What script editing software do you use?

[Jon-Luke]

Hi just a fun poll to see what other members are using to write their scrips on. If you have any comments on the program you are using please post them here.

I've been using Final Draft since version 5 and I find it easy and intuitive - I had some issued when I moved from a PC to Mac (Missed having the buttons where you could select CHARACTER, ACTION, SCENE HEADING etc... But I've learnt to use the mac shortcut keys instead). The older versions of Final Draft certainly had some issues; compatibility between Mac & PC, hick ups when converting from US Letter to A4 paper, etc... But now it seems to be quite a stable program if used correctly.

[coneflower2001]

CeltX ...I was using and paying for ScriptBuddy...but then I found out about Celtx on AW, and loved it.

[dpaterso]

I "won" a copy of MM2000 in a ScriptPIMP contest free draw a few years ago, which was rather nice. I've tried the others but still prefer MM for its robustness and user preference flexibility. Each to their own personal choice; they all do the biz. As always it's not the tool that counts, it's the writer. :)

-Derek

[alleycat]

I use MM mostly, but I have also have a copy of SceneWriter Pro (which I don't care much for). I also find some of the free BBC scripts programs helpful. I use them on my office computer (only during my lunch hour, you understand) because I don't want to load MM on that computer.

[WriteKnight]

Started on "Scriptware" back in the early nineties... which I'm pretty sure was one of the first. Had great market penetration, but then FD took off. Still use it, fast, easy, flexible.

Meh, you go with what you got.

[odocoileus]

MM6 on my main computer.

Celtx or Scriptsmart if I'm using some other computer. Celtx in particular comes in handy b/c I can download it to wherever I'm working.

[stuckupmyownera]

I've always used Screenforge and it's great. I've discovered Celtx recently and although it has some really useful features, it lacks a lot of auto-correction and auto-formatting stuff I've become used to, which is a pain! The page count works out slightly higher in Celtx too.

[Jon-Luke]

I'm surprised Final Draft seems to be the least used and yet it seems to be marketed the most and the most readily available...

[dpaterso]

You really can't go by what 10 voters say. :) While Celtx is finding fans among new aspiring screenwriters, FD and MM are well-established tools favored and endorsed by many pros and long-time aspiring screenwriters, who aren't going to change their habits on a whim.

-Derek

[icerose]

I use FD because a friend gave me their copy after only having it a couple of weeks and decided not to go into script writing. I love it, it's easy to use, but expensive, I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it.

[Steven Howard]

Celtx is free and it runs on Linux, which is also free. That's a big draw for amateurs like me.

[Jon-Luke]

I've been looking a Celtx, as an AD I find the story boarding option to be quite interesting, does anyone know if you can change the fonts and the layout of the storyboards?

[Shaun P. Spratling]

I found CeltX while I was trying to avoid spending 200 bucks on Final Draft, and while it's a very good program, it's open source. And while open source can be good, it always lacks in a lot of areas, especially documentation. And I found that I just didn't need all of the other pre-production features, which rendered it kind of pointless. I broke down and bought Final Draft 7 for the Mac, and it is expensive as hell, but it was worth it. It is easily the easiest and strongest screenwriting program on the market. I guess I could have just pirated it, but I prefer the software people get paid for their work.

[scan2001]

Final Draft is the way to go. It is expensive, but it worth every cent.

[slm22186]

I'm using Final Draft. I like it. You still have to format a bit but overall it's a good program :).

[bbsan]

Final Draft was given to me by an author who thought I showed promise and talent.

I'm still hoping he was right.