FilmWIP Created by Scott Morgan, w/Grok Build

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers about accounts, local media, changing devices, the private portal, gallery, and feedback.

What is FilmWIP?

A free filmmaker site: a public gallery (featured showcase films sit at the top) plus a private portal after you register. Plan tools cover scripts, story timeline, storyboard, reference, and prompts. Media & edit covers a local library, Onion Board (onion-skin frames), Sequence Board, and Rough cut / Resolve handoff. Share is My Films, gallery submit, and messages. Clips stay on your computer. Overview: home page and About.

Do I have to use every tool?

No. You can hop in with a small subset. A simple film loop: Storyboard → Draw (sketch frames) → short prompts on the Prompt Board or from Reference → make clips in Grok Imagine (or another tool) off-site → bring downloads onto the Sequence Board, arrange order, optionally Stitch videos into one local file or Export media list for paths and durations. Projects, scripts, Media folders, Rough cut, and Resolve export are optional layers when you want them. Logged-in walkthrough: Getting started — simple path.

Does FilmWIP upload my video files?

No. Your clips, stills, and audio stay on your computer. You connect folders in the browser; FilmWIP reads files only with your permission. The server stores account data, project planning text, labels, tags, prompts, and similar metadata — not your media file bytes. See also what follows you when you change devices.

If I log in on another computer or browser, what is saved?

Your FilmWIP account is the same everywhere you sign in. Planning work and settings that live on the server come with you. Real media files and this browser’s folder/file permissions stay on the original device.

Follows your login (server)

  • Projects (including Cast & world sheets: cast, locations, props, design), scripts, shot lists (including duration, transitions, correction notes, Imagine prompts)
  • Shot ref names and folder paths you typed — not the image/audio/video files themselves
  • Storyboard data (including drawings saved as frame data), Onion Board frames and books, Sequence Board plans, Rough cut timeline data, Story timeline beats
  • Prompt Board, notepad text, project notes, Media labels/tags (metadata only)
  • My Films entries, gallery/profile requests, messages, filmmakers you’re a fan of, panel layout widths

Stays on that device / browser

  • All image, audio, and video files on your drive
  • Connected Media folders and permission to re-open them (reconnect or “Restore folder access” on the new machine)
  • Linked shot videos and Imagine-pack file handles used for previews (you may need to link or choose files again)
  • Some UI preferences (e.g. Context open/closed, notepad window position, remembered folder strings in this browser)

On a new device: sign in → reconnect Media folders if you use them → re-link shot videos or re-pick Imagine refs if previews are missing. Filenames and paths you saved still show so you can find the same files if they exist on that machine.

Later: optional cloud storage so media files can persist across devices may come in a future version. Today FilmWIP is local-first so private footage does not have to leave your computer.

My connected folders disappear after I close the browser

Folder links are stored in this browser (not on FilmWIP’s servers). If Chrome is set to wipe site data on exit, those links are deleted every time.

Make sure “Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows” is off for this site, or FilmWIP storage is wiped every time.

In Chrome:

  1. Open Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
  2. Turn off “Clear cookies and site data when you close all windows”, or
  3. Add filmwip.com (or your local preview address) under sites that are always allowed to save data

Also use the same site address every time. For local preview, http://127.0.0.1:8080 and http://localhost:8080 are treated as different sites.

Folders are listed but media is empty after a new visit

That is normal in Chrome and Edge. Folder links can remain saved, but the browser often requires a fresh permission click after a new visit.

Open Portal → Media Library and click Restore folder access (or Reconnect on a specific folder). Your files are still on disk; nothing needs re-uploading.

On Safari or Firefox there is no live folder link. FilmWIP keeps a receipt of the last pick (file count and names) on the folder card. Use Restore this folder, pick the same disk folder, and labels rematch by file path. Restore folder access restores one folder per click in those browsers.

Which browser should I use?

