Final draft is easily the best program for script writing.  I downloaded it years ago and have never looked back.

If you can't afford stuff like Final Draft, use Word. I hear they've got a "script template" for it, so go for that. I've used it once or twice, and it's not bad.

I just downloaded this free software and, at first glance, it looks very impressive. Similar to FD or MMS but absolutely free. I need to play around with it a little more, but what I've seen so far looks promising.

Download it here:

http://www.celtx.com/

You need Firefox

Yeah

I've had ths program for a while, myself.. Not registered it though..

It does look quiet good and it will import ASCII text and RFT if I'm not mistaken..

Once registered with the server for the community who use this program then CelTx will print screenplays to PDF format, not before..

It is pretty reasonable..

I've had a play around with it and it's quite tricky to import files unless they are in text format. Copy/paste messes everything up. It does print to PDF though and registration is free (as far as I can tell)

I like it. I reckon it's the best freebie software I've tried.

Anybody know anything about Cinergy Script Editor?

If anybody needs access to free screenwriting software, check this out:
http://www.asdafilm.org.au/Web%20Postings%202005/LesterCrombie.htm

So is screenwriting software required, recommended, or do you even need it at all? How many people actually use it?

Unless you enjoy resetting your margins every other line, you should go with some software package.


Phil

I don't use or intend to use screenwriting software. I'm too used to resetting margins and what not. I feel like it's a part of my writing technique... except it's not... really. Anyway, basic Microsoft Word will do me.

Yeah, like GBM said, I've gotten used to setting my margins back and forth so I'm used to using Microsoft word.

Sean

I've been using Word since I started, and no one complains about my formatting. My fingers are actually attuned to hitting enter and then tab when writing dialogue. I don't reset margins or anything, I go with a handful of tabsets (1", 1.6", and 2.2"). For dialogue, I watch the ruler at the top of the screen and hit enter when I'm between the 4 and 4.5" marks. It's a tad more work than software (which I do have, but can't use at work), but not much one you get used to it.

But software does not negate the need to actually learn screenplay formatting.

Professional indy filmmakers use Movie Magic Screenwriter.

I used it myself. It wasn't bad but like word you basically have the same amount of work either way.

At the end of the day whatever you choose to do is up to you. I write my stuff in word and transplant it into FD6. The margins are off if you just copy and paste it so you have to go over it and do it all over again anyway.

I've grown use to Word as well but I like to give things a try so I've recently downloaded celtx which is also free. Just thought u ought to know.

Quoted from George Willson I've been using Word since I started, and no one complains about my formatting. My fingers are actually attuned to hitting enter and then tab when writing dialogue. I don't reset margins or anything, I go with a handful of tabsets (1", 1.6", and 2.2"). For dialogue, I watch the ruler at the top of the screen and hit enter when I'm between the 4 and 4.5" marks. It's a tad more work than software (which I do have, but can't use at work), but not much one you get used to it. But software does not negate the need to actually learn screenplay formatting.

yeah the only headache about that is when im writing dialoge and i hit enter for the next line... it will automatically capitolize the first word in the line before. so if i;'m not on top of things... it will look like this...


             STEVE
Hey, what the heck is
Going on here? Where
Is Mike?