Screenwriting : Scrivener for screenplays: Yes or no? by Sallie Olson

sorry I can’t be helpful on this. I do have Scrivener and somehow glossed over it helps with screenwriting. I’ll check it next time I get on my computer. thank you for the information. I was today years old when I learned about this

I use Final Draft.

I use Fade In I bought it because it was cheaper and now I stick with it because I’m familiar with it. I looked at Scrivener and my quick tour looks like it has everything you need. It also compiles it into a pdf and Final Draft doc. I say go for it.

I use Final Draft.

Rick Wheeler Oh! I didn't notice the Final Draft doc! Thanks for pointing that out!

What I like most about Final Draft, is that I can continue to upgrade, and insane have to pay the original cost for it. Also, as a beginning screenwriter, I am grateful for the way it formats a script, as well as the commands that are provided for scenes.

I’m writing a new script as we speak.

I think any software with a screenplay template will work, Sallie Olson, so I'm sure Scrivener will work for you. It comes down to how the software fits into your personal workflow and writing habits.

Here's a couple comparative reviews:

https://freshmenscreenplay.com/final-draft-vs-scrivener-comparison/

https://floridawriters.blog/scrivener-vs-final-draft-choosing-the-one-th...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woYr2QgLe5w

I love scrivener. I'll do unpaid endorsements for it all day. The template is spot on. And you can import/ export in fdx... Until the day someone demands I type in FinalD, I really can't see any cons.

I've been using Scrivener and shouting from the roof tops about it for over ten years now. It's an amazing bit of software written by writers for writers

When I broke in, I was sharing pdfs generated straight out of it. They weren't 100% the same as Final Draft but they were 99.9% there.

I didn't get a copy of Final Draft until I got my first professional assignment, and all I do with that is export/import from Scrivener so I can share it and make changes with my collaborators.

Final Draft isn't really popular these days because it's a great piece of writing software, it's popular because the format plugs into a lot of other stuff producers need to use - such as budgeting and scheduling programs.

Anyway, here's a blog you might want to read on the subject; 3 Alternatives to Final Draft Every Screenwriter Should Have On Their Radar

Screenplay software is over-hyped. Once you have a good template for MS-Word with styles activated by hotkey, you need no other software.

Celtx is my jam.

THANK YOU EVERYONE for the input and the links! This is all very helpful!!!

I also use Fade In because I got a good deal on it. I love it more than I enjoyed using Scrivener. If you have Apple, Scrivener is great but on PC it loses a lot of it's luster (at least that was my experience).

Use whatever; they all do the same for writing spec screenplays.

And if there is $ on the table and the production/bosses in charge cant afford screenplay software, the production is doomed.

I read more scripts that I write and as long as they are formatted correctly I would never know the software used. Sort of like when I watch shows I don't know if they are cut on Avid or Premiere. All that to say, use what you feel comfortable with and you'll do great IMHO.

I'm loving all these different perspectives! Thank you, everyone! I've been using Scrivener for writing novels and short stories for years, so I'm already familiar with it (although I don't use ALL of it's features...lol). I've printed out the instruction page for the screenplay format so I can get familiar with how it works. I think I'll start there and look at buying Final Draft or similar, later...WHEN I sell a screenplay. (See what I did there? Positive visualization...haha!)