Screenwriting : Screenwriting Programs by Matthew D Rhodes

Fade In is about $80. Imports/exports FD files almost accurate on page...but if you're going into production, buy the same platform for scheduling.

FD is still the most used script software.

I've seen FD sell for $149 with student/teacher discounts.

Dan MaxXx FD is fine and dandy but when you live on a fixed income and are having to crowdfund it's not easily accessible. Fade In would be more feasible if I could save up for it but for what I'm trying to accomplish FD would be preferable. Currently, I have a GoFundMe campaign going for concept artists and I don't think we'll use all the funds we're requesting so I may be able to get FD and rewrite all 12 episodes of our series' first season.

Matthew D Rhodes personally I use studio binder. They have flexible plans that are fairly inexpensive and the software provides a lot given what you pay for. It's an online software. The only real downside is that they use scene numbers in the scene headings (which is more for a shooting script), but most readers glance past that as it's more the story that they focus on. Everything is formatted to industry standards and it's easy to use.

Marvin Younathin is it a program or is it web-based?

I use Final Draft 12, Matthew D Rhodes. WriterDuet is a great screenwriting program. You can write your first three scripts for free, but it costs $9.99 per month to write more scripts. The free version is web-based, but you can download an app with the $9.99 per month version and write scripts offline. https://www.writerduet.com/pricing

Matthew D Rhodes You might have to wait till July 4th for another special for Final Draft as they had a special for Memorial day and the price was $149. I think the next special will most likely be July 4th. I use a web-based program from the Hollywood Camera Work called CAUSALITY it is really cool as the program lets me create whiteboards and index cards for scenes and I can write numerous episodes with the program. The cost is only $7.99 a month. I do not believe there is an industry-standard as screenwriters use different programs based on their needs. https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com/

I currently use WriterDuet for the reasons Maurice mentioned above. It's free, which is great when you're on a budget and three scripts was more than enough for me when I started. I've since upgraded rather than switch to Final Draft simply because I'm so used to it at this point.

Matthew D Rhodes it is web-based. Here is a link: https://www.studiobinder.com

I'm in the WriterDuet army because I use a Chromebook, which is incompatible with Final Draft.

I'm checking out these websites but one thing is I'm having to rewrite 12 different scripts and I figured it'd be easier to make a one-time payment instead of paying monthly for something. I like the idea of being able to download an app to work offline but I should explain my situation.

When I say I'm on a fixed income it's from the fact that I live on what's called SSDI or Disability. The money I receive from the government is only enough to pay my bills with nothing for me to really use afterward and I'm trying to build my company as a business. I'm having to crowdfund with the help of someone else just so I don't lose my benefits too soon. So paying monthly for something isn't in the cards and buying another screenwriting program is a little ways off without getting help from people interested in helping finance our project.

I won't elaborate further for now but suffice to say I'm limited in my means without outside help.

At age 66, in an LA rehab center for 17 months with Social Security my only means of income, welcome to the club.

Pull the trigger. If you're going to be a standard in the industry you should use the industry standard. I am still using FD10 and I won mine in a script writing contest using Writers Duet. So look for a miracle but set it as your standard.

You 100% don't need Final Draft. Don't spend money you don't have, my dude.

Here's a list of alternatives including some free options.

I use Scrivener, which is also good for writing novels. $50. It reads and saves in Final Draft format.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlF2CZsFfqU

Use Final Draft 12 and love it. Does have some quirks, though

Matthew D Rhodes A red flag popped up when you said you have to re-write 12 scripts and my question to you have you sold the series you are writing, have you pitched the series you are writing? If you have not even started to pitch the series to get a producer on board why are you writing them, as when the series sells you will get paid to do the writing, you are working from the wrong way - you write the pilot then sell the series or find a producer then everything falls into place. Of course, you might not have known this until now. Best of Luck!!!

Arc Studio was very easy to use. Disclaimer: it is the ONLY writing software I've used. However, as a technologist by trade, the interface, tools and ability to just write. . .I give Arc Studio my vote.

