Screenwriting Software

Question

I'm looking for a recommendation for screenwriting software for someone who's just starting out. Are there any free programs out there that do the job fine? Or do you recommend plunging right into a program like "Final Draft'? Which one do you recommend using?

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]I'm looking for a recommendation for screenwriting software for someone who's just starting out. Are there any free programs out there that do the job fine? Or do you recommend plunging right into a program like "Final Draft'? Which one do you recommend using?[/nq]
"Final Draft" and "Movie Magic Screenwriter" are expensive and since formatting is all you really want now I don't think I would go with them to start out. (Both have free trial downloads, BTW. "Final Draft" at www.finaldraft.com and "Movie Magic Screenwriter" at www.write-bros.com.)
Celtx (www.celtx.com) is free and it's getting better all the time. A program called "Scenewriter Pro" which is written by a person who used to post here, is pretty good and, currently, it's just $20 (free trial available at www.virturalamnesia.com). I like "Movie Magic Screenwriter" (bought an older used copy on eBay) but, as I mentioned, it's expensive to buy new. You can use "Hollywood Screenwriter" a cut down version of "MMS," which costs about $35 at Amazon.com. Also, if you decide you need the features in "MMS" you can get an upgrade credit for "Hollywood Screenwriter" when trading up to "MMS." There's also a good program called "Sophocles" (www.sophocles.net) that a lot of folks like. They also off a free trial.
Some folks here will say that a template or set of macros for M$ Word will work well. Some are free and I hear that the same templates will work with the free Open Office Write I like Open Office Write, but I don't know about its template features to confirm how well it works with Word templates.
At any rate, to start out, I would look at the free Celtx program. It does the basic formatting very well even has some report features and prints to PDF.
Good luck.

RonB
"There's a story there...somewhere"

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm looking for a recommendation for screenwriting software for someone who's just starting out. Are there any free programs out there that do the job fine? Or do you recommend plunging right into a program like "Final Draft'? Which one do you recommend using?[/nq]
Standard reply to students on my course -
Using the software saves time and has formatting built-in so you don't have to figure it out.
Just try them out in trial versions and find out for yourself -

www.finaldraft.com
www.sophocles.net
www.screenplay.com
www.scenewriterpro.com
For free add-ons to Word -
www.online-communicator.com/swsoftin.html
*
Non-standard reply. Scenewriterpro is cheap, about $20 last time I checked. PC only. Raves about it by users on my group.

I use Screenwriter unless I have to use Final Draft, personally.

If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great Security.
Samuel Adams

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Standard reply to students on my course - Using the software saves time and has formatting built-in so you don't ... in trial versions and find out for yourself - www.finaldraft.com www.sophocles.net www.screenplay.com www.scenewriterpro.com For free add-ons to Word - www.online-communicator.com/swsoftin.html[/nq]
You might want to look into Celtx and add it to the standard reply if you like it.

RonB
"There's a story there...somewhere"

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Standard reply to students on my course - Using the ... www.sophocles.net www.screenplay.com www.scenewriterpro.com For free add-ons to Word - www.online-communicator.com/swsoftin.html[/nq]
[nq:1]You might want to look into Celtx and add it to the standard reply if you like it.[/nq]
You're right. I should've - I like the Newfie CEO and have friends who rave about it.

Our life is what our thoughts make it.
Marcus Aurelius

Usenet · Answer

Another thing to consider is Customer Service. I have both Scenewriter Pro and MMS, while I believe Final Draft charges for CS.

Stephen Greenfield (pres. of Movie Magic Screenwriter) used to post on the old MWS upon occasion, and he's never taken more than a day to get back to me about a question.
Mark (the programmer of a Scenewriter Pro) once stayed up all night working on a problem I was having under a deadline. Of course, his night is L.A.'s day, so no problem for me.
Bottom line: I endorse both heartily. If $ is a concern, then definitely go with Scenewriter Pro.
-ADS.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Another thing to consider is Customer Service. I have both Scenewriter Pro and MMS, while I believe Final Draft charges ... problem I was having under a deadline. Of course, his night is L.A.'s day, so no problem for me.[/nq]
Mark is just an amazing guy that way. I don't know how he does it, for the price he charges.
[nq:2]I'm looking for a recommendation for screenwriting software for someone ... program like "Final Draft'? Which one do you recommend using?[/nq]
Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
Benjamin Franklin (Autobiography, 1771)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm looking for a recommendation for screenwriting software for someone who's just starting out. Are there any free programs out there that do the job fine? Or do you recommend plunging right into a program like "Final Draft'? Which one do you recommend using?[/nq]
Avoid Microsoft Word screenwriting templates. There are too many extraneous features in Word stuff that gets in the way of your writing. I use Final Draft v6. It's stable, it easily exports to a variety of formats, and stays out of my way when I'm writing. I use it on a 14" Apple iBook.
I just bought a MacBook and the program runs just fine (although I have to run it with the CD in). I haven't tried installing the Windows version into Windows XP/Parallels, but everything I've installed in that environment has worked flawlessly so far.

** http://www.coffeemac.com
**

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]I'm looking for a recommendation for screenwriting software for someone who's just starting out. Are there any free programs out there that do the job fine? Or do you recommend plunging right into a program like "Final Draft'? Which one do you recommend using?[/nq]
Get Movie Magic Screenwriter. The software is more stable than its main competitor, and industry folk during a recent meeting revealed that it is overwhelmingly their software of choice. And you don't have to pay for technical support, unlike the other (if things haven't changed).

That said, I favor Sophocles.

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