What software does everyone use for screenwriting? Fade In, Final Draft, WriterDuet, or something else?
I've been using Word with hotkeys and preformatted styles for character names, parentheticals, dialogue, action, scene headings, etc. It's worked well enough.
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Final draft is what I use. Was worth every penny even if I never make it as a writer
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Bobby G I've been debating buying it.
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I have an old free version of CeltX that I still continue to use. All I need it to do is have templates/formats built in to write on top of. That's it. I need the script, not another subscription service.
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Most of the screenwriting programs do the same thing. Personally, I love Celtx because I use the other features for indie film production. But I've also just used Google Docs. Whatever it takes to get the story from our minds to paper.
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I'm migrating from FD to Trelby. I tried other ones like Scribd and found that Trelby formats better, imports from FD better, and is easier. Trelby is free (so far) and Scribd is affordable with a 30 day trial.
Good luck!
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Stephen Folker Every time I think, just buy it, I remember Word is bought and paid for...
Celtx looks awesome, though. When I finally sell a script and need to look legit, it'll probably be worth the doll hairs.
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I use MS Word
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As a newbie, with zilch idea how to format a film-script, I bought Final draft to format it for me.
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Buy software. Why rent? FD causes you to upgrade roughly every year.
My favs: Movie Magic Screenwriter, Fade In Pro.
I do not put scripts in the cloud and want positive control of software and IP.
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PS: When working on someone's script that is in Word, a number of hours going into reformatting and check to see that everything imported correctly. Word is a poor option for production...
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Tim Mace word is great option. As long as you have a great story, that's what matters.
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I've used Final Draft for years and it's fine, but Word with preformatted styles is a solid approach if it works for you, because the software doesn't make the script better, it just makes the formatting easier. Have you ever run into issues with exporting to industry standard formats?
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Stephen Folker That's the only kind I write. Now I just need to convince someone with money, or access to it, of that.
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Philip Sedgwick I've always wondered about this. If a Word document is formatted nearly identically, what are the biggest issues it creates in production? I would've assumed everyone reading it would understand it just the same.
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Samantha Rivera When I sell my first screenplay, I'll let you know.
Tim Mace especially as they always seem to want a pdf anyway, so may not even know what software creaetd it.
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Philip Sedgwick, are you saying I have to adapt my only other novel into a screenplay quickly before they bring out the next version? I've adapted the first one already with FD13. Do they actually force us to upgrade? How expensive is it usually?
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Tim Mace Final Draft really is the way to go. It's the industry standard and they have so many cool tools built in, including outlining features. Highly recommend.
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I've been using Beat. I don't have much to compare it to, I tried Fade In but Beat seemed a little more straightforward. Previously I was using... Apple Notes. Moving huge chunks of dialogue around with copy and paste. I'm trying not to put the cart before the horse and actually have a product before I purchase Final Draft. I still like TextEdit or UpNote for jotting things down/doing some stream of consciousness to work things out.
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Tim Mace A word doc is not the same. The margins are different. Scene numbers are not easy. I have formatted so many Word docs to script documents. For a feature, it's a full days work. Why build in problems? Buy software and at least act like a pro. Have you ever had a producer breakdown a script from a Word doc?
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Tui, they don't force you. per se, but why subject yourself to that? Own your software, keep positive control of your scripts. Someone's cloud is not positive control. And as for cost, ask the damn company.
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Tim Mace i use WriterDuet - I was using the free version but if memory serves me correct it limits you to 3 projects so I went to the standard fee and am very happy. Easy to export. To be fair, I don't think I've really tested the software to a fraction of its capability so it's a good life for both of us lol
Hi, @Tim. I use Final Draft 12. I've also used WriterDuet.