Screenwriting : Screenwriting software by Mariana Barbera

I started with the Celtx free version I now use their payed version.From memory I think you can only have 2 projects in the free version but you could always download your scripts as pdf files and never upgrade to the payed version.I once had an issue when I was working on a script rewrite as the producer only had Final Draft and file sharing was a problem.Final Draft is still industry standard.

I have been using ARC Studio, which is free (with a paid version as well). The free version seems to work perfectly well.

There's a lot of articles\youtube vids online that explain the differences between them if you want to compare them.

Let us know how you feel about other SW if you ever try them. Also looking for the best tools!

The best free versions are WriterDuet and Celtx. They both have limits on how many scripts you can upload, but in my opinion, WriterDuet is much better when it comes to collaboration - they even have a messaging function, importing/exporting, and all of the other fun functions like outlining/notes. The minor downside of Celtx is the watermark on the free version and it takes a bit to load sometimes (maybe that's just for me).

I've been using Celtx for over a decade, mostly the pay version, have over 300 projects on it. I like the cloud model since I like to write wherever I am, on whatever machine I'm in front of - makes it easy to write at the day job! Downside is you need the internet. Has project sharing and lots of tools for production, if you plan to make a movie. Can upload these formats: pdf, fdx, txt, rtf, docx, html, celtx

I love WriterDuet for it’s collaborative ability-I work with a writing partner sometimes, and it gives us the opportunity to work together in such an easy and flexible way. But I also use Final Draft since it is the industry standard. It also has a lot of great features-like the beat board and index cards.

Are you looking to approach screenwriting as a professional or just a hobby? There are lots of free formatting programs available - they all have their limitations - most are promos trying to sell their product. If you want to go pro, then you have basically only two options; Final Draft or Movie Magic (in the US market).

basically, not exclusively - lots of folk will argue the point.

I write on the go, so I use WriterDuet on my laptop, tablets and even my cell while working on a first draft. I use Final Draft on my main PC to do edits, rewrites and finishes for the final product..

I've only ever used Final Draft, since when I started that seemed to be the industry standard benchmark. To me, $175 (or whatever it cost) was a very small operating cost to get going, and not have to worry about compatibility down the line. But that's just my logic - there are lots of FDX-friendly free tools out there, not trying to argue paid is better than anything else.

Final Draft is the big dog.

WriterDuet. It is free as a trial. But worth every cent. The apps are great. I write mostly on an iPad. It has great sync and backup etc.

I don’t use Final Draft. But I heard their most recent release was said to bring them up to what others offered in 1997. They are considered the standard because they are so old. But in reality PDF is the standard. Everything can import a PDF.

Everyone I have worked with just takes a PDF and imports it into whatever they are using.

folks in production print scripts, lots of side pages. Especially television. I know a few tv script coordinators/Writers assts and they all say to master final draft. Become a fd wizard and that skill increases your chance of tv asst/coordinator job offers.

I was a hold-out on Final Draft, and developed a really good screenwriting template for Word, (First Draft 1.3.2.). A few folks on Stage 32 have used it, say they really like it. Free if you want to check it out.

https://1drv.ms/w/s!Aof2xmHfSxk6-w_jjxsRU99znrTS?e=Gm7GI7

Now I start outlining with that because I like using a full-featured word processor, which FD is not, but I import and finish in Final Draft for the script because it handles final industry-standard formatting so well. Plus I really get a lot out of FD's Beat Board feature. Great for visual thinkers. Once you get used to it, FD is really easy.

Not sure what it's called now, and it's not free -- I use Movie Magic Screenwriter, have for many years. Had to modify their templates a bit, but use it for screenplays, sitcoms, stage plays, novels. It updates automatically.

Final draft for sure. It does cost a little bit but at the end it’s small in comparison to the peace of mind you receive and the ease it is to operate. Truly a great program and worth it.

Final Draft..costs money but great

I'm with Dan - FD because everyone uses it. It's kind of bloated with features I don't use, but still the best overall.

I have heard great things about Scrivener. You can also import/export scripts compatible with Final Draft.

Mariana, it's Final Draft for me because I don't have to worry about formatting...just writing. (And it helps that the computer I inherited from a codirector of a documentary I was in, the computer I type my scripts on, already had FD 6 loaded onto the computer!)

Final Draft is the standard. Links right up to scheduling software. I know the other platforms are supposed to but a schedule merged to an FDR script, you can board and schedule the film usually in a full day or two. Good luck to ya!

