does anyone use screenwriting software?

[preyer]

i'm pretty much against programs that spit out outlines, that's not what i mean. i'd never spend money on that stuff, personally. but, software that supposedly makes screenwriting easily like with formatting, does anyone use those or are they just a waste of money?

[icerose]

Hi Preyer,

I despise the outlining and character sketch programs. I do however use Final Draft. It saves me oodles of time and I would recommend it to anyone. If you are expecting the program to make you a better writer, you are wasting your time and money, if you get it to save that time, I say it is worth every penny (and yes it is costly).

[NikeeGoddess]

if you're serious about screenwriting then you should make the investment in Final Draft or Movie Magic - both the most highly recommended in the industry

[pconsidine]

I love my Final Draft. Wouldn't ditch it if you paid me. Though I only got it so that I could work with another writer who was using it. She got a discount on it because it was her second copy.

That being said, there are a number of relatively inexpensive alternatives to programs like FD and Movie Magic. There are a ton of macros for Word out there, some of them free. I had Scriptwerx before I got FD and I liked that one a lot, too. And a good chunk of the PC camp swears by Sophocles.

Check around. You'll find something to smooth the process that won't break the bank.

[LabyrinthineMind]

I use Final Draft as well. You can find cheap copies on eBay, but that is considered pirating software and is frowned upon, generally. Though sometimes you can find a copy that someone is just trying to sell.

[JustinoXXV]

Well, I used to use Sophocles and Word macros. I now use Final Draft. While there are a lot of okay screenwriting programs out there, the problem is if you have to electronically submit documents (especially for a work for hire), you'll be making things a lot easier if you can submit them in a file format the production company's pc can read. Exporting from Sophocles and importing into Final Draft or Movie Magic would cause your format to be screwed up (it happened to me). So for that reason, I recommend Final Draft.

[Boo_Radley]

I use Final Draft 7 and swear by it.

PS -- check your PM's.;)

[Richard]

Final Drafter here too. I don't really do script format, but the customisability comes in really useful for other document types as well.

[StephieM]

I'm using a final draft 7.0 demo I got free off the net. :) It works for now, but soon I am going to purchase the full version. As soon as I can scrape my pennies together. :Sun:

Steph

[dpaterso]

Download the demo versions and try 'em out:

Movie Magic (http://www.screenplay.com/products/mmscreenwriter/index.html)
Final Draft (http://www.finaldraft.com/)
Sophocles (http://www.sophocles.net/)

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[GonnaBeFamous]

I have an older computer and first learned screenwriting on scriptbuddy. Unfortunately it doesn't work fully on my computer so editing is a huge pain. So my new scripts are done in microsoft word. I can write a script extremely fast only a few days and im halfway done with just a stupid word processor. I will rewrite it in microsoft word. I'll only put the final polish in the screenwriters software since its such a pain to rewrite, but it does put my work in PDF format and proper screenwriting format which would be a slight pain to have it done through word. I can get the formatting pretty close though, just margins and centering etc, is a bit tricky so I'll leave that for the final polish.

[icerose]

If you have final draft save your word program as a text file and open it in final draft and it will automatically put everything where it belongs and such so you don't have to type it in. Just a tip if you have that program.



I have an older computer and first learned screenwriting on scriptbuddy. Unfortunately it doesn't work fully on my computer so editing is a huge pain. So my new scripts are done in microsoft word. I can write a script extremely fast only a few days and im halfway done with just a stupid word processor. I will rewrite it in microsoft word. I'll only put the final polish in the screenwriters software since its such a pain to rewrite, but it does put my work in PDF format and proper screenwriting format which would be a slight pain to have it done through word. I can get the formatting pretty close though, just margins and centering etc, is a bit tricky so I'll leave that for the final polish.

[GonnaBeFamous]

I have windows 95. I looked up final draft and I think you need windows 98. It's not a big deal. I'm more concerned with writing the script at this point then formatting. I'm a man on a mission and I want to spit out an additional 2 1/2 scripts in the next 3 or so months. Why the rush? So I can spend as much time as I want fixing them. :)

P.S check out your critique thread, I posted in it. :)

[Jamesaritchie]

It seems like everyone I know uses Final Draft, though I know a couple of seasoned pros who still use a typewriter, one very famous pro who stills uses a typewriter, and several who just use Word.

