Hello.

I dont know if this is the correct place to post such a question ( i hope it is).

I am looking for FREE( but not trial) screenwrite programs if there are any of those...

Please if you know any , post me a link to download it.

Im currently use Word but i need something to help me formating my scripts ....

Thanks in advance ...

Try Celtx.  I don't personally use it but I know lots of screenwriters that do.

There are people who use MSWord here.  You just need software or a site to convert to pdf.  

Celtx is a good program.

Don't use celtix... If you want incredible screenwriting software, some even say the best, let me know... I'll see what I can do for ya.

Balt, can you see what you can do for me as well?

I wanted something free - a lot of people said Celtx - I downloaded it and then my anti-viral prog. brought up a big question mark over malware. Admin at Celtx said my av was being "paranoid" &  that it was 100% clean, but I'm wary of it ??

What happened to Sophocles? I've been writing in an old "trail version" of  it and it is great imo!! FD is out of my budget at the mo'.  Anyone know of any other good freebies or lower cost alt's that can also be used "offiline"??

Balt's the man. He'll hook you up.

~Zack~

This isn't the first time that software 'sharing' was brought up here.  Before it gets too far, I want to point out something that came up the last time. Software is copyrighted material, just like our scripts.  If you don't like the idea of someone using your script without your okay, then you shouldn't be willing to take pirated software.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe This isn't the first time that software 'sharing' was brought up here.  Before it gets too far, I want to point out something that came up the last time. Software is copyrighted material, just like our scripts.  If you don't like the idea of someone using your script without your okay, then you shouldn't be willing to take pirated software. Phil

I'm with Phil.  It's such a small investment to get such a quality piece of software that you'll use A LOT.  And if you're a student, it's an even smaller one as most give you discounts.

I've been using Celtx for a year now and have had no problem whatsoever. Just don't go on their forums - they are absolute rubbish.

Keep in mind that you can buy older versions of the popular software for a fraction of the price of the newest version.  I bought FD5 when FD6 or 7 was just coming out. I think I paid fifty bucks for it.


Phil

Quoted from dogglebe Keep in mind that you can buy older versions of the popular software for a fraction of the price of the newest version.  I bought FD5 when FD6 or 7 was just coming out. I think I paid fifty bucks for it.

That's a cool idea. Maybe FD7 is within that range so folks can afford it now. FD is good because it has formatting for various current tv shows. A good software to have.

Also, I notice that microsoft has a new addON that you can install to use with MS Word for screenplay formatting. I think it's a screenplay template but don't quote me. Go to the microsoft website, do a search and download it.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010186361033.aspx

you may have to run an activeX programme though...

There is not a dang thing wrong with Celtx.  Your AV program worried about it because it has to connect with the Internet to create PDF files, and it can log you into the Celtx site automatically if you wish.  

Scriptmaker by Ian Pegler is also a fine program.  it takes some ciphering to figure it out, but it's pretty nice.

I was enquiring as to any other legit "free" software such as Celtx or, as I said "lower cost" alts. My enquiry of Balt was not based on the presumption of pirated software. Thanks for your input Trelan, and yep, there are lots of "add ons" for MS Word and I've got one loaded. It was just after using the Sophocles trial that I realised how much easier it could be - with one-click functions and saving to PDF etc. Anyhoo, will have a search around for older versions of FD - thanks for that tip Phil.

1st of all Sophocles is fair and free game to anyone and everyone... The guy packed up shop, he's a crook and a liar and he robbed a lot of people of the right to convert their scripts before he did so.

Want Sophocles, I can help. you can send anyone to my door in the process. I'll be glad to do the tale of the tape on it.

Anyone who bought sophocles is entitled to the software... It's like a rom. If you have the game, it's not illegal to obtain it. Emulators are not illegal, the roms are. The software is not illegal to pocess. I'll even give you a file of proof of purchase for it too.

To be clear : Many people who used and loved Sophocles, paying people (myself) - got the software. Some of us had to do a system restore and ended up losing all our our material because he failed to do proper business. After many attempts to contact him "some" of us were able to come away with a version and a register pass.

A lot of people lost their work and have no way of getting it back because of the backup format Sophocles uses.

I just wanted to throw that out there, LC.  It wasn't my intention to accuse people of anything.


Phil

I used CELTX for a year, then bought Final Draft, 2 months later I went back to CELTX. It may be free but don't let that deceive you, it is incredibly good and very user friendly. I will never use anything else again. Plus the bonus is that it is free and available on Windows, OSX and Linux. That means if you change platforms in the future or get a second computer with a different OS you can continue to use the same program and files.

You're crazy... If you had Final Draft and went back to Celtix... Well, I guess I'm speechless.  

