Celtx

Celtx is a media pre-production software suite designed to support the planning, structuring and organisation of a wide range of creative projects, including screenplays, films, stageplays, documentaries, machinima, video games and podcasts. Developed by Celtx Inc., the software has evolved from a desktop-based writing tool into an integrated digital environment used widely by independent creators and professional studios. Its adoption across film, television, theatre and digital storytelling contexts reflects its versatility and reliance on industry-standard formats.

Origins and Development

Celtx originated in 2000 in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, when entrepreneurs Mark Kennedy and Chad House founded the company then known as Greyfirst. The name Celtx was later coined as an acronym representing Crew, Equipment, Location, Talent and XML, capturing its focus on practical production needs and digital document structuring.
The earliest version of the Celtx software was launched the same year as a desktop application intended primarily for small and independent production companies. It was built on the open-source Firefox browser architecture, allowing users to work in both online and offline modes. This approach aligned with the wider open-standards movement of the early 2000s, employing technologies such as HTML, XML and the Resource Description Framework.
As the user base expanded, Celtx transitioned towards cloud-enabled services. By June 2013, the software was offered as a subscription-based web service alongside its desktop version, enabling collaborative workflows and cross-device accessibility. The parent company Greyfirst rebranded as Celtx Inc. in December 2014, formalising its association with the software product. As of September 2022, version 3.0 was listed as the most recent version on the Apple Store. Celtx Inc. later became part of Backlight, a Boston-based media technology company established in 2022, which oversees several media software businesses.

Core Functionality and Writing Tools

Celtx provides a structured screenwriting environment aligned with professional industry standards. Its writing modules support screenplays, television writing formats, stageplays and radio scripts. A rich text editor is also available for authors working on novels or prose-based projects. Automatic formatting helps writers maintain consistency, and the system incorporates templates and layout conventions used throughout the screen and broadcast industries.
Beyond basic scriptwriting, Celtx integrates tools for tagging characters, props, locations and other production elements. These tagged components can later be transferred automatically into script breakdowns, which are essential for planning shooting schedules and allocating resources.

Collaboration, Storage and Project Management

Celtx Studio, the cloud-based extension of the software, facilitates real-time collaboration among writers, directors, producers and other team members. It provides online storage for scripts, planning documents and visual materials. Within a shared project space, multiple users can comment on drafts, revise documents and coordinate production assets.
The software also hosts the Celtx Exchange, an online publishing platform where creators may upload scripts for public reading, review and feedback. This has contributed to a community-driven ecosystem of peer learning and exposure for emerging writers.
Scheduling tools are built into the production management suite, enabling the creation of production calendars, call sheets, shooting schedules and production boards. These features support logistical planning and ensure alignment between creative and technical teams.

Production Elements and Pre-production Tools

The software provides more than thirty distinct project elements, including actors, set pieces, lighting requirements and special effects. Each element can be supplemented with descriptive notes, reference images or media files. The ability to tag these elements directly within the script enhances continuity and streamlines the pre-production workflow.
Storyboarding functions form another key component of Celtx’s pre-visualisation capabilities. Users can create sequential visual panels, arrange them into scenes and view them through an animatic playback system. This helps directors and cinematographers conceptualise camera movement, shot composition and scene progression.
The Shot Blocker tool offers a simplified sketching interface where users can design shot layouts using preloaded icons for cameras, lights and performers. These sketches may be integrated into storyboards, facilitating planning for on-set setups and blocking arrangements.

Technology and Community Contributions

The origins of Celtx in open, non-proprietary technologies supported its early adoption among independent media practitioners. Licenced initially under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, the desktop application benefitted significantly from community involvement, including voluntary feature development and translation efforts. This helped form an international user base and contributed to iterative improvements in functionality and accessibility.
As development progressed, Celtx Inc. remained headquartered in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Following its acquisition, the company became a constituent of Backlight, which operates several media software subsidiaries focusing on cloud editing, digital content management and real-time media solutions.