I am still using Movie Magic Screenwriter. It is good for producers from what I understand. There is a button to convert the scripts to Final Draft if someone requests that, so it is like having both. It can also convert to PDF, which is best for contests. I thought about switching, but have used MM so long that I feel comfy there.

<-------- FD puts a smile on my face. Never used anything else.

Favorite? Movie Magic Screenwriter hands down. Simple and clean to use. Reluctantly, I use Final Draft when clients mandate.

If you're looking for inexpensive and solid, I recommend Fade In Pro. Pretty dang good for under $100.

Free software always has limitations in the interest of getting you to buy the "pro" version.

Seems like there's lots of good options out there for you to consider. As many have said, FD is often seen as the big dog. I haven't ever used it myself though, so I can't comment.

I use WriterDuet, a few people have given an overview of why. It's the first one I tried, used the free version and then quickly moved to the paid version. To me, it works perfectly.

Hi, Mariana! I’ve only ever used Final Draft and I love it! Very simple and straightforward as far as formatting goes!

I agree with Monica. Final Draft also has templates for various formats, which you can use or adapt as appropriate. It has loads of other features I don't use ..... :-))

FD worth the money.

FD

I use Fade In - it's cheaper, easier to work with and updates automatically, plus it supports Final Draft files (and saves them to its own format).

Thank you so much everyone! I've read every comment and really appreciate the time you all took to tell me about your experiences with writing software. In the end I decided to go with Final Draft because of its industry standard formatting, but also because other features which are crucial for me like live collaboration, beat board (for production as a film maker mainly), etc. I had worked previously with Celtx (free version) in a couple of projects, but really missed not having a beat board. Also tried formatting a word document as a screenplay, which did the job really well, but again, I needed the extra features FD has (although not unique to FD) and because some of my collaborators also work on FD. Many thanks, have a great week everyone!

Final Draft!!!! I have been using it for years and you will find a LOT of professionals are also using it. Makes it nice when you end up working with a team using the same writing app too

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" In the end I decided to go with Final Draft" smart move!!!!!

Final Draft, for sure!

Circling back months later - what did you choose? In pre prod the other day someone used a “compatible” software and trying to jump into our workflow which was all Final Draft from the word go had several glitches. It’s really the superior platform from concept to GO TIME.

I’m using Arc Studio, nobody has mentioned it here but I find it great, I’m fairly new to writing so does anyone have any thoughts on Arc??

@Caroline Dean, Yes, I use it too and find it adequate for my current needs.

I use StudioBinder Inc. I am new to screenwriting so I will see how it goes.

After years of resistance, I finally bought Final Draft 12. Like anything, it's an investment in my writing business. The reason for this investment is not because Final Draft is some unbelievably fantastic software that changes everything. The investment allows users to integrate seamlessly into a professional world where many already use Final Draft, and that is very important for those seeking work in that world. It does provide some cool features, like the ability for remote groups to all work on the same manuscript at the same time and leave color-coded comments and changes. I'm assuming that one of the other benefits is that the interface adapts to whatever type of screen you are using to view a document, so that users on a phone, tablet, or PC all see the manuscript displayed properly...which is very important considering you have no idea what type of devices your readers might use. It also adds the comfort of a pre-programmed format for nearly every type of manuscript you want to write, so there is no guesswork on formatting issues, and you can breeze through the writing with a handful of shortcuts. I would say I'm happy I made the investment for my writing business.

Used CelTx in film school because it was free but moved up to Final Draft (got student discount so the pain was less), that said, FD was/is well worth it, especially when you need the script read back (eyes can be dull, but ears...never miss mistakes).

For what its worth, if you give Writer Duet a shot, they have a free desktop app called Writer Solo you can download. I used Writer Duet for several projects and am using Solo now. While it's not flawless, it does everything Duet does, saves backups and produces nice PDF's when done..There's another free program from an Indian developer called "Scrite" but unlike most programs, its Scene oriented rather than traditional so there's a bit of a learning curve

I use Final Draft but I don’t think it’s my favorite. I used Celtix until they started charging for it. Then I was like, “as long as they’re charging anyway, might as well get Final Draft.” It it FREQUENTLY just closes midway through a sentence. Totally pisses me off. I try to save often.

FD 11 does this too but very infrequently. Set Auto Save on for a time you like between 3 and 60 minutes. I use 10 minutes, Ask Before Auto Save, off. Tools, Options, General.

Thanks @E Langley! That was good tip. I just changed it to 3 minutes. You may have saved me a lot of heartache.

Happy to help.