Chrome or Edge (or another Chromium browser) work best for connecting local media folders — they can keep a live folder link and restore access with one click. On Safari or Firefox, Media Library still works: use Connect folder to pick a folder or files for this browser. Files stay on your computer (never uploaded). A receipt of file names is saved on the folder card. After a new visit, use Restore this folder and pick the same disk folder — tags and labels rematch by path. Large libraries can fill browser storage. If that happens, FilmWIP will warn you — disconnect a folder or add fewer files. Nothing is uploaded; files stay on your disk. Public pages (home, gallery, profiles) work in modern browsers generally.

What is a “path note” on a folder?

A short reminder you type for yourself (for example, where the folder lives on your drive). It does not open the folder or restore permission by itself. Use Reconnect (Chrome/Edge) or Restore this folder (Safari/Firefox) if access is lost. Safari/Firefox also show a receipt of the last picked file names on the card.

What are Character, Location, and Prop tags?

In the Media Library you can tag items with the same roles Grok Imagine uses for reference media: Character, Location, or Prop. Mark AI references, then open the Prompt Board to see them in the side panel — download a copy to drag into Imagine (browsers cannot inject local files into another website automatically).

How does Grok Imagine work with FilmWIP?

FilmWIP helps you build prompts (Reference Library, Prompt Board, scripts → Imagine) and track local reference files. Copy + Imagine copies text to your clipboard and opens Grok Imagine; you paste into Imagine yourself (Ctrl/Cmd+V). Media files never leave your machine unless you download or attach them in Imagine.

Note: FilmWIP is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of Grok Imagine (or SpaceXAI). We simply like using it and design optional workflow links for filmmakers who do too. You can use any image or video tool you prefer.

Share links (proof of source): FilmWIP cannot read Imagine for you. After you create a still or clip, click Share and copy that link, then click download and copy the file name from the save window (include .jpg / .mp4 if you can). In Portal → Prompt Board (right column) or Media Library → Imagine sources, paste both and save. You can also paste the share link on an open library card. Sequence Export media list, Rough cut Export clips + transitions, and the project package then list those share links next to the file names used in that output.

Where do I keep cast, locations, and props for a film?

Open the film in Portal → Projects. Under Cast, locations & design you get cards for Cast, Locations, Props, and production design: role, look, inspiration vs attached, optional actor, and links into Media, shots, boards, and prompts. Drag cards to reorder, then Save sheets. Open Add or edit names, notes, and image paths to type new rows (Add another for more). Image files stay on your computer; a web URL shows on the card, a local filename is a note plus any Media Library match. Suggested workflow for the project is in the Context panel.

What is the Story timeline?

In Portal → Story timeline (Plan group) you map one open project on a ruler whose length is the project’s target runtime, the shot-list total, or a custom length. Turn on structure overlays (three-act, Hero’s Journey, Save the Cat, Kishōtenketsu, five-act, eight sequences) or a film example (Jaws, Star Wars) with beats at the same share of runtime as in that movie, drag beats to where they belong in your film, and add your own beats with short notes. It is planning only — it does not change Rough cut, stitch, or any video file.

Can I draw my own storyboard frames?

Yes. On tablet or desktop, open Portal → Storyboard, create or edit a frame, and choose Draw storyboard (or Draw on a board card). You get pen, eraser, line, rectangle, oval, arrow, text, undo/redo, and a library of scene stamps (figures, camera icons, motion arrows, set pieces) you can drag onto the board. Use as frame image saves the drawing into that stack frame; you can also save a PNG to a local folder.

What is Onion Board?

Onion Board is a light-table for stop-motion and drawn animation. A row of thumbnails along the top is your frames. The current frame sits on top; you can show the previous or next frame faintly underneath (onion skin) so you can match motion, the way classic cel animators used a light table. Import a still from this computer, draw from scratch, or draw on top of a still. Pencil and eraser only change the drawing marks — the still stays until you clear the frame. Save the board with your project (or as a standalone scratch board). This frame → Sequence / All frames → Sequence sends stills to Sequence Board. Show player plays the frames as a flipbook (with Loop). Save as book keeps a named slot of the current frames (up to eight books on this project or standalone board). Click a book to load it; Save to this book updates that slot. An Aspect overlay can sit on the drawing area; choose Entire frame or Crop only so Sequence Board, the player, and thumbnails use the full still or just the crop.