I just use a Word Macro, and I've found it really doesn't matter much what you use. Everyone I've had to send screenplays to either wanted a paper copy or a Word doc, so the method I use to write the screenplay just doesn't matter to them.

The truth is, writing a screenplay is all tab and return, and I can write one faster without Final Draft. I can write one faster on a typewriter than on anything else, but getting good ribbons is a pain in the neck these days.

[Optimus]

If you have final draft save your word program as a text file and open it in final draft and it will automatically put everything where it belongs and such so you don't have to type it in. Just a tip if you have that program.

Yes, but make sure it's saved as a "rich text format" (rtf.) or the formatting may not transfer properly (even though you still need to go through your script to correct the few mistakes that FD may have made by formatting some lines incorrectly. It happens.).

I'd also like to point out that if you are using a macro for MSWord that you must ensure that the line spacing is the same amount of picas used by FD. I'm not sure the exact line spacing in FD, but I do know that it is much "tighter" than the Word template I used to use (which is a very good template, btw) and even using Courier 12 pt. in MSWord, the line spacing will kill your script by padding it unnecessarily (unless, of course, you're looking for a way to cheat and pad your page count).

Professional readers CAN tell the difference between a script printed by FD or MMS and one printed by a Word template with inflated line spacing (like many of the templates out there).

For instance, my latest script is 107 pages in FD, but nearly 116 pages in MSWord.

[icerose]

Good advice Optimus,

See I don't have MS Word so I didnt' have that template available. If you don't have it properly formated and everything is on the left margin but have it properly spaced and capitolized, Final Draft will actually convert it all into script format for you. Thought that was rather interesting and made it really nice to not have to go in and re-type everything.

[preyer]

great replies. is this something i'd absolutely have to get, though? sounds fairly expensive, and i just don't get into many programs with a lot of bells and whistles. beyond formatting, is there any advantages to using them? i mean, is it possible to be turned down just because it's not in FD? i highly doubt it is, so it is something i could get around?

[cekoya]

I would suggest you to read the book called CRAFTY SCREENWRITING from Alex Epstein, a very useful guide to anyone. He mentions the type of format your script should be in and I wouldn't recommend using Word as the margins could differ from one computer to another. Unless, you are then saving it into a PDF format.

[Enigma]

... and don't forget about all the "extras" MM and FP include, which different people who have different functions find necessary.

This isn't a plug for MM or FP, but (with writers being an exception) everybody I've talked to has and uses one or the other, and in ways and for reasons I never dreamed of.

[Enigma]

Yes, but make sure it's saved as a "rich text format" (rtf.) or the formatting may not transfer properly (even though you still need to go through your script to correct the few mistakes that FD may have made by formatting some lines incorrectly. It happens.).

I'd also like to point out that if you are using a macro for MSWord that you must ensure that the line spacing is the same amount of picas used by FD. I'm not sure the exact line spacing in FD, but I do know that it is much "tighter" than the Word template I used to use (which is a very good template, btw) and even using Courier 12 pt. in MSWord, the line spacing will kill your script by padding it unnecessarily (unless, of course, you're looking for a way to cheat and pad your page count).

Professional readers CAN tell the difference between a script printed by FD or MMS and one printed by a Word template with inflated line spacing (like many of the templates out there).

For instance, my latest script is 107 pages in FD, but nearly 116 pages in MSWord.

I presented this "problem" to the computer geeks (a term of respect) on AumHa one time and they weren't able to find a way around it. And if they couldn't we "lesser" probably can't.

[NikeeGoddess]

of course you don't have to get them
but, when you're ready to market your script then it should be in that format for various reasons: experienced readers can tell if the formatting is off (which it usu is if you don't use it) and many will want you to send it to them in a program that they have (most have both FD and MM but, PDF is universal and not an industry type)

just know that when you do get it and cry b/c you spent $300!!!! that once you turn it on you be crying that you've wasted so much time with formatting before and overjoyed with how much faster you can write b/c you don't have to think about the formatting. and you will be grateful for some of those bells and whistles too. ;)

[Enigma]

... you will be grateful for some of those bells and whistles too. ;)

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif And so will a lot of other people involved in the process, from the creative, to the production folks, to the bean counters.

[terryewalker]

I have two copies of Final Draft if anyone is interested.

