Screenwriting : Script writing software by Phillip Currie Hurst

Don't write in MS Word, use a tool that's designed to do the job properly. There are so many free options available there really is no excuse for not using one.

Hello! I did the same thing when I wrote the first draft of my first screenplay, except it was on Google Drive. Still very difficult. I haven't tried any of the other software, but I do use WriterDuet. I just started writing my second screenplay and had to get acclimated again with the rules of writing screenplays. WriterDuet was helpful with jogging my memory, since the sidebar has tools that are in order (Scene, Action, Character, etc). It indents for you and has the margins set, even for the title page. That's been working for me so far.

I don’t use word for final work. But you can use it for basic drafts and it not be a huge waste of time.

But eventually you’ll have to get something to make your life easier.

http://griffithscreative.com.au/do-i-need-screenwriting-software/

I'm doing it the same way you are, Personally I prefer it this way. It's harder and longer but I feel more connected with what I'm writing.

I used celtx from the start. Its got a free version. Once you start with a dedicated software you will never want to go back. If you want to write a lot, you have to use the tools. A blacksmith doesn't use a cake for a hammer, do they? :)

I use Celtx also. I've tried others like Final Draft but for most things I use Celtx and if I need to transfer things into FD later. It's free and relatively simple to use. But I'm not a writer so my screenplays are usually just kind of a draft or a blueprint and I always put too much screen directions in there. But since I'm the one directing it's fine for me.

Full list of screenwriting options including those that are free here.

Look closely at WriterDuet, Highland 2 (Mac only), and Scrivener. Also look at Prewrite for story building.

I use Final Draft. As it does all the formatting for me, I don't have to devote any time to formatting and can focus on writing. Thus, I have one less distraction to worry about. I like it because (1) it's easy, (2) it's the industry standard, and (3) my screenplays look very professional when I print them out. Was it worth the cost? Absolutely!

For under $100, Fade In. Over $100, Final Draft. They all do the same formatting but it's a bit problematic if you're converting back and forth with different software brands, sharing files, doing revision drafts (blue, pink...).

Celtx has been great for me as far as formatting

Celtx is great!

I use Final Draft for Screenplays but will work with Scrivener for other projects or screenplays that will be transliterated into other formats

You can use Word to write your scripts (no formatting needed). When you have your character name in capitals it automatically will place the text beneath as dialogue. Same with scene headings. Text beneath is action. You can also use parentheticals. Save as a .rtf (rich text). When you open in Final Draft it will be formatted as a script.

StudioBinder have free a script software program. Can also save them as PDF. Unfortunately, you can only import .pdf, .fdx, .fountain and .txt documents for it to convert into a script. .txt. documents don’t convert into script format.

I echo Ian Buchanan with Scrivener. I use it to break story and keep all my research and notes all in one accessible file, which is actually a collection of bins/folders. I'm not fond of the way it handles writing and exporting the screenplay documents so I do my writing in Final draft. Fade in does have a free demo version if you want to try before you buy. I used Celtx for a time when I just wanted to crank pages but found it glitchy. That's just me.

Phillip, are you exploring screenwriting as a potential career in North America or as just a hobby? If you are serious and career oriented - then Final Draft is the way to go. It's almost universally used in the industry. If you're a hobbyist, any formatting software will do. Most will render a .pdf file which is what you submit anyway.

Update: If you tab once for character and dialogue in your Word doc; save as a PDF, when you import into StudioBinder it's correctly formatted.

FadeIn Pro

You can try FinalDraft free for 30 days and see if you like it. But you won't be able to download and save your work as PDF unless you buy the software. Anyways, on MS WORD, you can use the SCREENPLAY document template if you're just writing away. Whatever you've written on Word Screenplay Doc can be copy/pasted to FinalDraft and your work will be there in the correct format so you don't have to write the whole thing again.

UPDATE: Thanks for all the helpful advice. I did look into several software but dumped them quickly. They simply didn't download and launch properly or not all functions worked properly or they seemed needlessly complex/cryptic/. I'm using a ThinkPad with Windows 10 and everything up to date. I could probably get them working with some time invested but in my world, if it doesn't work right out of the box then I look for something else. That experience included Trebly, Writer Solo, Arc Studio, Final Draft and a few others I can't recall at the moment. With Final Draft, I was sent a key for the 30 day trial software which was not accepted by the software I installed. Brilliant. But... FadeIn worked immediately and is totally intuitive. As for continuing in MSWord, all one has to do is understand how "Styles" works and create styles that have the proper formatting and that is what I was doing. Simple to do. But FadeIn (and others I am sure) have built in handy shortcuts that make it a little easier to write. Also MSWord can't export your work in the .fdx format which seems to be a big deal.

I use www.writersduet.com its free and accessible anywhere ( in the cloud)

You are welcome to try this Word template Phil. I use it for my initial work, then port it over to Final Draft for submissions.

https://1drv.ms/w/s!Aof2xmHfSxk6-w_jjxsRU99znrTS?e=5ebrA7

I hear Final Draft 12 will finally have better outlining capabilities.

I think it would be wise to spend a little more time getting to grips with something like Final Draft even if it doesn’t work “out of the box” as you say. As commendable as your resolve is - producers don’t give a hill of beans about “your world” explanations for not using industry standard kit unfortunately that’s just the “real world”.

Celtx

I echo what most have said above, Phillip (great name, by the way!) If you're just starting out and just want to write (the most important thing of all, right?), then Word can do this at a very basic level. But there are free-to-use online screenwriting programs that will sort out the fundamental margins etc. so I would certainly look at these before submitting anywhere (i.e. agents, production companies, contests etc.)

And if you're serious about this writing game, then I would urge you to invest in proper screenwriting software. Something like Highland, FadeIn or Final Draft. The latter is the only one I've ever used in all my years working in the industry, so I can't really comment on the others. I'd certainly try the Final Draft trial version and see how you get on and after those 30 days, if you're keen to pay your hard-earned for a full version, then come back to me: I can get you a 25% discount on the RRP.

As a side note, anyone who wants a .fdx version already has Final Draft. FD doesn't understand .docx but can import ,txt or .rtf files. You lose most of the formatting, so it's not a great solution. If you get to the point of selling something, you might want to consider investing in a copy of FD. It still seems to be the industry standard.

Greetings Phillip Currie Hurst I use FD, but would love to use John August’s screenwriting programme, Highland. Maybe one day I’ll get a Mac Book and can have it one there! I’d never use MS Word, it just doesn’t look professional and the formatting is a real trial.