Use what you want to use, don't let me tell you what to use and don't let me impose my opinion as fact on any of you.  But I messed around with it and thought it was pretty much the most useless application since MSPaint and Windows Movie Maker.

I'll enjoy my "Movie Outline" "Sophocles" & "Final Draft" --

Done completely in MS Paint:



It's not the program. . .it's what you do with it.

Guys really thanks for the feedback ....

1st: I will try Celtix , this is the best solution to me...

2nd: Movie outline isnt free , you can find only the trial version ... right???

3rd: I like the idea of using Sofocles.... i like the name of it ( go greece)

Thanks again , now its google time.

Quoted from steven8 Done completely in MS Paint: It's not the program. . .it's what you do with it.

But that even looks like junk... I can do 3 times that using dogwaffle "freeware" and 100x that using Paint Pro x.

Quoted from Dimitris Guys really thanks for the feedback .... 1st: I will try Celtix , this is the best solution to me... 2nd: Movie outline isnt free , you can find only the trial version ... right??? 3rd: I like the idea of using Sofocles.... i like the name of it ( go greece) Thanks again , now its google time.

1 Celtix isn't the best solution to or for anyone...

2 no, you're right. It isn't free but it's the best software on the block. Movie outline is the most intuitive way to write. And not just screenplays. The character builder is worth the price alone. If you can't afford Movieoutline, god knows the economy isn't allowing it in the states... Go with Sophocles; if you can nab it.  Final Draft if not.


3 Sophocles is the 2nd best software I've ever used. It's fast, clean, Customizable and does everything you need to get your screenplay done right.

Just out of interest, what's your big hassle with celtx?

Quoted from stevie Just out of interest, what's your big hassle with celtx?

Look, maybe Celtix has evolved into something grand since my days with it - I doubt it, but it could have -- but I see nothing, ease of attainability aside, that it offers the writer. It even formats wrongly. It places a "." instead of "-" in your Scene Slugs. That's not right and you all know it.

The Continued at the tops and bottoms of each page, as if the reader is in preschool is also a nice touch. The way your scripts are uploaded to the web... c'mon. Even the lack of feature layout is beyond absurd. you can't even customize the look of how you wish to write it.

I can go on and on...  

I like being able to change the backdrop color of what I write on. I like to be able to tag certain slugs a certain color for ease of use and find.  I like to crank the font up to 25 point when I'm writing to see it better, even on a 24 in monitor.  There is just so much that celtix doesn't do that I am use to and need in my software.

All valid points.

Use it if you want.. I have a solution if you don't.

I think I've used Celtx once and I didn't like it. I forget why.

I've been writing on MSWord for the last few years, and while it takes me much longer to format, I can put things exactly where I want them. I'm a control freak. I can't help it.

Although I did enjoy using Sophocles when I was in high school.

I don't think you need software. A terribly written script that looks amazing is still a terribly written script.

Yep, all good points you make. The latest version has more features available. But i use it the same all the time - i just write and its formatted for me. I don't upload to their project central anymore, as their forums are full of garbage.
for the beginner, and that was me last year, its very helpful. i downloaded a demo of FD at the same time but didn't even use it to write samples; i was happy with celtx.

While i'm here, what's the go with 'Frostbite'?

Baltis, I've known just a few people like you in my life, and this is what you are looking for:  You are right.  A person can not make a quality screenplay unless they are using the products you say are right for the job.  How could they possibly think otherwise.

Also, the person who did that drawing in MS Paint should be ashamed of the crap they are turning out.  You need to send them an illustration you've done in Dogwaffle (great little freeware program, by the way) so they will know just how pathetic their work is.

End of my involvement in this thread.

i don't think Baltis- is that way at all, Steven8. He doesn't like the program, but he's not saying that Sophocles (or FD, etc) are the only ones to use.

Quoted from steven8 Baltis, I've known just a few people like you in my life, and this is what you are looking for:  You are right.  A person can not make a quality screenplay unless they are using the products you say are right for the job.  How could they possibly think otherwise. Also, the person who did that drawing in MS Paint should be ashamed of the crap they are turning out.  You need to send them an illustration you've done in Dogwaffle (great little freeware program, by the way) so they will know just how pathetic their work is. End of my involvement in this thread.

Be snide all you want... If you read, I didn't say my word was god. On the contrary, I told you all to do what you'd like. I gave my two cents, you just wanted to pick those two cents up and run away with it.

I'm very skilled with Paint Pro X  & Dogwaffle... I'm simply stating, I've churned out better looking material than the guy above's rendention of The Mona Lisa on balmy software. Sorry you don't like the thought. I'm not saying I'm right... I'm saying I know what I like. Celtix, and your example of "good" are both not something I like.

