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Hi I'm just wondering if anyone's used the Plot Control software? Is it worth it (it looks pretty basic)? Do you recommend it, or recommend against it?
I use Blake Snyder's "Exploding Kitty Head" software to keep my scripts in-line. Once I go past the 12 page limit without an insighting incident, a cute little kitten pops up on my screen and goes "meow meow". By page 14 it gets desperate, as if trapped in a running microwave. "MEOW MOEW!"
Make it to page sixteen without an incident, poor little guy's head blows clean off. All over your computer monitor...
Then, You truly did not "Save The Cat"...
Every writer is different. I could sit and watch an entire montage of just written dialogue by QT. No structure whatever. And it would still kick the arses out of 90 percent of the movies out there now.
The old school books say that every scene must have a purpose. I agree, to entertain. If all your scenes are entertaining and move the story along... That's it. No exploding Kittey Cats needed...
I have Movie Outline, and have found it kind of buggy and slow, especially as your script gets longer. As far as the special features, I don't have the patience to try to figure out the mechanics of the software. I fooled around a little with it at first, but it's very tedious, and like I said, slow and buggy.
I'm not sure how or why, but the spell check feature really sucks. The vocabulary is off. There are quite a few words that it shows misspelled that are not. I don't know if it has its own spell dictionary, or it utilizes one on my computer, but it doesn't work well.
If I had to do it over, I would buy Final Draft, though I have not used it. It seems to be an industry standard.
I've never had any problems with movie outline... It's the only software I reccomend other than Sophocles. The character generator is worth it's salt alone in movie outline.
Oy, so many to choose from! And the more I see of all these others, the more I realize how completely basic my piddly Celtx is Which makes me wonder whether I'd actually use the extras, or if I'm better off just buying a really nice corkboard...
To be honest, yes... If you have the focus - go with a cork board and index cards for your plot progression. No better way to do it. But to really get into your characters, the strength of each broken down into % to see just how strong your scenes are -- only sophocles or movie outline can give you an indepth look at each field.
I do all this on a series of word notes. No need for cork boards or character generators. Not knocking those methods, though. But software can't create a story. The character generator on outline is just a listing of questions and information. I used it once then didn't bother. It was easier to just put it in my word notes. Eventually, the character's fully in your head and the notes aren't needed anyway, though it helps to keep a conversation going with yourself on general plot and character development, and it pays to keep notes on that.
I'm talking about dyad's of your actual conversations within script... If mine drop below 60% I rewrite it. Plug even my weak ass OWC scripts into Sophocles and you'll see every character with 80 to 100% in interaction strength and another 80 to 100% in relevance to plot strength.
Now, sure, this can be done without Sophocles and Movie outline -- but I don't, personally, know how.
To be honest, yes... If you have the focus - go with a cork board and index cards for your plot progression. No better way to do it. But to really get into your characters, the strength of each broken down into % to see just how strong your scenes are -- only sophocles or movie outline can give you an indepth look at each field.
Final Draft 8 is weak by comparison...
Balt, you have a beautiful daughter!!! Tops over any stupid soft wear!!!
Oy, so many to choose from! And the more I see of all these others, the more I realize how completely basic my piddly Celtx is Which makes me wonder whether I'd actually use the extras, or if I'm better off just buying a really nice corkboard...
:p
I always use a corkboard and index cards to map out a feature story. Then Final Draft 8's software tracks the percentages via the Reports function. Perhaps there is other software that does something similar. But this combo has suited me fine to date.
Regards, E.D.
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