[JustinoXXV]

I knew a lot of no budget film makers who were hackers and who had free boot leg versions of FD and MM. Really, if you download it from FD, you can do everything except print. However, there's a program that allows you to crack the demo, making it print and do everything the paid version does. So you could hook up with people who know how to do this.

[Enigma]

I knew a lot of no budget film makers who were hackers and who had free boot leg versions of FD and MM. Really, if you download it from FD, you can do everything except print. However, there's a program that allows you to crack the demo, making it print and do everything the paid version does. So you could hook up with people who know how to do this.

FYI: Both FP and MM limit installs to three. If you get a new computer, as I recently did, you have to call them and, brother, the information you give had better match. You can use a stolen copy but you'll have to insert the disk each time and thieves don't like to be inconvenienced.



My problem with this is that 70% of my income comes from royalties, the same as does the authors of those programs, and when someone steals from me, I get a little, well, upset. How would you feel as a writer if you were expecting, say, $50,000 but receive $10, "... because someone stole the rest?"



Some people attempt (operative word) to justify stealing, but stealing is stealing. Period! And, brother, do those kind ever whine when they get caught.

[JustinoXXV]

FYI: Both FP and MM limit installs to three. If you get a new computer, as I recently did, you have to call them and, brother, the information you give had better match. You can use a stolen copy but you'll have to insert the disk each time and thieves don't like to be inconvenienced.


Thieves put stolen copies on the internet. You can download it from the proper server. You can also make backup copies. Much like any other bootlegged software.

[Mac H.]

If anyone wants to use stolen, pirated software then sure. You can get if off the net.

But you better not complain if someone steals your script. Or your car.

Mac

[Jamesaritchie]

I knew a lot of no budget film makers who were hackers and who had free boot leg versions of FD and MM. Really, if you download it from FD, you can do everything except print. However, there's a program that allows you to crack the demo, making it print and do everything the paid version does. So you could hook up with people who know how to do this.

Or you could save up and buy it. If you don't want people stealing your intellectual property (writing), you should be advocating stealing someone else's.

[Jamesaritchie]

of course you don't have to get them
but, when you're ready to market your script then it should be in that format for various reasons: experienced readers can tell if the formatting is off (which it usu is if you don't use it) and many will want you to send it to them in a program that they have (most have both FD and MM but, PDF is universal and not an industry type)

just know that when you do get it and cry b/c you spent $300!!!! that once you turn it on you be crying that you've wasted so much time with formatting before and overjoyed with how much faster you can write b/c you don't have to think about the formatting. and you will be grateful for some of those bells and whistles too. ;)

I can write a heck of a lot faster, and format just as easily, without Final Draft, or any other such software. It isn't rocket science, and people have been doing very well without such software for a century.

If you want such software, then use it, but it's in no way necessary, and I know too many industry pros who don't use it to believe for a second you can't write without it.

If anything, Final Draft makes the formatting and writing slower, not faster.

I've been around a long time, and I've never had any pro ask what I used to wirte the scritp, or ask for a script in anything except Word or .pdf, both of which are a snap to do.

Writing isn;t done with software, it's done with wetware, and if you have the wetware, you don't need the software.

[Optimus]

If anything, Final Draft makes the formatting and writing slower, not faster.

Then, you're obviously using it incorrectly.

[GonnaBeFamous]

I've never used final draft, but if it works like another software ive used, microsoft word would be faster. I can easily format the spacing and heading placement as I type along. The centering and margins I don't know how to do though by hand.

[Optimus]

I've used Word with and without templates. A very good template works "almost" as well as Final Draft.

However, for anyone to think that FD or MMSW actually makes the process of writing/formatting slower, they'd have to be ignorant of how to properly use the program (a monkey typing with one hand while holding his feces in the other could use it easily).

[dpaterso]

(a monkey typing with one hand while holding his feces in the other could use it easily).I can confirm this.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[Enigma]

I'll bet even the toilet trained monkey can't write without typing! (BTW - that analogy was gross, but funny!)

Have any of you ever used a tape recorder to capture a great thought or idea?

Yeah, dumb question.

For rough draft work, using the Voice feature on Word Notepad works like a dream, allowing me to speak rather than type. When I'm tired, or thoughts aren't coming, and the monkey is busy doing his thing, then I go back and clean it up, and convert it to MM or whatever. Thoughts don't get away as often; just shut your eyes, lean back and say what's on your mind.

