script software

[kitt]

I downloaded a free demo of movie magic. I really like the ease in which it makes formatting, among other things. The actual cost of the program is around $200. Does anyone know where I could get it cheaper?

[BottomlessCup]

Did you try Sophocles (http://www.sophocles.net)?

It's a little cheaper. ($120)

Or, if you have a valid student or faculty ID, you can get MM2K for $99 from the Dramatica Store (http://dramatica.stores.yahoo.net/movmagscreen4.html).

Other than that, there's the usual unscrupulous ways. ;)

[Goodwriterguy]

Did you try Sophocles (http://www.sophocles.net)?

It's a little cheaper. ($120)

Or, if you have a valid student or faculty ID, you can get MM2K for $99 from the Dramatica Store (http://dramatica.stores.yahoo.net/movmagscreen4.html).

Other than that, there's the usual unscrupulous ways. ;)
As a Sophocles user for the past five or six years, I gotta promote that product. We can grow accustomed to almost anything, but some things are better suited. I tried them all (course, that was six and seven years ago) and became a Beta tester on Sophocles. I was awarded a free copy because I found some bugs in Beta testing. Tech support is free and superbly done, not that you need it very often, if at all. The system produces PDFs and RTFs and imports .TXT and .RTF and you can use FD's Courier with it (which I do, it's the best Courier out there); just download it from FD's site and install it on your machine, then select it as the default font in Sophocles.

I have no financial stake in Sophocles whatsoever.

It is a multi-featured program with nearly all the bell's and whistles and some the other systems don't enjoy, with excellent reporting features.

You can't beat it with a stick, especially for the price. :)

GWG ~~

[dpaterso]

I'm a Movie Magic user and I would recommend Movie Magic to anyone, I've tried the others, they just weren't as good.

Insert Final Draft users saying exactly the same thing about Final Draft!

These packages all have the necessary import/export options, PDF, RTF, etc.

However if expense is the primary deciding factor then you might want to download and trial the freebies, the tips (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24087) thread has a couple of links.

But to answer your question, your best bet is to Google the product, and/or you might find second hand copies on eBay.

-Derek (the above should be regarded as my personal opinion)

[whistlelock]

I too am a user and big fan of Sophocles. I like it's layout and I find it very intuitive to use.

and if you're a student you can get Soph for 50% off, I did.

[billythrilly7th]

I'm a Movie Magic user and I would recommend Movie Magic to anyone, I've tried the others, they just weren't as good.


Me too.

I once had Final Draft and Movie Magic at the same time and I'd only use Movie Magic.

I love Movie Magic so much.

It's the best there is.

[kitt]

thanks, I wanted to post some of the script I'm working on, but since I'm using the demo version write now I can't export. I'm going to have to lay out the cash because I love Movie Magic. I realized (duh) that unless I want to retype all that I've already written (which I might do) I'll have to pay for the one I'm using now. I know it's a good investment though.

[RainbowDragon]

I use Hollywood Screenwriter ($30) which saves to .rtf, and Cutepdf writer (free from www.cutepdf.com) to convert files to .pdf -- works for me, and well under $100!!

[alleycat]

Another vote for Movie Magic.

I think I bought my copy from an Amazon Marketplace seller for something like $150.

[icerose]

I use Hollywood Screenwriter ($30) which saves to .rtf, and Cutepdf writer (free from www.cutepdf.com (http://www.cutepdf.com)) to convert files to .pdf -- works for me, and well under $100!!

The thing I hate about cutepdf is they put their web address on your pdf file so you are sending out your stuff with their advertisement, real professional looking there.

[dpaterso]

I tried cutePDF, moved to PDF995 for a while, then ended up with PrimoPDF (http://www.primopdf.com) which ComicBent recommended. No fuss, no imbeds, no ads.

Hmm, I Googled "Hollywood Screenwriter" and found it at the Writers Store (http://www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=3210) and on special offer at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Write-Brothers-Hollywood-Screenwriter/dp/B00004TYC4).

-Derek

[Joe Unidos]

A new writer need only put aside $5 a week. If she's still passionate about screenwriting a year later, she's got more than enough for FD or MM.

[Goodwriterguy]

thanks, I wanted to post some of the script I'm working on, but since I'm using the demo version write now I can't export. I'm going to have to lay out the cash because I love Movie Magic. I realized (duh) that unless I want to retype all that I've already written (which I might do) I'll have to pay for the one I'm using now. I know it's a good investment though.
If you can print it, you can take it to Kinkos and scan it, create an RTF or something that you can import into whatever you do buy.

[RainbowDragon]

The thing I hate about cutepdf is they put their web address on your pdf file so you are sending out your stuff with their advertisement, real professional looking there.

Hmm..the current version has no watermarks, and I don't see any ads attached to files . .unless they're hidden somewhere in which case please let me know how to find them.

[RainbowDragon]

I tried cutePDF, moved to PDF995 for a while, then ended up with PrimoPDF (http://www.primopdf.com)

Thanks for this, Derek, PrimoPdf has some neat security features. Haven't tried it yet but assuming they work I'll probably like this better than Cutepdf too.

[mommyjo2]

I use a free text editor (RoughDraft). I tried Sophocles (free trial) and I hated it. I suggest trying as many as you can and using the one that fits "you".

[broughcut]

I downloaded a free demo of movie magic. I really like the ease in which it makes formatting, among other things. The actual cost of the program is around $200. Does anyone know where I could get it cheaper?

http://www.celtx.com/

Free, open source, and pretty good.

As long as Scr(i)t magazine runs feature ads for places like The Screenplay Agency, you can download Final Draft, all versions, cracked, for free and without guilt from Ares, Emule, Limewire or Usenet.

[broughcut]

in fact I don't think it is open source, but it is free and works on Windows, OS X and Linux (the only cross-platform screenwriting ap that does without any arm-twisting)

[kitt]

http://www.celtx.com/

Free, open source, and pretty good.

As long as Scr(i)t magazine runs feature ads for places like The Screenplay Agency, you can download Final Draft, all versions, cracked, for free and without guilt from Ares, Emule, Limewire or Usenet.

Really, That's probably what I'll do then. Save myself $200. thanks.