the best of both software and save a lot of time.

Breakdown Your Script in Final Draft®
Getting Started on Movie Magic Scheduling 6

https://moviesoft.com/product-category/mypocketguide/filmmaking/

Download MMB7 Shortcut Keys & Quick Tips

Movie Magic Budgeting Quick Tips
Movie Magic Budgeting Short Keys

Can I merge schedule files?

You cannot merge multiple schedules.

However, in the case of multiple episodes, we suggest to import all your Final Draft Script (X Episodes) into one big Scheduling File. Of course, you have to make sure to number your scenes differently from one episode to the other. For example, Episode 1. 100, 101, Episode 2 201, 2020 etc and so on.

I cannot deactivate to install on a new computer (or reinstall)

If you have an older version of MM Budgeting 7 or MM Scheduling 6, updating to the latest version often solves the problem of the deactivation option being greyed out. You can download the latest version here.

If that doesn’t work, when installing/reinstalling your software, you will be able to remotely deactivate your license from your old computer/installation. During the license activation, a window containing a list of computers where Movie Magic has already been installed will be prompted. From that window you will be able to request a remote deactivation.

You can request an activation reset (which you will see on the screen at this point). This will send a notification to EP. They will send you a PIN via email, which will allow you to deactivate an old or inaccessible computer. Please note this will only come from EP, not us. If you have any issues during the procedure or do not receive the PIN, please contact EP directly at support@ep.com.

Check out this video for more on this procedure:

Movie Magic is asking for my password and won't accept my license key.

If the program is requesting your password, this is the password you use to log into your computer, not your MM license key. This will occur during the installation/reinstallation.

It may also occur if you have recently updated your operating system and may not accept your password. The reason is that you have an older version of the program installed, which may not be compatible with your current operating system. Please click here to download, then install, the latest version.

I'm getting a FNP licensing error message

This error occurs if you have updated your MacOS and are still running an older version of the program. Please click here to download, then install, the current version to resolve this problem

How do I move a license from my old computer to a new one?

To move a license, simply deactivate the old computer by opening the program and going to Help > Licensing and click Deactivate. Once this is completed, you can install on the new computer and activate. This video will take you through each step of the process if you need more information:

Can I install on a Chromebook or iPad?

MM Budgeting 7 and Scheduling 6 cannot be installed on a Chromebook or iPad. MM Budgeting 10 cannot be installed on either at this time. This may change in the future. Please keep up to date with all the new features and announcements by signing up for our newsletter.

Can I copy and Paste from Excel to Movie Magic Budgeting 10?

Yes absolutely.

With MMB 10, you can copy and paste a selection of lines from an Excel spreadsheet into MMB 10. Here is the procedure:

Open both documents (Your Excel spreadsheet and your MMB10 budget)
If you copy and paste a selection of lines at the Detail level of your budget, it’s essential that the order of your columns in both documents (Excel spreadsheet and MMB 10) matches.
Your Excel spreadsheet may have more columns than your MMB 10 file. Or vice-versa. So, you must make the necessary adjustment before copying and pasting from one document to the other.
Once this is done:
Open your Excel document and select the block of lines you want to copy.
In your MMB 10 budget, select the first cell of the Description column
Do a right-click and then select Paste Cells From Excel

The complete procedure is detailed in the Getting Started on Movie Magic Budgeting 10 that you can download from the link below: (Free download)