I am a poor 18 year old without a job and a passion to write...is it really needed to have a program to write scripts, or can I do with just with the normal stuff, if I put everything in the right place?

You absolutely, positively do not need it.  It's nice, sure, but it's a luxury.

Without it, you just need to invest a little extra time (and research) to make sure things look right.

thanx a lot man, makes me able to sleep easy and work harder.

Here's a free MSWord Add-on that will format scipts, which might be of use to you... I've never used it myself so can't testify to what it's like.

Assuming a poor 18-year-old has Word! Script Smart is PC only so I haven't tried it either but there are a few templates around which use Styles, it's easy enough to set these yourself using Help.

TC, what are you using at the moment? I think you can write with any word processor (easier than a typewriter) as the software really only comes into play when you need to output it. Second-hand copies of Final Draft 5 or 6 go on eBay for the cost of a few CDs.

If you have even a simple word processor:

 Set Font to Courier 12-point.
 Document margins 1" all round but 1.5" left (for the hole punch).
 Set TAB to half inch.

 CAPS LOCK: type scene heading.

   Return-return

 Type action lines.

   Return-return

 TAB-TAB-TAB-TAB, CAPS LOCK: type character name.

   Return

 TAB-TAB-TAB type (wryly)

   Return

 TAB-TAB type dialogue.

 Repeat to FADE OUT.

You'll be done in no time. The late Paul Getty III (American Anglophile billionaire philanthropist) told of a young writer who wrote a begging letter pleading the necessity of a computer/printer to write with. He sent her a pencil and a note that if she had talent, that's all she needed.

Quoted from NW3 Assuming a poor 18-year-old has Word!

Hence my use of the word 'might.'

There are, of course, 'other' ways to get hold of programs such as Final Draft and Movie Magic - they are out there in the usual places where you get 'free stuff'... I leave it to your own conscience as to whether or not you wish to go down that route!

By which I don't mean the format, but the software.  Even once I figured out the format, it's still a pain to do manually in Word.  I won't spend money on software, and I can't find good freeware.  The best I've found is something called scriptBuddy, which is completely online and so is not only a pain but cannot be moved to an RTF or similar file (it's only good for printing).

Does anyone have suggestions for freeware I can use, or failing that, a way to do screenplays in Word without going insane?

Write it in Word in a rough, easy format. Then, once you've finished, go through the entire script formatting and editing as you go. You'll have to go through it with a fine-tooth comb anyway so leave the formatting until then.

Find somebody to give you a program that has been cracked already... I know it's wrong in some people's mind but we call those people the Government and since they've been screwing us in the anal region for many years it's about time we take a couple shots at theirs... Don't you think?

Anyway yeah, ask around you might find some people who are nice enough to share it.

I'm going to play Devil's advocate here, Wes.  You mention getting back at the government for screwing us, but aren't you screwing the software companies by pirating their software?


Phil

Personally, I've always done my scripts in Word. After awhile of doing this (and of course, setting the tabs appropriately), the fingers tend to do the walking and you just know when to hit enter while doing the dialogue...

Unlike a lot of people I've decided not to be taken advantage of by useless rich people who jack up prices especially when you live outside the U.S. we’re all puppets with a hand or two up our asses, I’m sorry I can’t pay 200 bucks for writing software but I have better things to do with my money.

I used to know a lot of Jay's but I doubt we know the same people, the distance between us is too great to actually know the same people but you never know.

Wow, I just found this great website:

http://www.online-communicator.com/spmacros.html

Which explained how to format a regular word processor for screenwriting.  The biggest part of the help was when I discovered Macros, which are great.  I now have no problem using Word.  Thanks for all you suggestions anyway, everyone.

Although progams like final draft and movie magic screenwriter, always helps save time with formatting, and I think, at least, worth investing in.

The other good thing about Final Draft and Movie Magic (which I haven't used) is that when the script is optioned, often times (moreso with independant producers), they may ask for the Final Draft file or Movie Magic file to be sent to them.

They both can be used to break down the budget, which is very handy for indie producers.

I love Final Draft. Though it was an expensive buy, it's well worth it.