Posted script pages - unable to attach files

This is the Script Writing discussion forum.

As suggested above you can post script pages in our Share Your Work > Screenwriting critique forum (password = vista).

If you haven't already, check out the screenwriting tips sticky thread, which has links to sites full of scripts free to read for educational purposes, screenwriting software (some free or useable in demo mode), formatting guides, hints & tips, etc.

-Derek

hanman said:

I still think it would be better to have a simple attachment option but then that's just me.

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But then you've got viruses to worry about, and lordy-knows-what-size files taking up server space, and there's always going to be one member who says they don't have the software required to view your spiffy file attachment. Plain text is the lowest common denominator, everyone can read it with the minimum of fuss and bother.

That's not to say you can't post what's in your script file so it closely resembles screenplay format. The info in this thread: How to save your screenplay to plain text suitable for copy/pasting into forum msgs is also in the screenwriting tips thread.

-Derek

Rant away by all means, I've no problem with the theory.

"A good template site is Celtx.com" -- actually Celtx is a full-blown screenwriting application with some nifty features. But not everyone uses it, or wants to. And the argument against file attachments kinda snowballs from there, Member A wants Celtx, B prefers Final Draft, C insists everyone uses PDF instead, D can't export PDFs, E's PDF files only show the top half of each page can you help please, F uses a beta test version that no one else can read, G argues with B that Movie Magic is much better than Final Draft, H recommends Sophocles...

And suddenly plain text is looking pretty good.

Like I say, feel free to upload your script file (whatever it is) to a website and post a link here, or offer to email it to readers, or any workaround you like.

-Derek

Ah ha, you don't get off that easily.

All the templates you have looked at do not include all the templates for screenwriting that exist.

For instance, I write with Scriptware. The first and arguably still the best. It is no longer supported however. It does NOT allow for exporting a PDF.

This site has it's rules. It allows you to upload scripts.

Enjoy.

Celtx > Script > Generate PDF: "This action requires that you sign on to your Celtx Account." I DON'T HAVE A CELTX ACCOUNT! OMG WHAT DO I DO?! MODERATOR! MODEEERAAATOOOR!!!

I see Member D ("can't export PDFs") has also replied.

-Derek

hanman said:

I don’t want to sound as if I am arguing the point just for the sake of it. I’m not. But something like a screen play needs to seen in the right sort of format. I also write novels and they too need to look right so that they can be read right.

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I more-or-less stumbled across this thread; and I have little to add for the original poster's benefit. I was merely wondering: what is wrong with 'in forum/thread' formatting, whether it be for script or any other format?

hanman said:

As for signing on at Celtx to convert a file? It’s not necessary. Maybe it the first time you do it, I don’t remember but if I want to convert a Celtx file to pdf I go to the bottom of the text I have written and I click on typeset. Then up near the top of the screen you see a pdf sign and you click on it and save the piece as a pdf.

That’s it.

Click to expand...

No, that's not it -- that doesn't work for me! So we're both using the same application -- but we're seeing different things! Multiply this kind of problem by the number of members trying to perform the same operation using different software applications. Futz, that's full time tech support! No thanks!

Shrug, my opinion's worth no more than yours. Feel free to petition the board owner for this change.

Craig, nice formatting! Instructing everyone else on how to get things to look that good is the problem. Feel free to write a step-by-step procedure that details exporting from a half-dozen various screenwriting applications, including MS Word, to pasting exported text into messages and preserving the formatting.

-Derek

Have split this thread to preserve the OP of juggerburn's thread.

My two cents: the "virus" argument against attachments is kind of like the "no cell phones on airplanes" argument. It's pretty extensively believed that cell phones do very little to interfere with an airplane's instruments in flight but the ban exists in case that one new cell phone comes along that does mess with things. Same deal here. Most people aren't going knowingly upload viruses but that doesn't mean it can't or won't happen. A virus running amok on a board the size of AW wouldn't be pretty and the best way to stop that from happening is to say no to attachments at least for now. But by all means, send your suggestion to the board owner (Private message to recipient 'MacAllister' ) if enough people suggest it, maybe a new system can be arranged.

In the meantime, the formatting link for uploading rich text pages that Derek provided works perfectly well for sharing pages. And this is just my opinion but I think I prefer reading them on the forum. PDF and I... well, we don't get along. VMMV.