What script editing software do you use?

Jon-Luke · 06-14-2008, 05:04 PM

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 · 06-14-2008, 08:55 PM

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

dpaterso · 06-15-2008, 05:49 PM

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 · 06-15-2008, 05:59 PM

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 · 06-15-2008, 06:23 PM

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 · 06-16-2008, 01:22 AM

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 · 06-16-2008, 04:31 AM

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 · 06-16-2008, 10:42 PM

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 · 06-16-2008, 11:07 PM

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 · 06-16-2008, 11:46 PM

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 · 06-22-2008, 05:30 AM

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

Jon-Luke · 07-04-2008, 11:37 AM

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 · 12-31-2008, 08:23 PM

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 · 01-07-2009, 11:42 PM

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

slm22186 · 01-14-2009, 11:43 PM

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

.

bbsan · 01-15-2009, 02:29 AM

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

I'm still hoping he was right.

sekime · 11-15-2012, 08:52 PM

Fade In Pro

MyBrainReallyHurts · 11-16-2012, 02:09 PM

Scrivener for the research/outline/treatment. Celtx to write the actual script. Maybe one Christmas I will treat myself to Final Draft.

aikigypsy · 11-18-2012, 10:59 PM

CeltX because it's free, and I'm just trying out screenwriting (I mostly write novels and short non-fiction).

Barking Tree · 11-19-2012, 12:19 PM

Scrivener for research/treatment/planning and Fade In Pro for the script.

Summonere · 11-19-2012, 08:34 PM

Open Office. Yeah. I format everything manually, same way I did with Microsoft Word.

lefty23 · 01-19-2013, 12:46 AM

Movie magic for me. Used to have final draft but took an online class at UCLA and MM was required. I guess i've just gotten used to it because i still use it.

KarmaHead · 02-08-2013, 03:46 AM

I use Celtx for a first draft or for short scripts I plan to use, and FD for feature scripts and any final scripts.

I prefer Celtx out of the two, though.

thorjansen · 02-08-2013, 04:05 AM

I futzed around with Fade In for a bit, just out of curiosity really. Not free, but pretty cheap. I have no idea how people rate this software, I have MM too (though it only works on my PPC until I upgrade).

juniper · 04-26-2013, 03:48 AM

Anyone use "Save the Cat" software, based on the book by Blake Snyder?

https://www.writersstore.com/save-th...&rid=233816951

View Poll Results: What screenwriting software do you use? (You can select more than one option)
Final Draft	18	36.73%
Movie Magic Screenwriter	11	22.45%
CeltX	16	32.65%
Another script editing program (like Screenwriter Pro)	8	16.33%
Another free editing program or macro (like Scriptsmart)	7	14.29%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

06-14-2008, 05:04 PM	#1
Jon-Luke Anomalous crusader Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cape Town Posts: 109	What script editing software do you use? 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. __________________ Jon-Luke “Those who restrain their desires, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.” ~ William Blake

06-14-2008, 08:55 PM	#2
coneflower2001 figuring it all out Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 93	CeltX ...I was using and paying for ScriptBuddy...but then I found out about Celtx on AW, and loved it. __________________ Training for the Danskin Tri in 2009! YA Historical Novel "Shadow and Rails" (14,500 words and counting)

06-15-2008, 05:49 PM	#3
dpaterso Perpetual edit mode SuperModerator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The land of cow pies Posts: 16,038	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 __________________ Absolute Visions Anthology of Speculative Fiction 19 tales of magic, wonder and science.

06-16-2008, 01:22 AM	#6
odocoileus practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 794	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. __________________ It's the dirty story of a dirty man And his clinging wife doesn't understand

06-15-2008, 05:59 PM	#4
alleycat "Is that where it itches?" AW Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 51,979	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.

06-15-2008, 06:23 PM	#5
WriteKnight Arranger Of Disorder Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 30,000 light years from Galactic Central Point. Posts: 1,702	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.

06-16-2008, 04:31 AM	#7
stuckupmyownera Mostly lurking Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 608	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.

