i wanna know which software you use. i'm using celtx. but i tried the demos of MMS and final draft and i think celtx is a good option if you dont wanna pay 200 bucks.

I purchased an older version of Final Draft from eBay.  I forgot how much I saved, but it was considerable.  I'm currently considering getting an upgrade since I lost my FD disk.


Phil

I use underwear, but just on Sundays morning when I go to the church.

Firts I use my fingers, so my fingers hit the kyeboard that send informations to my computer which, finally, uses a template for Word Doc. named ScriptMaker that transformes my ideas into a screenplay standard format.

By the way, I hate people long-winded!

I simply use final draft

Michel

Final Draft. Got it for free.

I don't use any. Just Microsoft Word for me. I've never really had any use for screenwriting software. I'n not sure if that's a bad thing.

For the longest time I used a burnt copy of Final Draft, but finally woke up and realized I should pay for it. It took programmers years to make it. So now I use the most recent version of Final Draft 7.0. It has a few extra bells and whistles, but it's relatively the same.

Remember the software is only a tool, like a paint brush. You still have to know how to use the paintbrush to make great art.

Luke Bradshaw

Does anyone know a place where I can get some free software over the internet? I have Microsoft Word, but I just want to see how much better it makes for the writing experience.

Keep in mind, Bojangles, that the best software package in the world will not make you a better or worse writer.  It'll only make you faster.


Phil

Then I will probably just stick with Word. Hehe.

I used to use RoughDraft for the longest time, and I was really happy with it.  One day I decided to try CELTX, and I find it just as easy to use, with a few more features that RoughDraft either didn't have, or I never figured out how to utilize such as auto suggesting of character names when the first letter is typed.

Apparently, RD allows you to go a little bit further to the right than you should on dialogue as well, since Pia was constantly calling me out on it.

The one downside to CELTX is importing an existing script from Word.  You have to convert it to a plain text file, and then import, but the format is completely off and you have to manually adjust everything back to where it should be.  The hot keys make this more tolerable, but you're still looking at a couple more hours invested in a feature length screenplay.

I do like the automatic pdf generation option though, which is useable once you sign up for an account (quite painlessly).

From what I've read about FD, this seems to have a lot of similar features, but anyone who has used both can confirm this better than I.

Movie Magic Screenwriter is the way to go. Costs a bomb but is worth it in the long run.

Hey, Bojangles, if is too dificult for you to buy or get a screenwriting program, take George Wilson as an good example. He writes in Word. He formats very well his scripts into standard requirement.

He is my contribuition just in case you haven't right now any money to buy a good program:

http://www.bucks.edu/~baruffia/comv130/scriptformats.htm

http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/artweb/playwriting/screenformat.html

I hope to have helped you, dude!

Thanks a lot Helio. It really is a significant difference from what I was doing before.

Welcome!

After to write one page, how about to ask George Wilson to say something whether it is okay formated, huh?

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

When I had FD5, I couldn't convert to .pdf and had to convert to rtf.  This caused occasional problems with margins.  With FD7, I convert it to .pdf and it posts exactly as it would if I posted as an fdr file.  Converting to an rtf file also changes your page count a little.


Phil

Final Draft 6 & 7 work well with PDF as long as you remove the ( Mores and Continueds) feature. The (More) in particular acts erratic when converting to PDF and ends up on a character name or within a scene heading. Uncheck it and you'll be fine.

Quoted from dogglebe When I had FD5, I couldn't convert to .pdf and had to convert to rtf.  This caused occasional problems with margins.  With FD7, I convert it to .pdf and it posts exactly as it would if I posted as an fdr file.  Converting to an rtf file also changes your page count a little. Phil

When i convert fdr in final to pdf, its makes the fiels super huge in size, like 4megs instead of 456kb.... Is this a glich?

That sounds like a glitch.


Phil

This is from Final Draft website:

Question:    

When I save as a PDF, the PDF is huge -- 5-7 MB.    
  
Answer:  
  
Applies to: Final Draft 7

This issue was resolved with Version 7.1.

10-30-06 -- Version 7.1 has been superseded by Version 7.1.3 but there's no need to install any previous version of Final Draft prior to installing 7.1.3.  Uninstall your current version of Final Draft 7 and run the full 7.1.3 installer.  The step-by-step uninstall instructions are HERE and the 7.1.3 installer is HERE.

Version 7.1.3 requires Windows 2000 or Windows XP.  

JD, if this applies to you, go to Final Draft website (support) and find the 7.1.3 installer.

