Re: screenwriting software

From: Captain P.J. (email suppressed)
Date: Tue Nov 07 2006 - 08:41:41 PST

('binary' encoding is not supported, stored as-is) I got a copy of Final Draft that a friend won at some contest (=free to me). I like it, but I don't think it's worth the price tag. I personally haven't used most of the "cool stuff" that comes with it: it will break your scenes down for you and help you "organize" shooting schedules and whatnot, it has templates for television, stage, etc., digital voices will read your script for you (I might actually use that some day because it's kind of cool ;) but pretty useless just for writing).

If all you are looking for is help with formatting, just surf the web a bit and download some freeware or shareware that plugs into Word. That worked fine for me until I snatched my friend's prize! Here are some for starters:

http://www.dependentfilms.net/files.html
http://www.cvisual.com/film-techniques/film-script-templates.asp
http://www3.sympatico.ca/mbelli/sm.htm

I just looked at Celtx, too. That seems like a good tool (though maybe a bit on the "fussy" side)!

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On 11/7/06, Brook Hinton email suppressed> wrote:

I'm in the write now, format later camp. And also a cheapskate. FInal Draft just seems so $$$$$, esp. since I already have to have MS Word for other work projects.

Celtx is free: www.celtx.com . I don't think you can import and auto-format with it though. There's a lot in it to ignore when you're doing non-traditional work, but the potential for a lot of flexibility beyond just the screenwriting module. Think of it as a stripped down but functional and free combination of FD and the MOvie Magic stuff.

Brook Hinton

On 11/7/06, k. a.r. email suppressed> wrote:

    Anybody used either montage or final draft or something else?
    what did you think...was it worth buying?
    any advice appreciated.
    thanks.
    k.

    Kristie Reinders, B.F.A.
    Director of Cinematography, Electric Visions
    Curator and Head Projectionist, Electric Mural Project
    The Mission, San Francisco, CA

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-- 
_______________________________________________________
Brook Hinton
film/video/audio art
www.brookhinton.com
studio blog/vlog: www.brookhinton.com/temporalab
brookhinton.com/tracegarden
brookhinton.com/thepublicrecord
________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at email suppressed>. 
__________________________________________________________________
For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.