Doesn't matter what you use to write... so long as it looks like a screenplay and it reads well, producers couldn't give a flying.

I use Final Draft. While I agree that special software is no longer needed to write scripts. there are tools in commercial packages that can help with the process. Just to name a few of the features I use:

- Color Coded Index cards - great for notes, scene status and outline
- Version comparison - it's nice to be able to auto compare one version of your script with another and get an instant look at the differences/changes between the two.
- Voice - FD will read your script to you - found that it helps with some of the dialogue.
- Reports - easy to generate scene reports, character reports, etc. etc. that are very helpful when cleaning up a draft.
- etc. etc.

Again - not saying you need to invest in paid software to write. That being said, there are tools that you get that I for one find valuable. They may not be to others.

Quoted from eldave1 They may not be to others.

Nope. I honestly just need a blank page. The only thing I do like is the automation part. However, that is also possible, at least in terms of formatting, in standard word processing software. I never use cards or anything like that. No story plans other than what is in my head. I prefer to just write.

I personally find that most of the tools are redundant.  They are either things that already exist in one capacity or another, or at worst are distractions that get in the way of actually getting the words down.

But it's all about personal preference.

At this point in time, my ideal screenwriting software would be a text editor that remembers character names the way a screenwriting program does.

That's it. Maybe John August's Highland does that? But it's not available for PC, as far as I'm aware.

Being able to just write and not have to tell the program that I'm about to write an action line has been very freeing for me.

Judging by chats on forums, I think a lot of people are realising just how much slower it is to have to fit into the programs paradigm, rather than just writing. What was once a massive help in terms of speed has become a bottleneck in the advent of Fountain. It's just so clunky to have to tell the software what I'm about to do. Instead of just hitting return, I have to hit return, and tell the program whether the next line is Action, Character etc

Screenwriting apps will always have their place, but for now, I see them as as finishing apps rather than as a place to do the bulk of writing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lElhyw3WGxo


Try it out. Many of you will be surprised at jut how much better screenwriting is on any old text editor than on a dedicated software. It's simpler, faster, more robust, future proof, has complete cross platform functionality and is completely free.


Anything is now a top of the range screenplay program: Including the forum. Write out a script in Fountain protocol on the forum, copy it into an app.....and you have a perfectly formatted script. It is the future.

Quoted from DustinBowcot Nope. I honestly just need a blank page. The only thing I do like is the automation part. However, that is also possible, at least in terms of formatting, in standard word processing software. I never use cards or anything like that. No story plans other than what is in my head. I prefer to just write.

Yep - different strokes - I can't so that - I need some kind of  organizational framework - probably because I was an accountant in my younger years - old habits

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I personally find that most of the tools are redundant.  They are either things that already exist in one capacity or another, or at worst are distractions that get in the way of actually getting the words down. But it's all about personal preference. At this point in time, my ideal screenwriting software would be a text editor that remembers character names the way a screenwriting program does. That's it. Maybe John August's Highland does that? But it's not available for PC, as far as I'm aware. Being able to just write and not have to tell the program that I'm about to write an action line has been very freeing for me. Judging by chats on forums, I think a lot of people are realising just how much slower it is to have to fit into the programs paradigm, rather than just writing. What was once a massive help in terms of speed has become a bottleneck in the advent of Fountain. It's just so clunky to have to tell the software what I'm about to do. Instead of just hitting return, I have to hit return, and tell the program whether the next line is Action, Character etc Screenwriting apps will always have their place, but for now, I see them as as finishing apps rather than as a place to do the bulk of writing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lElhyw3WGxo Try it out. Many of you will be surprised at jut how much better screenwriting is on any old text editor than on a dedicated software. It's simpler, faster, more robust, future proof, has complete cross platform functionality and is completely free. Anything is now a top of the range screenplay program: Including the forum. Write out a script in Fountain protocol on the forum, copy it into an app.....and you have a perfectly formatted script. It is the future.

Checked out the video - thanks

Going to stay with FD. However, this looks like a cool fix for writing on the phone - will certainly experiment there

Well worth the experiment. I much prefer it.

Bear in mind that it's not an either/or choice.

Write in text with Fountain and you can put it straight into FD....as well as every other package.

And of course, you can move your .fdx files into other packages, and back into fountain as well.

Another blog about the benefits of Fountain, this time using Scrivener as a plotting tool, before exporting the text file to Highland (or any other program that will reformat your work).

http://www.jonathanball.com/my-screenwriting-workflow/


Like this guy, I've found getting away from the enforced linearity of screenwriting programs to be a massive bonus.

i remember you talking about Fountain a while back Rick. Will check it out closer. So how do I start using it? From a website?

