If you read that headline, you may be confused. What exactly is Amazon Storyteller? Well, it’s a new service from Amazon Studios that allows writers to turn their scripts into storyboards, complete with characters and dialog.

This new storyboard can then be shared with others for feedback. The new service launched today, but is currently in beta. The best part, it’s free.

“We’ve found that many writers want to see their story up on its feet in visual form but find it harder than it should be to create a storyboard,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “Storyteller provides a digital backlot, acting troupe, prop department and assistant editor—everything you need to bring your story to life. We want to see great stories turned into movies and television shows and we’ll continue to develop new features and tools that help people develop great stories.”

Want to know more? Here’s how it works:

Storyteller begins by scanning a movie script that has been uploaded to Amazon Studios. It identifies the scenes, locations and characters from scene descriptions, and “casts” them from a library of thousands of characters, props and backgrounds. Filmmakers can recast or change locations, or they can upload their own images.

Two of my favorite sub-genres are Gladiator and Zombie movies. So, imagine my excitement when hearing the news that horror master Clive Barker, of Hellraiser fame, has been tapped to write a new film for Amazon Studios called, appropriately enough, Gladiators vs. Zombies.

That’s right horror fans, the Barkmeister himself is set to rewrite and direct the film which will center on a shaman who’s about to die. Before he’s killed he lets loose the first plague of zombies against Rome and it’s up to a group of gladiators to stop the hungry zombie hordes.

Sounds like a winner to me. Zombies are really popular these days, even showing up in the (spoilers) recent season finale of Game of Thrones. Plus, The Walking Dead is going as strong as ever so the zombie craze seems to have no end in sight.

Still, any movie is a risk and this could also end up being a huge disappointment. Anyone remember Cowboys vs. Aliens? Yeah.

We’ve seen real innovations in the way that films are being distributed as of late.  Many films are being rolled out for a pre-theatrical release via On Demand.  This helps build word of mouth and buzz before the actual opening date of the movie, and allows people to see the movie who might not otherwise have the opportunity until the movie is released on DVD.

Now comes word that online retail giant Amazon is poised to change the very way that movies are developed. The Los Angeles Times has reported that Amazon will start a new website, Amazon Studios, that will partner with Warner Brothers for a first look option at new movie scripts and sample movies.

Here’s how it will work: writers and filmmakers will be able to upload their scripts and sample movies directly to the site. The site community then will provide feedback and suggestions for the submission. The cream of the crop will brought to Warner Brothers, and if a film is optioned, Amazon Studios might end up producing the project.

Roy Price is the president of Amazon Studios, and he claims that the idea is to update the decades-old process of script submission and movie development, and bring it  into the digital age. There is a catch, though.  People who submit their ideas will be signing off on an 18 month exclusive right to their material by Amazon Studios. Still, for the creative type who hasn’t been able to get their foot in the door, this will be a viable option.