FAQ
Here are frequently asked (and answered) questions by the users of Rehearsal, as well as the answers to those questions. There are instructions at the end of the list of questions as to how to contact us if you don’t get your question answered.
My sides and scripts are coming from networks and studios – how do you keep them safe?
We understand your concern for the privacy of your sides and scripts – if you’re a professional actor, you’re usually receiving scripts that are watermarked with your name and the date of your audition call, to prevent and track the dissemination of sensitive material about upcoming production (my scripts for HEROES and LOST were treated that way when I got them from the production offices). To address that, we encrypt your files as you send them to us, and decrypt them just before you start working with them in the app. They are just as secure, if not more so, than they are when they are sent to you by the casting or production offices.
Can I use Rehearsal with an iPod Touch or an iPad?
Yes, you can. Rehearsal works with all models of the iPad, and if your iPod Touch has a volume button on the side, you’re good to go – all you’ll need is an inexpensive mic, available for a few dollars. We have a few to choose from over in our online store. With the iPad, and if your particular model of iPod Touch does not include a camera, those functions of Rehearsal that need the use of a camera will be disabled. In the manual, and here in the FAQ, when we say iPhone, we mean “iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.”
But I keep seeing reviews where people are complaining that they can’t send a script if the have an iPod Touch. What?
The reviews in the App Store are filled with misinformation, and there’s little we can do about it, except correct things here. If you use Mail on your iPod Touch, you simply forward scripts over to Rehearsal the same way you do on an iPhone, an iPad, or your computer. There’s no way for us to respond to those reviews, and we can’t get in touch with the reviewers to show them how to do things. We’re kinda stuck.
Is Rehearsal only available for the iPhone? Why not Android/Blackberry/[other OS]?
Yes (and the iPod Touch and iPad – see the next question), at this point, the iPhone is the most common phone used by actors working in television and film. In addition, the number of devices that would have to be programmed for to be able to accommodate all Android and/or Blackberry users with all the different screen sizes and interfaces is enormous. We’re thinking about how to make that happen, if at all.
OK…I just recorded a scene on my iPad, and it sounds muffled – what’s up?
Most likely, you were holding your iPad in landscape mode (wider than tall), and your hand was covering the built-in microphone. It’s on the top-left, next to the headphone jack, when you’re holding your iPad in portrait mode (taller than wide), and is on the lower left hand side, where your hand ends up when holding it, when you rotate it to the left. Either be careful not to cover it with your hand, or, rotate your iPad so the Home button is on the left. That way, the mic will be on the upper right edge.
How much does Rehearsal cost?
It’s free to download, and free to use as much as you like for the first 30 days – go crazy and put Rehearsal through it’s paces for a full month. If after that you want to continue to use Rehearsal, that’s a snap. There are 3 different ways you can pay to use Rehearsal, and there’s an option no matter how cash-challenged you are (and believe me, we know that acting is a very challenging profession):
- By the script for $1.99 per script – for the new or aspirational actor
- By the month for $19.99 a month – for the working actor/series regular/VO artist
- By the year for $199.99 – for the working actor who wants two months free
All prices are US dollars – we offer Rehearsal worldwide for the equivalent of those prices in each country’s local currency.
If you’re not getting a lot of auditions, choose the per-script option. If you’re getting an average of 5 auditions a month or more (including voicework auditions), choose the monthly subscription. And if you’re a working actor, auditioning all the time and working on a series, film or stage production, paying by the years gives you two months free and unlimited use for that entire year. At any time you can choose any of the ways to pay. And you’ll get to play with Rehearsal for a full month once you register it, just to see if you even like it. We think you will.
$200 a year? I thought iPhone apps were 2 or 3 dollars each!
Most apps in the iPhone App store are that inexpensive (or free).