I still write my scripts the old fashioned way - with a biro on paper then I transfer it to whatever software I have. This sounds like double handling  - and it technically is - but when I go to copy to the screen, I can edit it as I go and usually think of new stuff to put in as I do it. This eliminates lots of drafts and catches any grammar errors too.

Steve,

Fountain is just a syntax.

https://fountain.io/



INT. SIMPLY SCRIPTS FORUM - DAY

STEVE sits in his denim shorts, gazing wistfully at a picture of John Lennon.

STEVE
Gosh. Isn't he handsome?


CUT TO

EXT. JOHN LENNON'S GRAVE - NIGHT



That's basically Fountain. Copy and paste that text and stick it in an app that can read Fountain and it will automatically transform it in a script.


You can write in any plain text application. They have the file extension .txt

Notepad
Word
OpenOffice
DropBox text editor
Google Docs
Email
The hundreds of text apps on phones
Etc


As long as you follow the Fountain syntax, then when you put it into a package that understands Fountain (Dubsript, Highland, Final Draft etc..it will automatically reformat it into a script).


Practically you want to start with either a Dropbox Account or Google Drive. Put your text files in there.


On your phone, download a writing app that uses text....Jotterpad, IA Writer are both good. Very simple and link to Dropbox/Google Drive.

If you have a tablet, do the same.


Then all your laptop/desktop/phone/tablet are linked across your cloud storage and you can write your scripts anywhere.

You just need a simple package to convert the Fountain text to script format. That can be your existing screenwriting app, or you could download a free one like Highland (IOS) or Dubscript.


I find it faster than screenwriting programs. There are no bottlenecks, there are less steps to writing and you can write how you want, rather than being trapped into their system.

It also means that any writing package....like scrivener, writewaypro, powerstructure etc geared towards novels becomes a screenwriting app as well.

There are quite a few hidden benefits.

Worth trying out. Definitely good for when it's impractical to break out your A4 pad.

Lol great example!

Um cool I'll check it out further. Cheers bro




OK Rick I dloaded Dub to my phone. Then I wrote some sample on Notepad and copied to clipboard. How do I now get it onto Dub?
Ah got it. Have to press hard to Paste lol

Ideally you want to do everything through the cloud...have your text files in Google Drive or Dropbox, depending on whichever app you're using. That way you make changes on the same text file and it's updated across the board.

It doesn't matter if you are on your phone, laptop, desktop, IOS, Android or even an ancient 386.

It's kind of hard to emphasise just how good this is.

Text files basically work on anything, and just about every story writing or planning software exports text files as an option.


For instance, you can plan your script in Contour and then export the outline as a text file.

Same with Dramatica, storymind, scrivener etc etc which means after you've answered the questions they ask, you end up with with a text file which you can then merely adapt into a fully formed script.

Knowing you can do that, you can start writing your story in the planning software and when you export it to text, you've done half the job already.

Before there was always an extra step involved..you would plan it out, but then largely had to start from scratch with a new app.

Using Fountain essentially takes all those old planning software and converts them into screenwriting apps and pretty much unifies all screenwriting and writing packages into one.

It's making a massive difference to me and I'm only just starting to find my way around it, and the possibilities.

It's an absolute Godsend.

For those having difficulty imagining the cloud Rick is talking about... cast your minds back to a show called Monkey Magic.

Yep, that cloud.

Can't believe no one's mentioned Amazon Storywriter. It's pretty bare-bones, but it's functional, flows very well, and is exportable into a couple of different formats if necessary. It also has no limits, at least none that I can see. All you need is a free account.

It's browser-based (with a desktop app available I think) and gets you a direct line to Amazon Studios. That alone puts it well above the rest of free options out there IMO; it essentially has an open submission system and built-in networking. They've also recently improved their writer agreements, which initially they got some flak for.

-Julio

Quoted from ReaperCreeper Can't believe no one's mentioned Amazon Storywriter. It's pretty bare-bones, but it's functional, flows very well, and is exportable into a couple of different formats if necessary. It also has no limits, at least none that I can see. All you need is a free account. It's browser-based (with a desktop app available I think) and gets you a direct line to Amazon Studios. That alone puts it well above the rest of free options out there IMO; it essentially has an open submission system and built-in networking. They've also recently improved their writer agreements, which initially they got some flak for. -Julio

Awesome, thanks! I started using Amazon Storywriter a couple of days ago after taking a long time off from writing. I was looking for a free tool that's fast, stable and easy to use. It has everything I need (although notes might be helpful but well...), IMO the best free writing software on the market. The only thing I'd like to know is how to add contact information on the title page.