Screenwriting : Celtx FREE Basic Scriptwriting Tool by Kelly Krause

Kelly Krause

Celtx FREE Basic Scriptwriting Tool

Has anyone used this tool? How does it compare to more costly programs like Final Draft? Would anyone recommend Celtx? Thanks, everyone! ; ) https://www.celtx.com/pricing.html

Anthony Cawood

It's free, and for that then it's pretty damn good, Writer's Duet also worth a look at the free end of things too, arguably better. Final Draft is $200 or so and full of features most writers will never use...

Personally I go in the middle for Fade In, great and only $60 or so,

Doug Nelson

The free version of Celtx is fine as an entry level program. If you do get serious about professional screenwriting, you will more than likely want to move on to Final Draft because it offers much more production related features. It has sort of become the de-facto program in the US market. Best wishes for your writing.

Richard Thrift

I use an older version of CeltX to work offline which I got from Softonic. Though I do have an account in the CeltX cloud as well.

Cherelynn Baker

I've used it - the free version and the paid version and there wasn't much difference - so back to the free version.

Anthony Cawood

@Richard - I'd be careful with that old desktop version, CeltX don't support it at all, so when I lost a couple of short script when it didn't save them properly they were no help.

Kelly Krause

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate your feedback. : ) Seems like quite a few of you use both Celtx *and* Final Draft (w/ Final Draft edging out Celtx for some of you)... I've signed up for Celtx and just managed to get Final Draft on sale, so I'll aim to work with both depending on my needs.

Craig D Griffiths

Celtx is great. Get the mobile apps as well. They work in concert with the cloud offering. You can use cards to build and idea. A click and it converts to a script. A few clicks and it becomes a project. It has built in sharing and access controls. It goes all the way into production management. It would be great for indie film production. I have looked at Final Draft and it is messy in comparison. I am about to start paying a monthly for Celtx. Don't need any of the extra features but it is so good I want to reward their efforts. Final Draft has a file format known as FDX. Celtx can open and save these.

Doug Nelson

Craig - you're in Australia, she's in San Francisco. I'm unaware of your industry standard, but I am aware of ours - our industry standard leans more toward Final Draft.

Kelly Krause

Thanks, Dan G. and Craig! I'll aim to use both, depending on the project I'm working on and who I'm working with. Dan M., I'll see if I can score that gym membership. ; )

Craig D Griffiths

@Doug I am not in the USA correct but Craig Mazin is and so is John August they use Writer Duet and Highland respectively. FD became the industry standard when PCs were new and they were the only choice. The world has changed. The only standard is PDF not some text editor. Every script I send (100%) go out as PDF. I understand the faith to a system look at Windows vs Mac, but there is no standard. If you want to collaborate with FD uses save as FDX, problem solved. As a side note, if you see the new Pirates movie you'll be seeing Australia. All shot down here, like so much is.

James Chalker

I like Highland a lot. If I ever have a need for Final Draft, I'll get it, but for now Highland is all I need.

Craig D Griffiths

Just out of curiosity. What is the downstream software that people use after FD. The suite that Studios, producers and director import FD files into?

Craig D Griffiths

FD as production end. I don't see production tools in it. Oh well just me I guess

Richard Thrift

I agree with John Hunter.

Craig D Griffiths

I agree with whatever people believe makes them a better writer. What I don't believe is that a career is measured by the software you choose. I have heard so many industry heavy weights laugh at this type of conversation. They laugh at the concept of a standard, they sometimes agree PDF.

Craig D Griffiths

You have to listen to the Scriptnotes podcast. Things that people believe as written in stone brings tears to their eyes.

Anthony Cawood

Craig Mazin on Scriptnotes hates Final Draft and their interview with the makers of it is a classic... if you've never heard the podcast it is also v funny and informative.

Craig D Griffiths

Dan G, you should make time. If you drive, catch a train or listen to music, you should listen to this.

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