Quoted from Ayham This is from Final Draft website: Question:     When I save as a PDF, the PDF is huge -- 5-7 MB.        Answer:      Applies to: Final Draft 7 This issue was resolved with Version 7.1. 10-30-06 -- Version 7.1 has been superseded by Version 7.1.3 but there's no need to install any previous version of Final Draft prior to installing 7.1.3.  Uninstall your current version of Final Draft 7 and run the full 7.1.3 installer.  The step-by-step uninstall instructions are HERE and the 7.1.3 installer is HERE. Version 7.1.3 requires Windows 2000 or Windows XP.   JD, if this applies to you, go to Final Draft website (support) and find the 7.1.3 installer.

Thanks man!

It irritates me that some of these programs cost more than 200 dollars. I don't have that kind of money to spend. Does anyone know where I can download free screenwriting software that is actually reasonable?

You can go on ebay and buy older versions of the software.  I did that with FD v5 and saved a good bit of money.  If you're a student, you can get a discount.


Phil

Really? I'll look into that, Phil!

Is Final Draft a decent screenwriting program?

Final Draft is the best. People like J.J. Abrams swear by it. It has absolutely everything you could need, plus a whole heap more. I've been using it for a while now and I still haven't figured everything out.

It's expensive, but worth it in the end. If you're looking for a decent one for free then try Celtx, it's not as good but it's got pretty much everything you need for no money at all. But if I were you, I would go with FD. It's the bomb.


Cheers, Chismeister.

Quoted from Child In The Box Really? I'll look into that, Phil! Is Final Draft a decent screenwriting program?

Final Draft is decent once you get it under control and understand how it works. Is it the best software? I don't know. But I heard that most major production companies in Hollywood prefer it.
Try ebay or craig list to find it at a cheaper price. But make sure you buy an advanced version, like 6 or 7.

I use Final Draft and I probably always will. I have toyed around with a couple of the other major players, but they've never really caught my interest like FD has.

I use Movie Magic Screenwriting. A great software that makes writing screenplays so easy.

Celtx. Free and easy.

I reiterate... Sophocles!
This is the easiest software I've used, especially the new 2007 beta...

It outputs PDF's correctly, but I'll be darn if Adobe doesn't screw everything up by defaulting to shrink on the page scaling instead of none.  That's messed me up so many times!

I just got Celtx. Is it any good?

FInal Draft  - Latest Version -

my dad bought it for me too few years back.

Was the best present I could ever recieve at 16 years old.

I have Celtx on my internet computer

Final Draft on the computer in my bedroom (no internet access)

Both on my laptop

Seriously guys,
Most of you should know how to download a program and crack its code.

Here is a link below to final draft 7.0
It's a freedownload with the crack.

For those who are interested!

http://www.torrentspy.com/torrent/1043357/Final_Draft_7_crack

I'm all for free, but what if we believe in copyrights?

Its your choice.
Personally, I bought my copy but my daughter downloaded this.

It's an alternative and it is freely available.

What if someone treated one of your scripts like it was free for anyone?

celtx is pretty good.  It gives you the chance to place all your character info and what nots on there.
Final draft is just a writers program. It offers many more formatting options.

Pia,
I'm sorry I hit a raw nerve.
The net offers many things.  Its your choice if you use it or not.
This is not a personal attack on your morals or preferences

celtx does everything that is needed to write a properly formatted screenplay and save it as a PDF file and it is 100% free with no hidden costs or anything

what more do you want?

Yeah, I'll stick with Celtx. Does Celtx ever get any updates or anything?

now and again.  Basically you just have to keep checking the website.

Elis,

I wasn't necesarrily questioning you, but rather throwing out some questions.

There seem to be some people who are afraid that people will steal their ideas, but at the same time some people don't hesitate to use "illegal" copies of programs. I think that's hypochritical.

George Willson is about as a prolific writer as anyone can be and he usually uses MS Word. I used  to too until I purchased FD. When I used Word, no one ever complained about format.  By that I mean that you don't "need" a special program to write. Those programs just make it faster. Personally I rather be slow, but honest...

I guess what I'm saying is, if you want people to respect copyrights regarding your scripts, maybe you need to respect copyrights regarding intelletual property yourself. That was all.

PS. Anyone that is waiting for me to post a review or a resonce to a review, I will get cracking tomorrow. Had a bad day today and you wouldn't want my review written today anyway. Trust me...

Pia  

Quoted from tomson Elis, I guess what I'm saying is, if you want people to respect copyrights regarding your scripts, maybe you need to respect copyrights regarding intelletual property yourself. That was all. Pia

Point taken, and I respect that.
It was a word of advice for those who are in need and cannot afford.
As I said my daughter downloaded it at uni.  It seems the thing to do there.  Doesn't mean I agree with it.

I do agree with you about copyrights.