But unlike most of those apps, Rehearsal is built as a professional tool for acting and production professionals to work in a critical environment: their careers. Rehearsal isn’t a simple game or interest calculator. Rather, it’s a tool designed to make you more successful in your performance career. It uses the most powerful encryption software that we are allowed to use worldwide to keep your scripts safe, and we are constantly working on new ways to make Rehearsal an indispensable tool, in the same way that Word® or Final Draft® is to a writer, or Excel® is to an accountant. All of these tools are far more expensive, and not nearly as much fun.
And don’t forget, you can always simply pay by the script or by the month. We want all performers, regardless of their economic status, to be able to use Rehearsal to its fullest.
As an actor, is Rehearsal just for rehearsing lines when you get booked, or can I use it for auditions as well?
Both! It’s not just for when you land the gig – in fact, Rehearsal was born when its creator got an audition, and didn’t have time to go home to record and learn his lines. He recorded them directly into his iPhone, then kept punching the Play button on Voice Memo to listen to the recorded lines.
Not optimal when you’re driving down the 101 in LA.
So, he thought about what the ultimate app for an actor to learn lines, explore the character, make notes and more, for work and auditions, and Rehearsal was conceived.
Can Rehearsal help me write a script?
Nope – it’s not for writing scripts – Rehearsal is for working with existing scripts used by actors auditioning for or working in TV, film or stage productions.
Does Rehearsal sell scripts or help me find scripts on the Net?
Nope – Rehearsal doesn’t acquire scripts for you, nor do we sell scripts through the app – if you want to find a script, we suggest you visit our friends at ScriptCity.com – their scripts in PDF format work great with Rehearsal.
Could you possibly make the words in my script bigger because I can’t see them very well 
You can make the words as big as you like – do you know how to use your two fingers to pinch and pull images so they get smaller and larger? Same thing with Rehearsal – just place your fingers on the screen close together, then spread them apart and the image will get nice and big. You can also turn your iPhone sideways and use it in landscape mode.
I’m not an actor in Hollywood or New York or London. How can I use Rehearsal?
There are lots of actors that aren’t in the main hubs of production in the world using Rehearsal. Here are a few examples:
- School plays in Dallas
- Regional theater in Idaho
- Touring companies in Australia
- Dinner theater in Paris
- Community theater in Maryland
- Commercial production in Miami
- Workshops everywhere
I’m not an actor, but I work on television, film and stage productions as part of the crew. How can I use Rehearsal?
As we showed Rehearsal to actors on sets across Los Angeles (where the App was born), we found other members of the production team gazing longingly over our shoulders, and by the time we were done demoing, they had each come up with 5 or 6 ways they could use Rehearsal. Here are some:
- Makeup: use the Comments feature to take continuity photos and do special effects studies
- Wardrobe: continuity photos, wardrobe samples for selection by designer/director
- Director: creating animatics or storyboards, Comments on certain shots, takes
- Cinematographer: Planning and previewing shots, taking note of lighting settings
- Location director: taking photos and videos of locations, tied to points in the script where the location is needed
- Editor: pre-planning for editing sessions
- Story editor: takes that worked and takes that didn’t
- 1s AD, 2nd AD: notes on scenes, script, actors, movements etc.
I’m not an actor at all. How can I use Rehearsal?
If you’re a:
- Salesman
- Manager
- CEO
- Teacher
- Professor
- Coach
- Clerk
- Customer service rep
- Politician
- Civic leader
- Volunteer coordinator
- Foreman
- Crew leader
- Trainer
…virtually anyone who has to speak, teach, lead, manage, train, coach or guide from a script or set of notes, you can use Rehearsal the App to memorize and explore the nuances of your scripts or notes. You might not think that training someone how to deal with angry customers is a performance, but both your teaching and their jobs are just exactly that: performances. And they can both be made better with Rehearsal the App.
I was showing Rehearsal to some friends of mine with IPhones and they pointed out that it seems like it might also be good for lecturers who want to keep lecture notes in a better format on their IPhones/PhD students ready to defend their dissertations. Not sure if that had crossed your mind or not, but figured it might be food for thought.