I use FD 12, but I've in & around the Industry since the '60s -it go on sale every-so-often. There are many other script formatting programs readily available from prices ranging up from free. Each has its peculiarities and limitations, but they all do pretty much the same thing - format scripts.

Amazing Kacee I'm producing the series myself. I started my own animation studio and plan on making this myself. I wrote the original book the scripts are based on >> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097S2QHQ3. I have a pitch book done for it, but I'm not sure about the financial section itself, and I intend to make the whole thing with people I'm looking to help. We're crowdfunding the first episode to make and show around to film festivals hoping to get picked up. if not we'll crowdfund the rest of the series and just put it on youtube. I'm making this one way or another.

Matthew D Rhodes Yes I saw your book on Amazon and the other post about IMDB which I also responded to. The question for you to answer is if you eventually want to sell the series after you make it yourself, why not get an executive or producer on board now to help produce it rather than doing all the work yourself? I really liked the cover of your book! Best!

Amazing Kacee I would love to do that but I'm still new to this how would I do it?

Matthew students and education employees get 50% discount on Final Draft, if that's of any use to you. I was still teaching when I purchased my first version and it really helped.

Sorry, the @ is not working for me right now but @Cara Rogers I'm neither a student nor a teacher. sadly

I'm going to use a free service to rewrite the pilot episode to get it ready for a proper pitch meeting. though I'm still new to all this so finding someone who can teach me how to pitch would be a great help.

I’ve heard Celtx is very good- lots of automated time saving features. I use Final Draft and have also used Movie Magic in the past.

@Colette "ByFilms" Byfield. Since I'm just rewriting the Pilot I decided to give WriterDuet a try. I eventually need to rewrite 12 episodes but the Pilot seems to be the more important one right now.

I am solidly in the writerduet camp. Mostly because I like their IOS apps. I write mostly on an iPad.

But if someone has no money and wants to give screenwriting a try. They can just use a text editor and cut and paste it into screenwriting software once they are sure they like writing. The screenwriting software will instantly formatting it in most cases. Here is a video showing that.

https://youtu.be/TnMq21nh_3w

@Craig D Griffiths Believe it or not but I love to write. I'm working with the new script on one side of my screen with the original on the other and I'm rewriting it the long way. I'm making edits as I go and I look forward to the final version.

Matthew D Rhodes If you click on the link under script services there are all script services and education on this platform to take advantage of in addition if you email Jason Mirch JMirch@stage32.com who oversees script services he might be able to tell you who the best option of who to pitch to or you can simply do the research online. Best.

Amazing Kacee Doesn't that all cost money?

I've been using Final Draft for about fifteen years. I like it and I'm used to it. I know it's expensive, though. I've used Celtx as well. It's not as intuitive as Final Draft, but if you're on a budget, it can work. I've worked with Writer Duet, and it works as well.

You can use FD or Fade In for free, but both programs leave watermarked pages when you print/make PDF files.

@MatthewParvin, I appreciate that comparison. I’ve never understood why Final Draft is the “industry standard” if there are so many other writing programs with similar capabilities.

Back in the 1980s, there was FD and some brand I dont remember for Windows. FD won the Script software because FD, when it was developed, only worked with Apple computers, and a lot creators/artists preferred Macs over Windows, due to better graphics.

Dan MaxXx , that is very interesting! Thanks for the tidbits. Actually, that would make a great movie, lol.

Highland is really intuitive and free to use (with a watermark but that's not an issue surely?) Not free is ArcStudioPro but it's great if you are creating whole series with beat sheets for different episodes. It's not perfect but does the job.

Do you use Microsoft Word? You download a free template. link: https://templates.office.com/en-us/write-a-screenplay-tm89618973

I started on WD and changed to Final Draft. So much better. I constantly hear that it's the industry standard. I've enjoyed mentoring from two producers and both used it.

I plan on saving up for FD after my vacation next month. for now, I'm using WD as it works but is limited to how many scripts I can write. So far it will only be my pilot script and a feature script I've had an idea for but never put to paper just yet.