Quoted from tomson There seem to be some people who are afraid that people will steal their ideas, but at the same time some people don't hesitate to use "illegal" copies of programs. I think that's hypochritical.

Now that was a powerful comment.

Ya know, ironically it was our old pal Kevan R. Craft that sent me this crack a little over a year ago but I couldn't figure out how to install it, so I got frustrated and gave up and I've been doing MS Word ever since.  

When I finish a script, I send the Word file to a special associate of mine and he runs it through Final Draft to move the dialogue over half a MM(actually I've only done this once) and convert it to a PDF.  

While I don't encourage people to directly convert Word documents to PDF after some horrors that I've had, I think that, as a screenwriter, you should know how to format in a regular typing program. Aside from that final conversion step, I do everything in Word.  If I can do it, anyone can!

Just sayin'.  Pia's comment was indeed intriguing.

Quoted from greg While I don't encourage people to directly convert Word documents to PDF after some horrors that I've had

Horrors? Enlighten me, please.

Quoted from James McClung Horrors? Enlighten me, please.

Well, upon completing a recent draft of a script in MS Word, I went back to fix the spacing(like when you add/take stuff out and the spacing between things gets screwy).  Upon completing the space edit, the Word document seemed to be accurately formatted so I converted it to a PDF.

When I looked at the PDF, the first 60 pages or so were fine, but then all of a sudden you would see the names of characters on the bottom of the page and their first line of dialogue on the top of the next; no spacing between descriptions and dialogue, huge spacing between scenes, etc.  Then I looked back at the Word document and it still looked fine!  Something had gone wrong during the conversion.

I think I know what happened.  It's hard to explain, but I'll try.  I went back to page 60 and found that there was sort of an "invisible" space between a character's dialogue and the top of the page.  Basically to fix this problem, I had to mess up the Word format, convert it back to PDF, and then it appeared okay.

Well, that's all fine for the moment, but then I decided I wanted to fix some other things.  Well, same thing happened again, only this time it was basically the whole script that wouldn't convert properly.  So, I got unbelievably pissed off, sent it to a family member, they ran the Word document through FD and converted it to the PDF I wanted within 4 minutes.

I don't know what went wrong and I don't really care anymore.  I write my crap in Word, then ask the family member to do the PDF conversion for me.  Hopefully you have better luck.

Quoted from greg Well, upon completing a recent draft of a script in MS Word, I went back to fix the spacing(like when you add/take stuff out and the spacing between things gets screwy).  Upon completing the space edit, the Word document seemed to be accurately formatted so I converted it to a PDF. When I looked at the PDF, the first 60 pages or so were fine, but then all of a sudden you would see the names of characters on the bottom of the page and their first line of dialogue on the top of the next; no spacing between descriptions and dialogue, huge spacing between scenes, etc.  Then I looked back at the Word document and it still looked fine!  Something had gone wrong during the conversion. I think I know what happened.  It's hard to explain, but I'll try.  I went back to page 60 and found that there was sort of an "invisible" space between a character's dialogue and the top of the page.  Basically to fix this problem, I had to mess up the Word format, convert it back to PDF, and then it appeared okay. Well, that's all fine for the moment, but then I decided I wanted to fix some other things.  Well, same thing happened again, only this time it was basically the whole script that wouldn't convert properly.  So, I got unbelievably pissed off, sent it to a family member, they ran the Word document through FD and converted it to the PDF I wanted within 4 minutes. I don't know what went wrong and I don't really care anymore.  I write my crap in Word, then ask the family member to do the PDF conversion for me.  Hopefully you have better luck.

That's never happened to me before. Maybe you've got a different version of Word than I do. All my conversions have looked fine as far as I can tell. If that ever happens to me, though, I'll be sure to have a backup plan of some sort. Submitting Word documents isn't exactly the best idea. Thanks for letting me know.

Quoted from James McClung Maybe you've got a different version of Word than I do.

I do.  It's called the Microsoft Word Really Stupid Edition  >

Quoted Text Thanks for letting me know.

You are very welcome, sir.

greg, I actually did not have a particular person in mind. It just occured to me that some people here were afraid to even mention ideas because they might get stolen and then there was advice on how to ilegally download programs.  I thought that seemed hypocritical. Not jumping on anyone in particular.

I personally believe creative people should be compensated for their work. They create stuff out of nothing. That's impressive to me.

Oh I know.  If my posts came off as otherwise then that wasn't my intention and I apologize.  I thought you brought up a great point and then I intensively tangent-ed off into my little story there  

I tried Movie Magic as a demo when I first started and have never strayed.  Word, to me, is a true pain in the tookus.  I don't have MM6, but can't wait to try it.  I recommend it.