Haven't been active here in a long time. Had done some writing which a member here had read the entire script. Suggested some changes, but I haven't gotten around to doing more drafts. Bad me I know. Other things have gotten in my way unfortunately. And when I do try to write, I'm so tired, I cannot think straight, so I put things away.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get myself back in the swing of things. My post today is about software. Not writing software. I use Movie Magic Screenwriter. I have questions about a few other programs, wondering if any of you use them and your opinions.

1) Dramatica Pro... I have Dramatica Pro but never used it before.
2) Persona.. I downloaded a free trial, and again, because my time was full, I didn't get to try the software out before the free trial ended.
3) Save the Cat... I keep getting emails about Save the Cat software, and read some good reviews.

I'm not sure if these programs really are worth it or not. I'm hoping to get more free time in May to get back to my writing. So if any of you use or have used these programs, I'd love to know if they are useful and worth it. Any and all information or suggestions would be welcome.

One last thing: how many of you writers also produce/film your own movies (whether feature, short, or web series)? If any of you do, what software do you use to edit your movies? I have a PC, not an Apple/Mac so I guess Final Cut is out for me. Any PC users out there have any movie editing software recommendations?

When I directed a music video for some friends, I used Adobe Premiere Pro. Absolutely brilliant editing software, but comes with a rather pricey label. Don't know much about the ones that you mentioned above, so I can't help you there.

I hear Sony Vegas is a good software as well, but it comes with a price, as well.

Dan

Quoted from danbotha When I directed a music video for some friends, I used Adobe Premiere Pro. Absolutely brilliant editing software, but comes with a rather pricey label. Don't know much about the ones that you mentioned above, so I can't help you there. I hear Sony Vegas is a good software as well, but it comes with a price, as well. Dan

Checked up on the two programs you mentioned and OUCH, yes, very expensive. But I guess that is par for the course.

Sorta hung up the filmmaking towel myself but still got a lot of buddies in the DC scene. A lot of them use Premiere, which has been getting increasingly more buzz over the years. I think that'd be your best bet if you're serious about making your own films.

You're at a disadvantage if you use Vegas over Premiere IMO. Also, all of Adobe's programs have similar tools and such so you'd be putting yourself at an even bigger advantage if you're thinking of trying Adobe's other products.

I wouldn't use Dramatic, Persona, or Save The Cat - these are all story structure/character development software and I think they have limited use - it's often better to read things like that in a book.

I like a lot of what the guy behind 'Plot Control' says http://www.reelwriting.com/products-2/ but again, the software can be quite cumbersome to use, and I think it gets in the way of free writing.

As for editing, I think Cyberlink Power Director's very good: http://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-ultra/features_en_US.html

Quoted from dxer07002 1) Dramatica Pro... I have Dramatica Pro but never used it before. 2) Persona.. I downloaded a free trial, and again, because my time was full, I didn't get to try the software out before the free trial ended. 3) Save the Cat... I keep getting emails about Save the Cat software, and read some good reviews.

I have all those softwares and I have tried to use them, but don't use any of them. If I had to pick one, it would probably be STC. It's a lot simpler than the others.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I have all those softwares and I have tried to use them, but don't use any of them. If I had to pick one, it would probably be STC. It's a lot simpler than the others.

Did you find the programs not to be user friendly? Did they distract from your writing?

I want to thank everyone for their opinions. Very much appreciated. If you guys/gals do not use software to help you develop your characters' back stories, what do you use?

I have Plot Control and trying to use if for one story I am scripting at the moment.  Not sure how it will turn out.  But if you think about it ...

Some of the best writing comes from writers that REALLY KNOW their characters.  In TV, for example, take the show Monk (my daughter made me watch it a couple of years ago - love it).  You can tell the creator and writers know Monk.  They put in little things that that he does that make him unique.  Same with Breaking Bad.  Vince Gilligan got "into the head" of Walt and Jesse, and even Walt's family.  He "knows" them well.  This allows him to write the scenes and dialog that sound genuine to each character.

Do I do this very well, no.  Am I trying to do this, yes.  Will software help, maybe.  I can tell you that "knowing" your characters will help.  Sometimes this is just sitting and thinking about them, what they want, who they are, etc.  Any unique characteristics about them (voice, dialect, age, etc.), so when they interact with others, this will come out in the writing.

Ultimately, all the software, books, seminars, etc. are there to make those people money.  If they really just want to help, they would give that "knowledge" away for free.

That's my 2.7 cents.