Yep – every time we turn around, someone else has a use for Rehearsal. If you’ve got a use for it, let us know – email David at davidlawrence@gmail.com – we love it!
How do I use Rehearsal with hard copy scripts?
There are a couple of ways you can get a hard copy script into Rehearsal the App.
The most straightforward is to burst your script and scan the pages that you have scenes in into your computer as a PDF. You can do this very easily with a scanner like the Neat (which means you can use it for more than just keeping track of your performance-related expenses) or any other scanner. Then, simply email the finished PDF to your Rehearsal Email Address as normal.
NOTE: DO NOT TRIM YOUR SCRIPTS TO SAVE SPACE – scan the entire page, and keep them at 8 1/2 x 11 or, in Europe, A4 format, with nice thick margins (remember, you can zoom in on your lines really tight by pinching or pulling)
You can also use the IPhone’s camera to take snapshots of each page with an inexpensive scanning app available in the App Store – just search for Scanner Pro on your device (or just click this link). You take a picture of each page, assemble the pages into a PDF, and email it to your Rehearsal “script+” email address, all in Scanner Pro. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Is Rehearsal the App compatible with Macintosh? Windows 7? Vista?
Rehearsal the App lives and breathes entirely on your iPhone – it doesn’t care what kind of computer you have, as long as it can run iTunes.
What professional actors that I might have heard of use Rehearsal the App?
The creator of Rehearsal the App, David H. Lawrence XVII, uses it for every audition and every booking he gets. He’s been on Heroes, LOST, CSI and many other shows. Other actors will get their chance to brag about how Rehearsal the App works for them on our Testimonials page.
What happens if I get a call while recording a script with Rehearsal?
Unfortunately, if you get a call, your recording will be lost, and you’ll have to re-record your scene. Which isn’t as bad as it sounds, as it’s unlikely you’ll know exactly where you were and how you were delivering your lines when you were telephonically interrupted. Nothing we can do about that. But…look at it this way: that could be your agent calling with yet another audition, one that would be for a series regular role, right?
We suggest that if you want to be completely at ease with not being interrupted, place your iPhone in Airplane Mode (under Settings) – that way you can’t be interrupted by anything
What if the email message I forward has more than one PDF file attached to it?
That’s fine – all of them will end up on the server, which is why there’s a Preview before bringing your scripts into Rehearsal – you don’t want to rehearse with that map to the audition, do you? And, if you have more than one script you’re bringing in from one message, that’s fine as well – there are times when your agent might send two auditions in one email. We’ve got you covered – any PDF files attached to the messages you forward will show up in your Preview listing.
What’s the maximum file size for one PDF file to be emailed to the Rehearsal email address?
We don’t currently have a hard limit on incoming message size. Most mail systems won’t let you send out an e-mail larger than 10 or 20MB, though.
What’s the maximum file size for recording and emailing the mp3 file/my scenes?
Our server has a maximum upload size of 7MB. That should work out to be close to a 3 minute recording.
If you don’t see what you need here, please email David at davidlawrence@gmail.com with your question.
So I just downloaded Rehearsal and I emailed a scripted that I already had on my Iphone in PDF format and went to add it to “add new scripts” and it said that I only have 2 more scripts that I can add for free. so after that I get charged $1.99 for my own scripts that I add?
TonyTV,
To use it in Rehearsal, yes. That is one of three payment options, with more listed above. You can still read your PDF in the built in PDF reader on your iPhone for free, but to be able to mark it up and record and rehearse scenes with Rehearsal’s advanced features, yes, after your three free uses, there is a charge.
It’s really reasonable no matter how many auditions or bookings you get. If you only are going out once or twice a month, it costs less than a Starbucks to prep for those auditions. If you go out all the time, or you’re regularly working, or both, the $19.99 a month unlimited usage or even cheaper yearly rate is for you.
