seeking...comprehensive review(s) of screenwriting software

Reviews, not exactly comprehensive...

http://johnaugust.com/archives/category/screenwriting-software

http://johnaugust.com/index.php?s=celtx

ATP said:

Thanks.

Hmmm...you would think that with the seeming "two-hands full" of screenwriter software available, that at least one organisation or publication would have done a comprehensive review/comparison.

Or is this just wishful thinking on my part, and not such a seemingly obvious thing to do for one's members/audience?

Click to expand...

Over the years, Creative Screenwriting magazine and others have done reviews. I don't know if they're available on line.

As a practical matter, reviews don't matter all that much. For pros, there are really only two options, Final Draft and Movie Magic. Both programs are industry standard, and nearly all pros use one or the other or both.

You can download demos of both, and try them out. (I'm assuming the Movie Magic demo is currently working.) See which one you prefer.

Both programs go for around $200, give or take. Cheap for top level software for working pros, quite costly for hobbyists.

For someone who's not working at a professional level yet, there's no burning need for MM or FD. You can save your money and work with one of the freeware programs mentioned in the info section. They're free to try, so you can make up your own mind.

As Derek notes, it comes down to personal preference. I started with Scriptthing, which became MovieMagic, and that's still my fave.

Yeah, basically two

There are always some small players establishing a niche out there (as Sophocles did before it disappeared, and it was great).

But basically you have two professional choices: Movie Magic Screenwriter and FinalDraft.

Celtx is there as a free alternative. It is developing, and will eventually be a major player, I think.