What are Sequence Board and Resolve handoff?

Sequence Board is a visual ordering tool for stills, storyboard frames, and shot videos (snap filmstrip or freeform). You can start without a project, then attach one later. From the shot list, send shots to the board. From Media Library, check videos or stills and use Selected → Sequence, or drag a card onto Sequence Board in the left menu. On a card, ⧉ duplicates that still or video (next in order); × removes it. Hover previews stills/clips on the cards; Play sequence runs the full order in the program viewer above the board (turn on Loop to repeat until Stop).

From the board toolbar you can:

  • Stitch videos — record clips in board order into one seamless local file (hard cuts). Stills can hold ~2 seconds each, or play as stop-motion: set Stills to 6–30 fps and each image is one frame. Save to your Downloads folder or pick a path. Files stay on your computer.
  • Export media list — a text document with each clip’s sequence #, file name, full path, duration (when the browser can open the file), and any Grok Imagine share link you recorded for that file name.
  • Export list / Resolve handoff — order, titles, notes, and assembly helpers for DaVinci Resolve (or Full pack after Save when a project is linked).

Rough cut is the multi-row editor: place video and audio on layered rows, drag to arrange, and play a program viewer where the top row wins for picture and sound (overlaps act like soft cuts; gaps play black). Add video/audio transitions, then Stitch & save film for one local file of that layered program view (MP4 when the browser supports it, otherwise WebM), or Export clips + transitions for individual media plus an edit/transition map. Guides above the program viewer (rule of thirds, aspect frames, letterbox, title safe) are preview-only. With an aspect chosen you can zoom and drag the picture, then Stitch cropped to export that frame. EDL/XML/assembly guide still support Resolve handoff.

Why can’t I use Storyboard, Onion Board, Sequence Board, or Rough Cut on my phone?

Those tools are built for tablet and desktop layouts. On small screens FilmWIP shows a clear message instead of a cramped editor. Use a larger device for storyboard drawing, onion-skin frames, sequence arrange, and rough-cut timelines.

How do I hear about a filmmaker’s new films?

On their public profile, signed-in visitors can choose Be a fan (choose it again to stop). That list lives only on your profile — other people cannot see who you’re a fan of. When a filmmaker you’re a fan of has a new film approved for the public gallery or their public profile, you get a notice in Portal → Messages (the number on Messages in the top nav).

How do accounts work?

Register with a unique FilmWIP handle and password. Email is optional and not required to use the site. We may use it later for password resets or extra content if those features arrive, and only if you opt in. We will not email you unless you opt in later. You can always reach an admin through Portal → Messages without giving an email. There is no email password reset yet — if you can log in, use Messages; if you cannot, a site admin can set a temporary password. Edit your profile (website, bio, X, YouTube, other social). You can delete your account from Edit profile → Delete my account (a confirmation step is required). That removes the account and the data we store; files on your computer stay on your computer. Admin users sign in with the same login form — there is no separate secret admin URL.

Where can I see what changed or what’s planned?

Open Build updates in the top navigation (or the footer). It shows a two-column doc: Shipped improvements on the left (newest first) and Planned / wished ideas on the right. You can also open it in a floating window from that button. Planned items are not a schedule — use Send Feedback if you want something considered.

How do I send feedback?

Sign in, then use Send Feedback in the top navigation. FilmWIP is still in development; feedback is appreciated. Messages are read, but replies are not given directly. Private support questions can also use Portal → Messages (separate from the feedback inbox), even if you did not provide an email at registration.

Will there be cloud storage?

Optional cloud storage so media files can persist across devices may come in a future version. The current design is local-first so private footage never has to leave your machine. For what already syncs with your login versus what stays on one device, see If I log in on another computer or browser, what is saved?