We’ve worked hard to make Rehearsal a professional product for professional actors. Hopefully, you’ll find it worth the small cost to use it.
Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
I just uploaded my first trial script, and I must say I love the toolset you have created. I have been doing the voice memo thing for a while now, and this is such an improvement.
I do have a few questions/comments however. As I said, this was my first attempt, so bare with me if you have already addressed these problems.
My script is over 100 pages and I’m having trouble scanning through it quickly to find the pages I want. Each page takes about 5-6 seconds to load and the application only seems keep a limited number of pages in memory. As I get to the end of the document, if I want to look back, I need to wait for the pages to load again.
This begs a few questions;
1) Does the application store the documents locally or does it require network connectivity the entire time you are using it? (Can you use it in airplane mode for instance?)
2 )Is there a way to pare down the script or bookmark pages to make jumping around from scene to scene easier?
3) Is the load time affected by the properties of the PDF? (Font subsets and other settings in PDF distiller for example)
Again, I’m excited to start using this application, but I’d like to know if there is anything I can do to make it work more efficiently.
Thanks,
Thanks for giving Rehearsal a shot in your acting arsenal.
Sounds like you’re not in every scene, but even if you are, do what I do when I have a feature length script or am guest starring and am in multiple scenes, separated by lots of pages where my character isn’t on the page: separate your work into scenes.
You only have to make your recordings from the beginning of each scene you’re in, to the end of that scene. I rename all of my scenes and takes to match the scene numbers, then work with them individually. So, if I’m in:
– Scene 1, pgs 2-4
– Scene 3 – pgs 8-11
– Scene 20- pgs 44-45
– Scene 48 – pgs 90-93
and so on. Rehearsal will bring up only the pages needed once you record those scenes – no more scrolling. And we’re working on an enhancement that lets you group scenes so they play back in the order you’ve grouped them, either in numeric sequence or by shooting schedule, or any way you want.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you need anything else.
David
Thanks for the suggestion. That does help once into the mode of memorizing and character work.
I managed to answer my own question on the connectivity; Yes it does work in airplane mode which is very good.
I’d still like to know more about the technical PDF issues if you have info. I’d test several options myself, but I’d rather not have to pay for the multiple uploads if I can get the information from you.
Are there optimal settings for the PDF format?
This is not a huge issue, but I’m kind of a geek about this stuff and I have the tools to alter PDF files. I hope to be using the aplication alot, so any help you can give me in this area would be appreciated.
Thanks again this app rocks!
We’re glad you like it! I’m going to let Brian comment on this, perhaps offline since it’s really technical, but we’re on the path to helping you. Awesome.
I downloaded the app, rebooted my phone….when I went to sign up, it gave a fatal error on my email address. PLEASE HELP!
I think it would be important to tell us all about the PDF specs, since I just uploaded part of an Act and I couldn’t even read it in Rehearsal.
thanks
Wade
Hi,
I’ve emailed a script from my PC to my account—and It hasn’t shown up in the server yet. How much time does it typically take for a script to process through the servers?
Wade – there’s nothing special about the PDF’s we read – we tested with casting directors here in LA and in NY, and if there’s nothing out of the ordinary with your PDF or Word doc, it will be read.
Andrew – it typically takes a few minutes or less to show up. You will (once we and Google get the email issues hashed out) get a notification, but it’s there before the notification goes out.
Thanks, david. The problem persists, though. Here’s another thing–I am using Foxit PDF reader for my files, is that file not supported? I am sure it is a normal PDF file, but perhaps it isn’t processing right.
Your reader doesn’t usually have anything to do with it – is that the app that you’re using to *create* your PDF as well? If so, then it could be the process that Foxit uses to create their PDF files. We do know that Adobe certified PDF creation tools put out PDFs that we can read. That may be the issue you’re having. We can’t support reverse engineered solutions, if in fact that’s what Foxit is doing.