Now, back to topic... This is about software, but not paint software. Let's go back to the "REAL" topic at hand.

I have to say this. Baltis- you are hot hot hot!

Moving on... Like I said, the easiest program for me to use has always been MSWord. I use a template for new scripts, and I'm all set. The only downside is the constant tabbing over, but I'm so used to it by now, that it's second nature.

I'm excited to use Sophocles again, but that'll have to wait until morning.

Good night!

MS Word comes free on certain windows machines. I had it for years as well as frontpage and they were great for just about anything one needed as far as websites and scripts go.

Sure Final Draft makes it easier but the downside is when it screws up it renders everything useless as I found out awhile back and lost a lot of stuff because of.

It also has problems when you use a legit copy and pretty much just tells you to pirate a copy that will work.

Am i bad because I took my serial for the legit copy and pirated a response and challenge code so it works full time? I'm pirating my legit copy because Final Draft doesn't let you deactivate and reinstall.

Something to consider here is transferability. I used to write all my scripts in Word and had no problem with that... until I was asked to send a copy of my work to be revised by another writer. Then my script had to be reformatted. I don’t know who did the work but I was a bit embarrassed and I quickly realized the value of widely-used screenwriting software. I purchased Final Draft and began to transfer my most recent feature, for which I had already written a completed rough first draft. It was quite a bit of work.

When you’re in the early stages of developing as a writer, I don’t think software is all that important. It’s more important that you learn how to write a screenplay. But as you progress to the level of actually selling your work, I think you need to consider the importance of using the software that’s the expected norm in the industry you expect to work in. I find Final Draft is always immediately accepted. It’s the highest selling screenplay software and probably the most used in Hollywood (I think, don’t quote me on that.)

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that it isn’t all about the writing itself. You need to have software that allows you to work in the industry, not just write your own scripts at home. Something to consider.


Breanne

Final Draft heh?
What about it ? can i find it free?

One more important thing for me is that i need to write in greek!
Once i use a trial program that allow me to write only in english.... I dont remember which one!

Quoted from Baltis. Look, maybe Celtix has evolved into something grand since my days with it - I doubt it, but it could have -- but I see nothing, ease of attainability aside, that it offers the writer. It even formats wrongly. It places a "." instead of "-" in your Scene Slugs. That's not right and you all know it. The Continued at the tops and bottoms of each page, as if the reader is in preschool is also a nice touch. The way your scripts are uploaded to the web... c'mon. Even the lack of feature layout is beyond absurd. you can't even customize the look of how you wish to write it. I can go on and on...   I like being able to change the backdrop color of what I write on. I like to be able to tag certain slugs a certain color for ease of use and find.  I like to crank the font up to 25 point when I'm writing to see it better, even on a 24 in monitor.  There is just so much that celtix doesn't do that I am use to and need in my software. All valid points. Use it if you want.. I have a solution if you don't.

You can press a button to remove the 'Continue' word from your script.  

Not sure what this slug problem is.  You can customise the slugs to appear as how you want them to appear.  Although I've never done that.

I tried to move my Sophocles program to my laptop and couldn't.  Tried to contact the guy and couldn't.  It's a good program but I prefer Celtx.

Quoted from jayrex You can press a button to remove the 'Continue' word from your script.   Not sure what this slug problem is.  You can customise the slugs to appear as how you want them to appear.  Although I've never done that. I tried to move my Sophocles program to my laptop and couldn't.  Tried to contact the guy and couldn't.  It's a good program but I prefer Celtx.

You ahve to do everything yourself on Celtix. It's a pain in the ass and not even user customizable. I've just redownloaded it today and confirmed my assumptions were true. All of them.

Celtix blows goat nips. Sure it's free... Awesome, but please... STD's are often free too.  You don't see me standing in line to get one.

And Sophocles can be had. It's a brilliant program and still viable to many people now... Just cos the idiot who created it wanted to snowball everyone and run off, doesn't mean jack. It's his fault many lost their work and I'll be glad to help those who did get it back.

I might be the only guy who doesn't care for Celtx, but anyway I use Scripped, it's an online program and it's very effective

Quoted from jayrex You can press a button to remove the 'Continue' word from your script.

if i may ask how do you do that?

Quoted from Baltis. And Sophocles can be had. It's a brilliant program and still viable to many people now... Just cos the idiot who created it wanted to snowball everyone and run off, doesn't mean jack. It's his fault many lost their work and I'll be glad to help those who did get it back.

If you know how I can get my Sophocles program from my XP pc to my Vista laptop then I'm all ears.

Quoted from slabstaa if i may ask how do you do that?

Press 'TypeSet' then 'Format Options'.

You can remove the continues in here.