I use Sophocles 2003... it was the first piece of screenwriting software I learned, and even though my director at the time gave me FD, I still prefer Sophocles. It's so simplistic, plus I can get useless statistics on my script at the touch of a button.

Ah, we've come again to asking people what software they use. Here's my little soapbox on software...

I primarily use MS Word for writing because it's universally available. I do a lot of writing at work and obviously, I can't be installing programs from a specialty that has nothing to do with this business, meaning installing FD is right out. I do have Final Draft at home, but I very rarely use it.

I have been using Word to write scripts for so long that I set my tabs and I can eyeball the width of dialogue and I automatically hit enter-tab and it actually goes very quickly for me. It actually takes me more time to do something in Final Draft than it does in Word.

In Word I use no templates or anything. I set my tabs and do everything manually. I'm used to it, and actually prefer it that way. Screenwriting software does not teach you how to do anything other than sluglines, dialogue, and character headings. So if you want montages, flashbacks, intercuts or any other allowable spec convention, you still have to learn it.

However, I do enjoy a lot of the tools FD has, which is why I even mess with it. Good stuff in there with the reports and tagging and such.

I use Celtx. Absolutely free and has everything I need. It also exports well to things like HTML, txt and PDF.

I was given the latest Final Draft software so that I would have a hobby.  I haven't tried the others, but I enjoy all the features of my software.  Even if I don't know how to use 75% of them yet.  

If anyone knows anything about LaTeX they might like to check out...

http://tug.ctan.org/tex-archive/macros/latex/contrib/screenplay/

LaTeX is more of Linux/UNIX thing, I guess, but there is a Windows installation available called MiKTeX.

I use MS Word... its just easier, and as George says its universal, and once you get your tabs down... its a sinch. Screenwriting software is expensive and i am a cheap skate. and like Dogglebe says, the most expensive screenwriting software on the planet won't make you a better writer.

that comes with practice.

I've used Final draft since I started writing screenplays in 2001, but after trying a free trial of Sophocles I found like it a lot.  I plan on writing my next screenplay with "Sophocles."

I use MS Word and then i usually send my script over to chism so he can convert it to pdf with his script program, PDF just looks better...

why not go to http://www.pdfonline.com  ?

Probably because I had not heard of such a site til now, Cheers! That'll save time.

For producing PDFs from Word files, you could download and install OpenOffice...

        http://www.openoffice.org

...it's a free full-featured office suite that can import Word documents and export them as PDF.  You could even use it instead of Word as your word processor but that isn't necessary to get the PDFs.  OpenOffice can save documents in Word format too.

You can get screenplay macros for OpenOffice if you look on the Net.

I only use it for reading Word documents people send me (I don't bother with word processors) but I think it'll be worth your time to take a look at it if you haven't checked it out recently.  The version I have is 2.0.4. which is the latest and greatest AFAIK.

Just to confuse the Hell out of everybody..

I use these software packages..

Movie Magic Screenwriter v4.5 (main screenplay writring package)

Final Draft 7.01

StoryView 2 (for outlines)

StoryCraft Pro v4.3 (complete logline, outline and screenplay package in one)

Writers Software Companion (reference)

Dramatica Pro (Story weaving)

Microsoft Word (mainly for converting Doc files to RTF)

You can't beat Movie Magic but you'll never know until you try and use it then you'll know what I mean..

I use the ol' Sophocles!
Great software and fantastic service from Tim Sheehan!

Quoted from Just_Initials I use the ol' Sophocles! Great software and fantastic service from Tim Sheehan!

Ditto here. I started with Sophocles back in 2000 because it was cheaper than all the others and was a small download (I was on dial-up at the time). I fell in love with it right away. I tried Movie Magic Screenwriter and Final Draft but quickly went back to Sophocles. The new Sophocles 2007 PM Beta is even better.

For those looking for a free solution Celtx will work well. I test drive each new version but it never stays on my computer. I just don't find it as intuitive for my needs as Sophocles.

i have another question for all the vets, or anyone who can answer this question. What screenplay software is best to post in? PDF, MS Word??? Fill me in, thanks!

-Jamie