06-16-2008, 10:42 PM	#8
Jon-Luke Anomalous crusader Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cape Town Posts: 109	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... __________________ Jon-Luke “Those who restrain their desires, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.” ~ William Blake

06-16-2008, 11:07 PM	#9
dpaterso Perpetual edit mode SuperModerator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The land of cow pies Posts: 16,038	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 __________________ Absolute Visions Anthology of Speculative Fiction 19 tales of magic, wonder and science.

06-16-2008, 11:46 PM	#10
icerose Dream Killer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Middle of Nowhere, Utah Posts: 11,535	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. __________________ "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." — Albert Einstein I helped write this!!!!http://www.ibnbattuta.tv/

06-22-2008, 05:30 AM	#11
Steven Howard figuring it all out Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 66	Celtx is free and it runs on Linux, which is also free. That's a big draw for amateurs like me.

07-04-2008, 11:37 AM	#12
Jon-Luke Anomalous crusader Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cape Town Posts: 109	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? __________________ Jon-Luke “Those who restrain their desires, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained.” ~ William Blake

12-31-2008, 08:23 PM	#13
Shaun P. Spratling New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1	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.

01-07-2009, 11:42 PM	#14
scan2001 New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7	Final Draft is the way to go. It is expensive, but it worth every cent.

01-14-2009, 11:43 PM	#15
slm22186 New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 43	I'm using Final Draft. I like it. You still have to format a bit but overall it's a good program . __________________

01-15-2009, 02:29 AM	#16
bbsan New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2	Final Draft was given to me by an author who thought I showed promise and talent. I'm still hoping he was right.

11-15-2012, 08:52 PM	#17
sekime Writing and learning Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 68	Fade In Pro Last edited by sekime; 02-09-2013 at 04:57 PM. Reason: I'm very happy I'm using Fade In Pro now!

11-16-2012, 02:09 PM	#18
MyBrainReallyHurts No, it really doesn't. Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 15	Scrivener for the research/outline/treatment. Celtx to write the actual script. Maybe one Christmas I will treat myself to Final Draft.

11-18-2012, 10:59 PM	#19
aikigypsy practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: In the Woods Posts: 255	CeltX because it's free, and I'm just trying out screenwriting (I mostly write novels and short non-fiction).

11-19-2012, 12:19 PM	#20
Barking Tree New Fish; Learning About Thick Skin Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Staffordshire, UK Posts: 28	Scrivener for research/treatment/planning and Fade In Pro for the script.

11-19-2012, 08:34 PM	#21
Summonere practical experience, FTW Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,038	Open Office. Yeah. I format everything manually, same way I did with Microsoft Word. __________________ Check out this book I didn't write. The author will happily wag her tail, if you do. www.laughingdog-by-dcburns.com

01-19-2013, 12:46 AM	#22
lefty23 figuring it all out Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 66	Movie magic for me. Used to have final draft but took an online class at UCLA and MM was required. I guess i've just gotten used to it because i still use it.

02-08-2013, 03:46 AM	#23
KarmaHead Winston Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: England Posts: 24	I use Celtx for a first draft or for short scripts I plan to use, and FD for feature scripts and any final scripts. I prefer Celtx out of the two, though.

02-08-2013, 04:05 AM	#24
thorjansen practical experience, FTW Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 149	I futzed around with Fade In for a bit, just out of curiosity really. Not free, but pretty cheap. I have no idea how people rate this software, I have MM too (though it only works on my PPC until I upgrade). __________________ G+ \| My Macaw's Whacky Travel Blog \| That Tweety Thing

04-26-2013, 03:48 AM	#25
juniper Always curious. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: psych ward 503 Posts: 1,316	Anyone use "Save the Cat" software, based on the book by Blake Snyder? https://www.writersstore.com/save-th...&rid=233816951 __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "For all my dreams, I am what I do." --David K. Reynolds, Constructive Living guru blogging (sporadically) at http://www.katjuniper.blogspot.com, tweeting (sometimes) as @KatJuniper

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