A person can speak three words a second on the average. Darned if I can type that fast. I know it's insane, but I even use it while driving (actually while I'm stuck in traffic).

I started using a cheap $29.95 headset from Radio Shack but once I got used to it, I upgraded to a light weight, budget-buster with a 15 foot long cord plus I added a 180GB HDD to Ghost the laptop and PC from time to time so I won't lose the "training," among other things.

But, like the monkey, it takes a little time to train it and the more you use it, the easier and faster - and smarter - it gets.

[NikeeGoddess]

there's absolutely NO CREDIBILITY in anyone who knocks FD or MMS who hasn't tried it. NONE!!!

ask justino - a year ago he was knocking it too. then he tried it and i'm sure he'll never go back to word or anyother lesser, non-industry software.

for you hobbyiest it really doesn't matter but, then you shouldn't argue against it.

[Enigma]

[QUOTE=NikeeGoddess]there's absolutely NO CREDIBILITY in anyone who knocks FD or MMS who hasn't tried it. NONE!!!
QUOTE]

I've used MMS for several years now and discovered early on that it was a lot like sex; once I tried it, I liked it - a whole lot! http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

I update my version of MMS every month or so because, like sex, it just keeps getting better and better as the two makers go head to head in efforts to dominate. Everybody I'm in contact with has either FD or MMS, and often both, and uses them on a daily basis.

Oh, FYI, there's talk that MMS might be adding Voice Typing to it's list of features in the near future. I'll be first in line to buy it if/when that happens.

[Julie Worth]

i'm pretty much against programs that spit out outlines, that's not what i mean. i'd never spend money on that stuff, personally. but, software that supposedly makes screenwriting easily like with formatting, does anyone use those or are they just a waste of money?

I tried one of the freebees, and it was too much trouble. So I use word, letting styles to do all the formatting. Took me about an hour to set it up.

[JustinoXXV]

there's absolutely NO CREDIBILITY in anyone who knocks FD or MMS who hasn't tried it. NONE!!!

ask justino - a year ago he was knocking it too. then he tried it and i'm sure he'll never go back to word or anyother lesser, non-industry software.

for you hobbyiest it really doesn't matter but, then you shouldn't argue against it.

Nikee's right, I would never go back to Word or Sophocles. Final Draft is the best screenwriting program out there.

And if you're seriously going to be a professional writer, when it's time to do collaborative work, you will need Final Draft. You won't want to be the odd man out.

[RustyVanReeves]

i'm pretty much against programs that spit out outlines, that's not what i mean. i'd never spend money on that stuff, personally. but, software that supposedly makes screenwriting easily like with formatting, does anyone use those or are they just a waste of money?

I use Movie Magic Screenwriter and I like it a lot. Very user friendly. :hi: It's not cheap. :mad:

[icerose]

Hi Enigma,
I've always envied people who could write through speaking it. Luckily I type on average 1 word a second. I think better with my hands than my voice so those software programs that you speak into and they type just never did work very well for me. (Not saying they are not very good programs its just how my thought process go.)

Often though my hands can find a way to express what my mind is thinking better than my voice can.

HEHE although if I did use a voice recognition software my story would sounds something like this.

The sun crested over the hill, the light filtering down on the sleeping village. Little did they expect...Kids, are tearing down the movies again? Be nice to your brother! a terrible plague was about to engulf the land.

So that would be a problem ;) My sister however uses a speech to type program for her writing and loves it so if you can work that way it is highly recommended to have that option as well.



For rough draft work, using the Voice feature on Word Notepad works like a dream, allowing me to speak rather than type. When I'm tired, or thoughts aren't coming, and the monkey is busy doing his thing, then I go back and clean it up, and convert it to MM or whatever. Thoughts don't get away as often; just shut your eyes, lean back and say what's on your mind.

A person can speak three words a second on the average. Darned if I can type that fast. I know it's insane, but I even use it while driving (actually while I'm stuck in traffic).

[Enigma]

[QUOTE=icerose]... HEHE although if I did use a voice recognition software my story would sounds something like this.

