Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working on your film for a while now, adopting new tools and technologies will only make your life easier.

Not only is tech being used to make our lives simpler, but these tools and applications are making their way into the lives of filmmakers and visual storytellers everywhere.

If you’re wondering which apps are trending and rate high in usefulness, check out this short list.

If you’re looking for a tool that can organize and structure your shots, Shot Lister is a professional shot listing and scheduling app. It’s has several features that include: building, organizing, scheduling and sharing shot lists & shooting schedules digitally. You can even upload your script and manage your filming project, real time, from set. The app is available both for android and iOS devices with some great tips on the site.

2. Artemis Director’s Viewfinder

Artemis Director’s Viewfinder is a digital tool that replaces the traditional viewfinder that would hang from a director’s neck, “with a more convenient form factor and far more accurate and adaptable feature set” (according to the app’s developers). In addition to view-finding, the app allows creating, saving and sharing of images and recording relevant data. It’s mainly used by directors and cinematographers and the tool is praised for offering a ‘great method to discuss and refine lens, framing, lighting and grading choices’ throughout the production process.

3. Helios Sun & Moon Position (iOS)

Helios Sun & Moon Position is an app you can use to calculate the position of natural light, be it the sun or the moon. You need to get your hands on this app if you are a cinematographer or photographer who works with natural light. It’s an easy tool that’ll help you plan your project around ever-changing sunlight positions. One of the most interesting feature of this app is that it can calculate how long a shadow stays on an object, such as a building or tree, if you provide it with a specific height.

4. Scriptation

If your project involves working with people and your script needs constant updating, changes and modifications, then Scriptation will help you make all the necessary changes without any troubles. Especially if you’re working with handfuls of script pages, this app comes with features and tools that makes the script polishing process easy. Scriptation is flexible and efficient, which means you can focus on the other important aspects of your production - especially if you are a one-person-team who handles the production from beginning to end.

5. Illuminati

The need for a light meter in film production is a no-brainer in these digital times. This light and color meter app has a ton of positive reviews from numerous one-man-team filmmakers and videographer. All you have to do is leave the device in the scene as set up the lighting, and Illuminati measures the intensity and contrast using the app connected to your smart phone. Looking at the ratio, you’ll be able to adjust the intensity from your phone without making a trip to your lighting device. The app also comes with several other features to help you perfect your lighting and color.