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?

Thanks!

Movie outline offers up something similar, while also  being the best screenwritting software, only one that I know can use Dragon, on the market.  

Check it out -  it's the all in one software.  Has everything built right into it and laid out in boxee box style menues after the last update.  

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...

James

Thanks guys:) I was thinking about Movie Outline - might have to give it a go.

Cheers!!

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.

Hmm, only $50 difference, would probably be worth it.

Guess I'll have to think about all my options:)

Thx!

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...

:p

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...

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.

Quoted from Baltis. 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!!!  :)

Sandra

Well thank ya!  She just got her haircut yesterday... Sweet as can be.  She was a big girl about it.

Quoted from rdhay 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.

I imagine it would help to have something tangible to work with, to get away from the computer and let the creativity take over a bit.

Guess I'll be heading to Officeworks this week... :p

If I'm understanding the question correctly, my personal favourite is dramatica pro.

It has an EXTREMELY high learning curve though. It's probably easier writing scripts than it is working out dramatica, but I find it a useful tool.

It's very good for analysing your stories.

You basically have a thing called Story Form, where you input info. about your main character..whether they are steadfast or change, what their central issue is, whether they are a doer or a thinker......in the end it creates a story outline for you.

It's not a script writing software, it's just for structure but I find it useful..and of course you are under no obligation to follow it.

It's based on the dramatica theory which is similar to most templates, but has an extra layer which is the spiritual (the designers said they found that most successful films also spoke to people's spiritual side...and that's missing in most paradigms).

The idea is essentially that all stories are arguments.

The premise is essentially the theme, or central question : EG unconditional sacrifice leads to freedom.

All the characters should represent some aspect of that question (the antagonist will probably argue the opposite etc) and the outcome of the film essentially answers that central question.

The software has story points that list your character arcs and such, as well as plot points, so that you can make sure all the characters and such are leading to the same place.

It's a very useful tool IMO, even if you just use it when you are struggling with a script that isn't working properly. It allows you to get a glimpse into what's missing.

I bought Contour a while ago for plotting. It seems pretty good and the website has excellent plotting tutorials.

I haven't used it yet, though. It's designed for features and I'm yet to write one.

Just had a look at contour.

Seems OK, but it also seems a little too simple for my tastes.

It tells you your main character has to be sympathetic for instance and gives you ways of makingthem so...like making them an orphan, or hae sometihng bad happen to them like a divorce.

Really don't agree that your mian character has to be like that.

You can have nasty main characters, as long as they're interesting.

I have Dramatica, Contour and Save The Cat. I don't use any of them except for STC occasionally. Maybe it shows in my poor attempts at features, but I just can't write like that. As long as I know the ending, the story will take its own journey to get there. And that, IMHO is what makes writing fun.  :)

Yeah thats fair enough:) I'm just finishing up a feature and realizing that the 'easiest' parts were those where I knew generally what was gonna happen (whether a significant plot point or a scene that served a specific purpose or whatever). Looking back on it, I could've saved myself heaps of time if only I'd been a little more organized.

Still, I guess that's the thing about hindsight... :)

I have FD8.  I am getting ready to upgrade to version 9 so I can get version 10 free.  The new version looks like FD is coming out of the dark ages.  It has story mapping and looks freaking awesome. It is supposed to be realeased this fall.   I also use Fade In.  I like it a lot as well.

Plot Control.  I love it for outlining!!  My only complaint is that it's online.  I like a program installed on my computer.  They have great support too.  I got mine for 69.00.  Just contact support and they'll give you a deal.  Seriously..