The sun crested over the hill, the light filtering down on the sleeping village. Little did they expect...Kids, are tearing down the movies again? Be nice to your brother! a terrible plague was about to engulf the land.[QUOTE]

Yeah, been there, done that, and it’s funny. If you move the mike up, or down, you can drink, smoke, eat, talk on the phone, or yell at the kids and it won’t be picked up.



I can also type rather fast, when I'm facing a deadline, but I once I got used to using voice, it changed my habits. They changed again when the kids left.



I'm considering something else; moving my "office" down to the guest apartment and putting black-out shades over the windows in the bedroom. I read where that helps concentration. Combine all that with the fact I write standing up, well, I expect the cookie truck to pull up any day now and fit me with a new jacket, one where the sleeves wrap all the way around to the back.

[dpaterso]

Movie Magic (http://www.screenplay.com/products/mmscreenwriter/index.html) user here. Unfounded blanket statements like "Final Draft is the best screenwriting program out there" are just silly. I agree that you don't absolutely need screenwriting software to write screenplays but once I get going, I find MM helps me enormously, it's easy, it's intuitive, and very few options aren't user-adjustable. I rate MM's tech support as outstanding, license glitches and any other problems have been solved via email within 24 hours, usually less, all part of the service.

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[preyer]

are there additional fees attached when you buy these programmes? like a monthly service charge for upgrades, patches, and support? (btw, i don't know why i'm shocked this has received so many replies, but i am. i'm glad it did, though: this is all good stuff to know.)

[dpaterso]

Which part of "all part of the service" didn't you understand? :)

I can't speak for other software, but Movie Magic has a "check for internet updates" option which downloads new or upgraded components, and support has never cost me anything extra.

As mentioned above, the major products all have trial versions, usually with printing or saving options limited but otherwise perfectly useable, download and try before you buy. And if you don't like them, which is possible, then don't buy!

-Derek
Derek's Web Page - stories, screenplays, novels, insanity. (http://hometown.aol.co.uk/DPaterson57/scripts.htm)

[Enigma]

are there additional fees attached when you buy these programmes? like a monthly service charge for upgrades, patches, and support? (btw, i don't know why i'm shocked this has received so many replies, but i am. i'm glad it did, though: this is all good stuff to know.)

I'm assuming MM, which I use, and FP are about the same.

No additional costs!

Update it every month or so - no charge involved.

DON"T LOSE THE MAGIC NUMBERS!

You can install it to your hard drive three times. Then, notify them by toll-free phone and they will reset it so you can uninstall it off one computer and put it on a new one, which I've done several times over the years.

[StephieM]

great replies. is this something i'd absolutely have to get, though? sounds fairly expensive, and i just don't get into many programs with a lot of bells and whistles. beyond formatting, is there any advantages to using them? i mean, is it possible to be turned down just because it's not in FD? i highly doubt it is, so it is something i could get around?

Like I said before I only have the demo of FD, so I don't get everything the full version would give. But I get enough to know the pros outweigh the cons. Before it would take me forever to format and it basically got in my way of writing. What the final draft does is remember every character, every slugline you use, so when you start to type it in, the slugline or character pops up on a box and all you have to do is press enter and VOILA! Another added goodie is the thesaraus, that I use more than anything. Instead of fumbling through a book, all you have to do is highlight the word, push thesaraus and yeah, a list of synonyms are at your fingertips. It's definitly something worth spending the money on. But I would take up Dp's suggestion and download the free demo's and decide for yourself. The demo's are perfectly usable, except on FD your only allowed to go as far as 15 pages and you can't print. (I found a way around the printing-if only to critique my own work).

I've been trying to get my husband to buy the full version for me for like a year. Eventually he will budge. :Sun:

Hope it helps-Good luck.
Steph

[sspunisher]

As for Movie Magic Screenwriter, I'm a student. So I went on Ebay and bought a student version of it which was much cheaper. Works exactly the same as far as I'm concerned.


ahem...

Hear ye! Hear ye!
I propose a toast, to Mr. Ebay, who makes expensive things affordable to us all.

[StephieM]

I've looked on ebay for Final Draft. The ones I have found to be the cheapest you have to be a student to get it at that price, and you have to fax them the proof before they accept your payment. I'm not a student, don't know any students. Therefore no Final Draft.

