Website Review: FiveSprockets.com

It was inevitable that social networking websites and filmmaking resource websites would get together and have a baby. FiveSprockets.com is not the first (I've talked about the one that goes with The Power Filmmaking Kit) but it is the classiest one I've seen.

A truly web 2.0 site with a clean layout and software-like functionality built in, it launched just last week in the TechCrunch50 demo pit. While the Terms of Service reserve the right to charge in the future, right now it's free to use. They also lay no claim to any creative copyrights. How you use the site (as long as it is not for criminal conspiracy) is none of their business.

The sign-up is quick and doesn't ask for too much info, although I wish they had a more comprehensive list of interests and a way of noting your skill level in each field. Someone who is 'interested' in sound is very different than a professional sound recordist. I also wish Game Designer and Game Developer were not there -- game design is different enough that it belongs on a different site. You can further fill in your profile once logged in with the usual social networking/online dating info (e.g. Favorite Movies, Favorite Actors, Favorite Music).

There are some informational articles and blog posts but the meat of the site is in the collaborative tools. There is vScripter for screenplays, vProduction Office and a job board where you can post jobs.
I don't imagine the job market will be truly useful until the site attains critical mass. But there is certainly use right now for filmmakers who already know their collaborators and need a way to plan and schedule production. The ability to manage a whole production team remotely seems like a real indie way of doing things -- efficient and economical.

I'll be keeping an eye on FiveSprockets.com and maybe do a small trial production to see how it goes. Keep watching this space.

UPDATE: For more filmmaking social networking sites, see this post about Unusuals.net.