software

gambit924 · Nov 30, 2010

Of all the screen writing software listed in the sticky above, what is the best, the easiest, and the safest? Thank you.

WMcQuaig · Nov 30, 2010

I use Final Draft 8. It's a pretty simple program with a lot of little bells and whistles that you might use, you might not.

The only downside, It's really expensive.

gambit924 · Nov 30, 2010

I was thinking of the available free stuff. What's the best of the free stuff?

Bmwhtly · Dec 1, 2010

I use Celtx. Free, easy to use and very handy for formatting.

Miss Plum · Dec 1, 2010

I'm not sure why everyone overlooks Microsoft Word. For the home user, it's a powerful and flexible tool that integrates with tons of useful apps. It's easy to set up your own templates, but I see in the sticky there are free templates available. I started with a script and reformatted it as a graphic novel, all within one file thanks to MS Word.

alleycat · Dec 1, 2010

gambit924 said:
I was thinking of the available free stuff. What's the best of the free stuff?

Probably Celtx of the free programs.

I use Movie Magic however.

rainsmom · Dec 1, 2010

If I were going for free, I'd use Word. But as a matter of choice, I use Final Draft.

monkey see monkey do · Dec 1, 2010

Celtx, no fuss no muss.

Fulk · Dec 1, 2010

I use Celtx. It's a very nicely designed program, and while I'm taking people's word for it, I hear it's the next closest thing to professional software like Final Draft.

Rolkus · Dec 1, 2010

Uhhh, Word isn't free...

I use CeltX - very good program, and I also use their iPad app when on the move around.

Supports a lot of pre-production things, definitely worth checking out.

WriteKnight · Dec 1, 2010

I write on Scriptware and Movie Magic. While at the Austin Film Festival - chatting with writers and producers, the freeware app MOST mentioned was CeltX. So it has some 'penetration' in the market. Still, most write with Final Draft or MM.

Verbal · Dec 1, 2010

I'm a Final Draft man. Used to use Word, but such a drag to have a character name dangling at the bottom of the page with the dialogue on the next. Always had to do a final check through to make sure, then, if I made any changes, it would throw the pagination off. Drove me to drink. Not that I really needed such a strong reason to drink...

Can't really speak to the Freeware option, except to say, (affecting his best Leonard "Bones" McCoy) for God's sake Man (or woman), we spend money on all kinds of crazy stuff for ourselves, what better thing to spend your hard earned dollar on than your future career? Invest in your hopes and dreams. You're a writer, not a bricklayer!

mario_c · Dec 1, 2010

The Final Draft/celtx comparisons taken on a Mac/PC sort of rivalry. Essentially one, you pay for right up front. Celtx you can download and use on one PC/Mac for free, but you pay to edit from your iPad or iPhone. Uh huh...

I haven't complained about SceneWriter Pro lately, since I've been preoccupied with a little adventure. Long story short: I submit to beta test SWP 4 for Mac, since I paid for the program on PC long ago. Write 40+ pages, find out SWP is discontinuing or suspending or something, their Mac edition. Spend several days chopping out XML code from my script and transforming it into celtx. Annoying is an understatement. So, don't go that route.

software

gambit924

WMcQuaig

insert something original or whitty

gambit924

Bmwhtly

Yes, I'm back.

Miss Plum

alleycat

Still around

rainsmom

Feeling like an old timer

monkey see monkey do

Recklessly Pessimistic

Fulk

Occasional Contributer

Rolkus

Thunder from Downunder

WriteKnight

Arranger Of Disorder

Verbal

Suspicious of Bunnies

mario_c

Your thoughts are not real...