Screenwriting : Do you outline? by Jason Keating

I do at least two outlines: a rough outline of the acts, then a scene-by-scene detailed outline.

Index cards, old-school. I like to be able to physically move things around.

Hey, Jason Keating. I outline before I write scripts. I use Microsoft Word so I can turn my outline into a treatment after I finish with a script.

If you want to write for a living, you must outline. Employers want to see step by step process. Even reps want their writers to outline spec scripts.

I use word for my outline then use writer’s duet for my script

Jason, I sure do outline!

After establishing six plot points, I use LibreOffice to type out what I call an "outline/scene list," then I go to Final Draft to type the actual script.

I believe in outlining. Here’s a terrific Stage 32 webinar on outlining before typing “Fade In” that I recommend - https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Outlining-Your-Feature-Screenplay

I second the webinar Sam shared - I handwrite out beat sheets and general ideas and then type out the outline on final draft

I'm using index cards, which I didn't think I would like, but I do.

I use white board, Workflowy, and occasionally just my phone note app.

I use index cards too. Easy to scrap and replace!

Pen and Paper

All of the above. Final draft beat boards, Notes, actual paper, whiteboard. I always feel like I have to bounce between them based on what works with my creative inspiration at the time I’m outlining.

Final draft

It's a must...if you respect your story...

Just a google doc. Character descriptions, their flaws, needs and goals and brief descriptions of each act.

I usually don't but I'm trying outlining for the first time on my current project. A script I finished before Christmas was written on MMSW, but Final Draft was or is still offering an upgrade from older licenses to Final Draft 12 for just $65, and it has outstanding outlining features.

I do two; a general plot outline with my major plot points then a more detailed beat sheet.

I use Notes on the Mac and when I'm ready to go to script, I keep Final Draft and Notes side-by-side.

I like to use flat screen TV boxes, cut out the side use the empty inside. Its big so, gives you a bit more space to add ideas and so forth.

I do outlines. I use WriterDuet

I am certainly not an expert, but I outline on a legal pad to get started. I outline because, at my age, I forget stuff. At the moment my fifth novel is underway. It is astounding how quickly I forget my place and what is going on. Then it's back to the outline and away I go. At the moment I am trying to adapt my first novel, Across the Tigris. I couldn't imagine doing that without first outlining, and then going to Final Draft. To work along with my outline, I made a stand up board from a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. I covered both sides with stick on cork squares. Then I use index cards and stick pins. When you sit down, back away, and look at what you've done, it's amazing how much it fuels the creative process. I teach college English and I use the other side to lay out my readings and lectures.

I also make outlines, I have done pen and paper as well as MS word. I have not tried using Final Draft for outlining, yet.

I use Google Slides; each slide represents an index card. That way I can rearrange them as needed. :)

I tried several well known programs. For my novel writing I used Scrivener. The problems with these programs is they come out with regular updates. Computer programmers don't think the way we do. They believe the more complex and convoluted a program is, the better it is. I have given up on Scrivener. It became, with the new upgrade, so layered, complex, and glitchy that I can't use it. I'm somewhat of a computer dinosaur, but I have no problem with Word, which I use now. I always went to the help button and downloaded the program's manual. Scrivener's new manual was 750 pages. Rediculous. Programmers live in world the rest of us never visit. The constant flow of improvements (?) produce a program that is so ponderous and complicated, that it turns in on itself. There is nothing complicated about pen and paper. And there is no users manual!