I'm sure I've seen this topic somewhere before but I couldn't find it.

I'm co-writing something with a chap who's at the other end of the country.  We're struggling to find a software programme that actually works online.  There's Celtx which is free but the scripts are only sendable to each other in PDF form and unless you have Adobe Writer, you can't alter PDFs.

The only way we've managed - but not well enough - is to transpose the scripts in to Word but all the formatting goes to pot then.  I have Final Draft 6 but he doesn't!

Anyone help?  

You can do this with Final Draft.  It actually has a collaboration feature in it.


Phil

I've never tried sending a Trelby file to someone else.

But I'd say that may be your best option.  Try downloading Trelby and sharing those files.  It'll at least keep your formatting in line.  Also, I believe Trelby works well with Final Draft, so you might be able to just transfer his Trelby files directly into your Final Draft.

Hope it pans out for you.

- Mark

If both use Dropbox you can save the Celtex files in a designated folder, where you can each open open and edit a working copy of the script. This should work for any other software also.

Final Draft Collabowritr is the worst piece of crap. I literally have to try to initiate a connection 20 times before it works. And then there's the other headache of getting someone to join that session. I usually have to mess with my router every time I want to connect.

I have used FD ...because it's easy to just email back and forth and both can actually work on the script. I have not ever tried the collaborater thing on my FD though.

How about ADOBE STORY?

Adobe Story software lets you outline your ideas, write scripts quickly with automatic formatting, and collaborate online. Plan and schedule fast-paced video projects, organize production with reports, and leverage script metadata in post-production.

Check it out @

http://www.adobe.com/products/story-family.html?kw=p&sdid=JRSJC&skwcid=TC|22175|adobe%20story||S|b|15043466122&ef_id=URBKAwAAA9ozc6O-:20130204235339:s

Shawn.....><

Movie Magic has the capabilities, although I've never used them.

How familiar are you with this partner?  I worked with someone on a script before; I wouldn't recommend it.


Phil

I've worked on scripts with three people...Kevin first was super wonderful to cowrite with. Brett is excellent to cowrite with. But the other guy was not a good story. Horror story actually. But just make sure you know who you are working with.

Quoted from Pale Yellow I have used FD ...because it's easy to just email back and forth and both can actually work on the script. I have not ever tried the collaborater thing on my FD though.

That's what I've done on the numerous times I've collaborated on a script. Just keep on sending it back-and-forth, with each person adding things they like, and taking out what they do not.

Worked fine for me

Thanks all, some great advice there.  I know this chap well enough to trust him.  He's an ex cop anyway so I've not much choice haha!

I'll check out the tips and get back to you, thanks again guys, really appreciate it

Opting for Dropbox, thanks for the reminder!

Beware ex-cops. Seriously.

G'day Dena,

Dan and I collaborated and I used FD and he used a different package. He emailed me a draft PDF, I commented and he did the changes then emailed the revised PDF of those scenes.

I then cut and paste it into FD and changed the formatting.

It Was a bit difficult though did work a treat and allowed us to write in different programs, while I kept the main file of the script.

Without both of you outlaying for the same package, give it a go.

Alex

A couple months back, a friend of mine on another forum, we both decided we'd co-write a remake of the 80's slasher "The House on Sorority Row."

We both had Final Draft, and we just e-mailed back and forth, that was the easiest way for us.

However, it remains at 60 pages, currently unfinished. My friend suffered a family death, and when he returned to writing, he was interested in other stuff, and we keep saying we're going to return back to co-writing it.

But yes, e-mails.  My point was e-mailing back and forth was easy and we never came into problems.

-- Curt

Celtx is shite!

We used Dropbox and all seemed okay until I've just opened the Celtx document my colleague sent me.  It's in gobbledygook aka some sort of bloody code.  Any ideas folks?

BTW I'm an ex-cop so I don't know what those of you who say beware ex cops are worrying about

Quoted from AmbitionIsKey A couple months back, a friend of mine on another forum, we both decided we'd co-write a remake of the 80's slasher "The House on Sorority Row." We both had Final Draft, and we just e-mailed back and forth, that was the easiest way for us. But yes, e-mails.  My point was e-mailing back and forth was easy and we never came into problems. -- Curt

Hey Curt,

Was this more of a collaborative exercise than a spec?
I assume so since you chose something you likely don't own the right to.

That and the movie was actually remade in 2009 by the original creators.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232783/

I can see it being a good way to learn to rework content.

Regards,
E.D.

If it's just an excercise, Curt, then finish it on your own.


Phil

We finally got there using Dropbox and Celtx.  At first though, celtx wouldn't work correctly in Dropbox, but it does now and it's working nice n smoothly now.

By the way, I'm not an ex copper

If you have a legitimately great idea for an existing franchise, it will be an uphill battle, but not an impossible one. I've seen it happen.

Wreck-it Ralph was conceived and started before they had the rights to those video game characters. The movie wouldn't work without them.

Spotted this online recently - may be useful:

https://readthrough.com/writerduet#home

Just to chime in, you can send the Celtx file directly to one another via email.

I did that myself, emailed my own script from netbook to pc.