guys I wrote my first screenplay in a Microsoft word. everything is formatted correctly but the dialog. The problem is I can't center it like standard dialog. If I try and do that then everything will be centered but I just want the dialog to be centered not the scene description or parentheticals. I've tried to ask AI to fix it but its running a muck and messing everything up. Anyone have any tips on what I can do? Anything quick? Will I have to do it the long way and do each line of dialog individually? I attached a photo showcasing my problem.
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Idk how to do that in word, but Trelby is free software that'll take care of formatting. There are a few other types of free screenwriting software to choose from.
https://trelby.org/download/
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Hey, Nakoa Cabatbat. I suggest getting screenwriting software. Check out this blog called "Screenwriting Software To Use If You Can't Afford Final Draft": www.stage32.com/blog/screenwriting-software-to-use-if-you-cant-afford-fi...
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I feel like any screenwriting software will work. Personally, I use Celtx and it's pretty affordable.
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You are getting some solid advice from those who commented and according to what you described in your post, that would be your only option and a smart choice. Screenwriting is difficult enough. Release yourself from the formatting complications, take advice from your peers so you can focus on the most complicated aspect which is developing your story and finishing your script.
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David Schwartz my problem is still the same. Its converting the wrong things. Like scene descriptions to dialog.
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You might have to go through your script in the screenwriting software, Nakoa Cabatbat, manually changing the action lines to dialogue and so on.
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hey Nakoa Cabatbat - good move and congrats on moving away from WordDocs to a screenwriting software. I think Maurice Vaughan may be right, if Celtx doesn't recognize any tagging in Word.
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Thank you all for the advice. I guess this is the time I get my hands dirty and do it myself. It will be really unfun and annoying but it will be worth it thanks guys.
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You're welcome, Nakoa Cabatbat.
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Nakoa Cabatbat I hear you, I also have a rough time with repetitive tasks, which this can very well be. there may be one way to make it less annoying though: maybe you could also use having to go through it as another pass at checking dialogue, rhythm, pacing, description wording - will be a slower process but you may get more out of the time you're gonna spend doing this script transfer. :)
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writersolo.com is free. You can import the Word doc in.
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You download a screenwriting app like Celtx or Writerduet. I particularly use Celtx.
And it's really nice to meet you
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Its completely fine write in word. My advice would be to not format anything and save it as a txt file. that way it'll easily port into fade in/fade out or final draft and most of it should snap pretty much into place.
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I started off writing in Word but as I became professional I moved to Fade In which has a one off fee and after that is free for updates, etc. I love this software because it is easy to use and has some cool features like collaborating with your partners. I think I paid around 70-80 USD for it at the time.
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I would disagree with a .TXT file.
Don't know about Fade In, but Final Draft directly imports Word RTF files. It will maintain the formatting in the transfer.
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I would recommend Celtx myself, I use that. For unlimited use it's $250 a year or $24.99 a month. That way you can export to PDF and have people read it and it automatically formats correctly so there is no worrying about word.
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E Langley really? I use Fade in and had so much trouble with rtf files. Txt files work better with fade in. I guess it'll just depend on your software then.
Thanks for the info! I'll keep it in mind if I ever decide to upgrade.
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Get on Writer Duet -- it's a free online screenwriting software for writers! Very easy and intuitive to use!
Nothing in that picture is formatted correctly..
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Final Draft is a great screenwriting program. I've been using it for years and it seems to be the most simplistic one to learn. the program for laptops is a a bit pricey, but you can get a 30 free- trial before you order it. Also, if you have a phone or I-Pad Final Draft program is only 10.00 for the whole year which is excellent. Many entertainment companies these days prefer Final Draft.
Travis Seppala Well that's not true and I fixed it so nice try...
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@Nakoa -- in the pic:
1) your page is black with white font.
2) your character names are highlighted.
3) all your dialogue is justified left like your action/description.
4) your action/description lines are in parenthesis.
5) you have character names in ALL CAPS in action/description lines past their initial introductions.
6) you don't have proper spacing after ellipses.
Literally all of that is incorrect formatting. So not sure what your "so nice try" is supposed to mean, but i stand by my statement.
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In screenwriting programs the characters names are always capitalized before their dialogue.
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@Mone't correct, but in the pic he has their names capped each time they're mentioned in action/description... Which is what i said is incorrect there.