Script Formatting w/ MS Word Doc. Question

gophergrrrl · Apr 21, 2008

Hey guys, I'm new here, this is my first thread. Looking for other writers to help me along my way, as I'm glad to do the same if I can.

Anyway, my question is this-- I'm using MS word doc to create my screenplays. I know, I know... I'm such a stooge for not having Final Draft or something, I just don't have the money for stuff like that. (No, really, I don't have the money, as in; can't get it.) So, things are going decent, except for formatting my dialogue. Now, I've had a look at some scripts from websites like 'simply scripts' and such, as I've heard those are great to use for guides as far as formatting goes. I know my margins aren't exactly aligned like most of them that I see on the site(s). So, my question is what do I need to do to fix my dialogue? And, am I going to have to scrap what work I've done on formatting in order to change my margins to look like the ones at simply scripts?.. I'm asking that part because when I DO try to change my margins to mirror those on the site's scripts, it resets ALL of my formatting.

Help? Help help help.. please? I will appreciate it so much! =o]

-sara

alleycat · Apr 21, 2008

Well, they're not perfect but the free scripts programs from the BBC writer's website work well (there's a link to the site around here somewhere). They will be perfectly serviceable until you get to the point of actually submitting a script. By then, maybe you'll have purchased Movie Magic or Final Draft and then you can import your data into one of those programs.

Don't starting typing all your work in again, it can be imported into one of the professional programs and with just a little work made to fit the standards.

If you want to run a little test to see how well your current work imports into MM, let me know and we'll go from there.

dpaterso · Apr 21, 2008

Welcome to the board.

I'm moving this thread over to Script Writing forum (there's no charge

) where you might get more answers.

Also 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

odocoileus · Apr 21, 2008

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

icerose · Apr 21, 2008

Welcome to the board, as others have pointed out, not all script software costs money. Enjoy.

gophergrrrl · Apr 22, 2008

Thanks guys. I'm dling Celtx right now. Another question-- I have a program called Cynergy, but when I try to copy and paste my work on it, the formatting goes NUTS! I'd be better off just retyping the whole dern thing! The program is also kind of awkward-- it's handy with the automatic formatting, but sometimes it just gets confused and puts my text in weird places. I dunno, maybe I'm using it wrong. Anyone else use Cynergy?

icerose · Apr 22, 2008

Sorry I never have, but I have converted documents into Final Draft. If the formatting is severely messed up because the original document wasn't obvious enough to the program, then I just type it up, I'm a fast typer so it doesn't bother me. If it's just a few lines here and there, then I'll slowly read it and fix it since fixing formatting doesn't take much time either.

But this is coming from a final draft user and not a Cynergy user. I would say try and see what works for you and your program.

dpaterso · Apr 22, 2008

gophergrrrl said:
Another question-- I have a program called Cynergy, but when I try to copy and paste my work on it, the formatting goes NUTS! I'd be better off just retyping the whole dern thing! The program is also kind of awkward-- it's handy with the automatic formatting, but sometimes it just gets confused and puts my text in weird places. I dunno, maybe I'm using it wrong. Anyone else use Cynergy?

Sorry, it's been so long since I tried this software I can't even recall what file options are available. It can't, for example, import or export RTF format? (As opposed to copy/paste... which you might try washing through Notepad first, e.g. copy/paste to Notepad which usually drops any hidden control codes, then copy/paste a second time from Notepad into your application.)

-Derek

stuckupmyownera · Apr 23, 2008

Re Cynergy: I haven't used it myself but the norm would be to save (or export) the script as a plain text file before loading it into the new programme - this might help.

Once you start using Celtx you'll probably forget all about Cynergy anyway

Another you could try is ScreenForge by Apotheosis Productions - another MS Word template, but the best by far.

Script Formatting w/ MS Word Doc. Question

gophergrrrl

Been a while but I've returned...

alleycat

Still around

dpaterso

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odocoileus

icerose

Lost in School Work