Software for Screenwriters
2013 update. Today I recommend only two software programs for format: the free Celtx (celtx.com) and the industry standard, Final Draft (finaldraft.com). The latter costs several hundred dollars and there's a student discount.
FD offers many bells and whistles beyond formatting. Reports are generated that can be very useful in analyzing the pacing and focus of the story. A text to speech feature programs the computer to read your script to you! You ever cast in the parts. In the future, I bet these are the voices of Hollywood stars.
Serious screenwriters should get FD eventually. In the meantime, learning, Celtx is great. Both have PC and Mac versions,
I decided to leave my earlier remarks, even though dated. Many of these programs are still available on the net at bargain basement prices. They were usable in the past, and they are usable now.
Software programs for screenwriters fall into two general
categories:
- "stand alone" specialized word processors for screenplays
- tools for screenwriters
The Whole Enchilada
As soon as you can afford it, purchase a full-fledged screenwriting program.
Not only will it format your script on the run as you write and automatically
reformat as you rewrite, a top line program will feature an index-card
interface for outlining, scene breakdown features, and much more.
There are half-a-dozen such programs on the market, all "linked" and many
reviewed at my screenwriters website at http://www.teleport.com/~cdeemer/Software.html .
Here I will recommend the three full-fledged programs I like the best. Both do
all the basics well (format, create character lists, etc.) but have different
features I like.
- Hollywood Screenplay (formerly Movie Master for Windows). I like the highlighting tools for
locating and easily finding plot points for a quick overview of structure.
Contact info:
- Movie Magic (formerly ScriptThing for Windows). I like the index-card interface, which
automatically transfers index card sluglines to the script. A great tool
for tree people! Contact info:
- http://www.scriptperfection.com/
- (800) 450-9450
- Demo: http://writerscomputer.com/store/stw1demo.htm
- Sophocles. The newest of the three, this program introduces a new kind of interface, splitting the screen vertically with an outline on the left and a script on the right. I confess I've fallen in love with this software, which is competitively priced, and Sophocles is the program I now regularly write with. Contact info:
- http://www.sophocles.net
- Download trial version at: http://www.sophocles.net/download.htm
A Word of Caution
Since all screenwriting programs have different features and a different
"feel" to the interface, buying such a program can be as personal as buying
a car and one person's dream program will not be another's. The best way
to shop for a program is to test demo's yourself.
Here is yet another
advantage of being a "wired screenwriter," of having access to the Internet:
you can download demo's. If you are online, you may want to check out the following demo's
for full-fledged screenwriting programs (in addition to my recommendations
of Hollywood Screenplay and ScriptThing above):
- Scriptware for Windows demo: http://writerscomputer.com/store/scrwdemo.htm
- Final Draft demo: Mac demo: http://writerscomputer.com/demo/FinalDraft.sit.hqx
Windows demo: http://writerscomputer.com/store/fddemo.htm
Templates and Macros
If you can't afford a full-fledged screenwriting program, there is a less
expensive alternative: a template or set of macros that turns your regular
word processing program into a script formatting program. Check out:
- Word for Windows program:
ScriptWright (for Word)
Windows demo: ftp://cellini.leonardo.net/rkoster/swdemw.exe
Mac demo: ftp://cellini.leonardo.net/rkoster/ScriptWrightDemo.sea
- WordPerfect program:
ShowScape (for WordPerfect)
Demo: ftp://leonardo.net/rkoster/shoscapd.exe
If you have a minimal degree of computer savvy, you can put together your
own screenplay template with Jeff Miholer's guidelines:
Jeff S. Miholer's Screenplay Template Maker
Tools for Screenwriters
An increasing number of tools for screenwriters are coming into the
marketplace. In fact, this self-guided course is one of them.
Here are some screenwriting tools that I find useful and recommend:
- StoryCraft: Story development tool based on the Jarvis
Method, which is essentially the hero's journey
paradigm.
1-800-STORY
Demo: http:/www.writerspage.com/software.htm
- ScriptREADER: A script coverage program based on coverage forms
used by the studios. Info at: http://www.scriptreader.com/
Demo: http://www.scriptreader.com/down1.htm
- Comedy Writer: Generates gag and humor by random juxtapositions
of input and database. Info at: http://www.usasoft.com/comedy.htm
Where to Buy Software
Look for sales at:
The Writer's Computer Story
http://writerscomputer.com/
from US or Canada phone 800-272-8927 toll free,
from US or Canada FAX 800-486-4006 toll free,
or e-mail to: writerscom@aol.com
Another good resource is:
Starcomp
http://www.leonardo.net/starcomp/
(818) 609-0330
MODULE 4:
SCREENWRIGHT: the craft of screenwriting
9/98