Steph

[Joe Calabrese]

If you own (legally) any other screenwriting software (Sorry, not including Word or regular word processing programs), you can get the Final Draft competitive upgrade (same full 7.1 version) for only $169 from the writer's store, you'll need to tell them which software and serial number you have to get the deal.

http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=2225&categories_id=128

Same price is also for Military and Academic but need to show proof too.

They also sell the non competitive for $229, which is a little cheaper than other places.

[Enigma]

[QUOTE=Joe Calabrese]If you own (legally) any other screenwriting software (Sorry, not including Word or regular word processing programs), you can get ....QUOTE]

When a script is saved to the FD format from MMS, do you know or have you heard if it converts cleanly?

[Joe Calabrese]

Even the best conversion from any one software to another requires some tweaking.

FD does a very good job of converting Rich Text, Ascii or HTML files into FD with few format errors.

Stuff like 1st word in paragraph which happened to be capped tend to turn into a scene heading, dialog broken up between parens tend to sometimes turn to action, stuff like INSERT: and BACK TO SCENE tend to turn into a scene heading or a transition, but not much else.

It usually takes a few hours of going through to fix things, but I find that it helps me focus on details for the next rewrite.

[Enigma]

Even the best conversion from any one software to another requires some tweaking.

FD does a very good job of converting Rich Text, Ascii or HTML files into FD with few format errors.

Stuff like 1st word in paragraph which happened to be capped tend to turn into a scene heading, dialog broken up between parens tend to sometimes turn to action, stuff like INSERT: and BACK TO SCENE tend to turn into a scene heading or a transition, but not much else.

It usually takes a few hours of going through to fix things, but I find that it helps me focus on details for the next rewrite.

What about converting a file to PDF? It's my understanding that PDFs retain the exact formatting by rejecting embedded codes that screw everything up - or something like that.

[Joe Calabrese]

Pdf's by their nature are locked and cannot be imported into FD or any program for that matter that I know of other than acrobat. FD can export a file to Pdf though.

[Lord_Galvatron]

I'm a Sophocles user and Beta tester of the 2005 version. I just finished my script on it and I'm very impressed by it. I downloaded FD and tried it, but I find Sophocles 2005 easier to use. :)

[sspunisher]

Steph,
They do require documentation that you are a student, but come on now. If you even attempt to show them some sort of "valid" documentation, they'll sell it to you. You can even go as far as registering at a local community college, sending them your classes, then withdrawing lol.

Personally I'd just make some up. Does this make me a bad person?

[Joe Calabrese]

Even registering at a cheap college requires an application fee which you lose if you withdraw, could be close to or more than buying the software.

Nice try though.

[Mac H.]

You can get the Final Draft competitive upgrade (same full 7.1 version) for only $169 from the writer's store, you'll need to tell them which software and serial number you have to get the deal.

http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=2225&categories_id=128
If you have a free evaluation copy of ,say, Sophocles, then you just tell them 'Sophocles' and give them the serial number of your evaluation copy. They still seem to offer the 'competitive upgrade' price. They don't ask if it was a full copy or an evaluation copy, so I guess they've got a 'don't ask/don't tell' policy.

You didn't hear it from me.

Mac

[aruna]

I have two copies of Final Draft if anyone is interested.

I am!
I adapted my first novel into a screenplay years ago. I used Hollywood Screenwriter first; it's cheap and does the job. Then a friend gave me Final Draft and I used that. The screenplay didn't go anywhere at the time but now I realise that the subject is pretty hot and I dug it out. Trouble is, I'ce changed PC since then and I no longer have FD. Am interested in gettimg back into screenwriting.... might want to get FD again. If it's still available.

[Andre]

I myself use Hollywood Screenplay, I bought it many years ago together with a program called Storycraft. I tried out FD and MMSW and like the last one the most. A nice future in Sophocles is that it shows the duration of the movie. I prefer still my old Hollywood Screenplay, was wondering, though, if this program ever had been updated. I wrote to that office a couple of times, but nobody ever answered back. Anyone knows about a newer version?

André

[Annabanana]

I tried programming styles into MS Word and I like it...a lot. The one advantage over using my screenwriting software is that the style transfers with the file and I'm not limited to writing only on my computer.

Someone posted instructions on Zoetrope, which are very easy to use and work well. I personall prefer CTRL+C for character, CTRL+D for dialogue, etc. rather than the F keys:

"I Lied. I use paragraph STYLES triggered by Fkeys, not macros. Read up on Styles in the online Help.