Madman…
1. We are working with Apple on the iPad version as we speak. But we’re not allowed to tell you that, so pretend that I just lied.
2. We’re also working on exactly what you describe as “digital ink.” We’re calling it a “scribble note”. So, we hear you.
3. FD is on our list of file formats – we’re waiting for the Final Draft people to return our call so we can get the file spec from them. PDF is far more common in on-camera, and Word is more common than I’d like in the VO world, so we chose those first.
4. You’re welcome. And thanks for using Rehearsal. Did you get your notice that you now get a full 30 days of it free?
Love the app. Hope you are planning an iPad version. If you are, please add one major feature. Digital ink so I can write directly on my script to take notes in rehearsal like I do with a paper script. Adding a text comment is too slow. I’d loce it if I could just write on the script. Maybe placing to fingers on the screen as if you were holding a pencil? Anyway, looking forward to what’s next. It’s good, now, burcan’t wait to see how we can go paperless in the industry. Oh, also…any chance of ever being able to import a Final Draft script someone sends me? I know they can send it to me as a PDF, BUT… one less step is always better in my book. Thanks.
ive emailed over a pdf three times now and when i click add script it says there are no scripts on the server…Ive checked and all the details you gave me are correct…what now??
hey, david! what a brilliant idea! i don’t have an i-phone but do have a macbook and an i-tunes account. i also have a blackberry. any chance this app will make it’s way to either of these venues? thank you! shelley
Thanks for the compliments, Shelley!
We’re looking at other platforms, but currently, we’re concentrating our efforts on the iPad version of the app, which, hopefully, will be ready when the iPad is released on Saturday, April 3.
And just so you know, with the use of a very inexpensive Thumbtacks Mic (available for less than $13 in our store), you can use Rehearsal with an iPod Touch, as well as the iPhone and iPad.
thank you for the quick reply, david! have a beautiful weekend and thank you for all your hard work! shelley
Hey there! Love the app so far, but have one question: is there a way to sort the scripts (such as alphabetically) once they’re added to “My Scripts”? Thanks!
Michael
That’s a great suggestion, Michael – we’re adding it to our list of enhancements.
So I just downloaded the update – which is good because it was a little buggy and I thought it was a fix…
But now all my scripts are wonky! The highlighted lines don’t match up and I can’t see a whole portion of the right side of each page, and I can’t scroll over. I don’t want to uninstall and re-download because then I’ll have to pay for all the scripts I have on there!
Please email me some kind of fix!
I’ve just mailed you privately to further investigate this – I just upgraded and everything seems to be in the right place, but if anyone else is experiencing any issues with today’s iPad-compatible upgrade, please let us know here or through the Tell us your Success Story button on the info page in the app itself.
So…
…a quick phone call with Brian, and then with Caroline, and we’ve uncovered the issue, and we have a workaround, as well as a fix in the works for the next upgrade. Also, it wasn’t all of Caroline’s scripts, it was all of the scenes that she had created with one particular script that were “wonky.”
If any of you have a PDF file where the pages within that file change size (in Caroline’s case, the first 6 pages or so were one size, and the rest were another, slightly larger. We figured out that another fix we implemented in the 1.1 upgrade released today to handle A4 page sized was causing this. The workaround is to delete the odd sized pages, reupload the newly minted script and re-highlight. Her pages are now fully viewable, and yes, she has to re-highlight them, but she is where she needs to be.
This will be fixed in the next update, which we’ll start working on after Saturday’s introduction of the iPad, and we waiting to see what happens when you all get your hands on it.
Thanks again, Caroline! It was lovely to meet you telephonically!
David
I have downloaded 2 scripts to my iPad. When viewing them in the ADD NEW SCRIPTS section, I can view them perfectly. But when I add them to MY SCRIPTS, I can barely read the pages. I see that any PDF should work, but is there a bug somewhere. The included sample scripts read fine. Just not my scripts. They are about 3.9mb in size, so didn’t know if it can’t process them correctly. I really like the idea of this program. I am a theatrical lighting designer and hoping to take my notes tonight at rehearsal.
Thanks
Usually this is because the PDF’s pages were scanned in at different page sizes, trimmed manually after scanning, or scanned at a consistent page size other than 8 1/2 x 11 or the European standard A4. See the comment directly above regarding Caroline’s issue – if you want to forward me the script, I can verify that that’s the problem, but I’d bet it is.
Can you re-scan the script? For you, and everyone else, even if the script is smaller than regular letter or A4 size, scan it in at that size anyway – you can always pinch/pull in to see your words nice and large. If it’s a stage script, scan in each page individually by flipping the book over to scan in just the left or right page, and center the page on the scanner glass so you have a nice big border around each page.
I do appreciate you giving Rehearsal a spin! And we’ll do our best to help you as quickly as we can.
David, the script was 8.5×11 with the page(from a standard bound script) centered. I scanned them on a auto-sheet feeder and all should be the same size. How can I forward it to you?
Thanks
JP
Is there any chance that this will eventually support writing on the screen. I love the ability to add text notes, BUT…can I just use my finger to write stage directions on the script? Quickly? Just hoping that with the iPad’s larger realstate, this will become an option soon. Thanks.
Absolutely – it’s one of our most requested features. It’s going to be called Scribble, and it will be out on one of our very next revs.
Hey David,
but wait…I can’t because my pre-recorded voice is going to STEP all over my line! It’s VERY frustrating to have to start the entire clip over again. PLEASE? I know it’s an easy thing to add…
So I love this app soooooo much. But as I’m sitting here at my day job plugged into my iPad rehearsing a scene. I can’t help but wonder why there is NOT a pause option in the playback (I would like one in the recording too…but I would settle for just one in the playback) I mean, sometimes I may want to try something different at a certain point maybe speed up, maybe slow down, take a nice dramatic pause
Your loayal customer,
Renee
It’s actually not as easy as you’d think, but we’re working on both pause and slight rewind – and I’d suggest to you that you should record YOUR lines at half volume, so they are just there to cue you as to the words – not performance. That way, you can easily talk over them in a million different ways. And, remember, you can always record as many versions as you want, including one where you don’t speak at all – once you learn your lines, just leave space for them, and rehearse with that one.
But know that we’re working on it. And we thank you so much – you are one of our most loyal users, and we appreciate that!
Hi,
Great App, i’m finding it really useful, however very occasionally I find that a script I have uploaded seems to be too far to the right (i can only see the left hand side) and I can’t move it over or even unpinch it out to see the right hand side. I have tried re-uploading the script but the same thing happens. Is it a problem with the way I am scanning the PDF?
Thanks,
Mark.
Most likely, it’s being too clever about the scanning process. Mimic what casting directors do, and you’ll be fine.
To work with a physical script, burst your script (remove the staples or grommets from the pages) and then scan the pages of your script IN NUMERICAL ORDER on the scanner at 100 to 150 dots per inch (DPI) – no more than that
Scan the script ONE PAGE AT A TIME (not double truck – separate the pages so that they are by themselves if you’re scanning a folio-type play with pages that are side by side), saving the resulting scan as a multipage PDF file. Any scanner should be able to accomplish this for you. Keep all pages at Letter size – this is very important.
Center the pages for each single page scan, and don’t try any fancy tricks with the scanning software – let Rehearsal pinch and pull to zoom.
If you’re using Rehearsal on an iPhone, you can also snap a photo of the individual pages with another app called Scanner Pro and save those pages as one PDF.
We suggest you only scan or photograph the scenes in which you have lines, reading the entire play from the hard copy, but rehearsing only from sides you need. Then, simply email the PDF to your assigned “script+” Rehearsal email address.
Hope this helps – let me know if there’s anything else you need.