There's only 4 commands. I used these F keys only because they're in the middle of the keyboard, feel free to use others.

F5 ACTION
F6 NAME / CHARACTER
F7 WRYLIE/ PAREN
F8 DIALOGUE

(I labeled each of these keys right on the top of the keyboard in pencil.)

In creating a style, there's a Modify Style window with a button in the lower right corner: Shortcut Key. This creates a new popup where you enter the Fkey associated with the style you're developing.

ACTION Font: Courier, 12 pt, flush left, line spacing exactly 12 pt, Body text

CHARACTER Normal + font: Courier, All caps, Black, Indent Left 2.75" Right 0.75", Not Widow/orphan control, Keep with Next

DIALOGUE Font: Courier 12 pt Indent: Left 1.75" Right 1" Flush left, Line spacing single, Body text

WRYLIE Font Courier 12pt, Indent: Left 2.25" Right 1.5" Flush left, line spacing single, keep with next, Body text

Note that both CHARACTER (name) and WRYLIE have 'keep with next' - which, unless there's a wrylie after the character - is dialogue. This is how you keep your dialogue and the speaker name together. Action doesn't care. It can be followed by more action lines or by CHARACTER beginning dialogue. I forget what 'Not Widow/orphan control' does right now.

Body Text should be set Courier 12 pt, with line spacing set to 'exactly' 12 points. This covers you in case you forget to press F5 (action) in front of every single Action line.

In order not to have to re-enter these all the time, when I start a new SP I simply open an existing one, select All and delete all text, then Save with the new name. All the Styles stay in place, waiting to be triggered by their respective F keys.

And if you love your highend screenwriting tools, that's great, this is for those that choose not to do it.

Karl"

[Andre]

What about renumbering scene's and pages?

I worked with screenplay templates for my word processor (not word), and extracted a template from a macro so I could use the word-macro in my own word processor (atlantis). Here is the link to the template:
http://atlantiswordprocessor.com/en/html/res_center/templates_letters.htm

André

[odocoileus]

I'll put in a word for Celtx, an opensource, freeware formatting program. Its developers have made numerous improvements, and a new version with WYSIWYG display and text changing capacity should be out soon.

http://www.celtx.com/overview.html


You can use a freeware PDF converter in conjunction with Celtx, and print to PDF. I've been playing with it and it works fine for me.

When you become a working pro, Movie Magic and/or Final Draft become neccessities. If you can spare the cash, you might as well start using one or the other.

If you need it to be absolutely free, then Celtx is really the way to go.

[preyer]

ah, a free programme. now, that's what i'm talking about.

i thought numbering scenes was frowned upon unless you're the director, too?

[aruna]

Here's another free one, this time from the BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/

[odocoileus]

Scene numbering is an option in Celtx, because it's intended as a full feature production resource. Production managers and first AD's can number the scenes and make a shooting schedule. Props, wardrobe, hair, and makeup can use celtx to make their own breakdowns.

Scene numbering is just an option. Screenwriters don't need to use it.

[odocoileus]

Screenwriters needed to test new Celtx release:

http://forums.celtx.com/viewtopic.php?t=598

These new features make it a real option for those not ready to shell out for the big two.

[preyer]

i tried downloading the celtx, but since the publisher couldn't be verified by aol, i canceled it.

[Andre]

I like this prg, especially the fact that it is free.I am going to use it for a while with my current screenplay. Thanks for the link.

Andre

[Joe Calabrese]

I took a peek and...

I found the software's intuitiveness to be clunky (Need extra keystrokes to go to action from dialog, new scene heading etc..).

The other stuff not screenwriting related (media, camera, sounds, etc) is just wasted space.

Can't shuffle scenes.

Can't adjust margins and tabs.

Can't see what page your on.

To make reports you need to tag the script with elements, whereas FD and MM does it automatically.

It will only export to txt, or html which limits others opening your work. You need an account to generate a pdf and the pdf size is too big. It embeds as a graphic and not text, making the file size much larger than it should be.

And you can only import txt files however does a good job in keeping the formatting right.

But what do you want for free.

Not bad. I'm impressed.

[preyer]

hey, JC, think you can make your signature a few feet shorter? i just throws my page all off, making me have to scroll from side to side to be able to read all the text. or is that just me?

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