Screenwriting : Screenwriting software by Rickardo Beckles-Burrowes

Hey Rickardo, there's been a lot of previous threads about this topic. Perhaps do a general search in the Lounge -- just type in your subject in the search bar and all related threads will be listed. I hope that helps. :) Personally, I purchased Final Draft and I'm very happy with it.

Hi Beth, Thanks for the feedback. I'll check out the other threads as well. What were you using before you had Final Draft?

I have a great workflow using an iPad with Celtx Cards and Celtx Scripts and sync them through the website.

Hi Craig, Thanks for your comment. Are you using the free or paid for version of Celtx?

An old free account that was created from Mac software. I use the account as a cloud backup. Plus I email a pdf out of the app to my gmail. So I am pretty safe crash wise.

I am currently using Trelby as I found Celtx wouldn't let me put separate acts onto separate pages when writing tv pilots. While Trelby is perfect in almost every way, it doesn't allow you to underline and bold which sucks. I also had a version of Movie Magic which was perfect, just the pages were smaller than all other writing programs which kind of impeded my sense of how long a script really was. But yeah, these are my experiences thus far.

I use the Celtx paid. I like it. It does everything I need and it is what I started with.

@Rickardo. I've only used Final Draft -- from the very beginning. :)

In the beginning.... I used a legal pad and a pen. Weird, I know! I actually still do that occasionally, it is strangely satisfying. The bulk of my work is done on Final Draft - it's the only program I've used because it has everything I need. Plus they have beyond excellent customer service. Another program I like, that enhances any writing, is MasterWriter. I am OCD about not reusing the same word, so if I get stuck I check MW and they have any and all syns, ants, etc right there.

Thanks Craig for following up.

Hi Sonibel, I've never heard of Trelby, so I'll check it out, thanks.

Hi Sam, Thanks for initial comment. What are the pros and cons of using Fade In for you?

Hi John, Thanks for your comment. How much more functionality do you use with the paid version of Celtx versus the free option?

Thanks Beth.

Hi Victoria, I've never heard of MasterWriter either, so thanks for your feedback - I'll check that out too. And what are the pros and cons of using Final Draft for you?

Hello Rickardo: If you watched the Emmy's last week, you'll note the first thing Amy Schumer did when she got up to collect her award, was to say she and her team all bought FD software when their show was picked up by Comedy Central. All serious industry scriptwriters use it. I like it because it has the "Assign Voices" tool, which allows me to hear my script read aloud. This feature has really helped me with the problem of omitted words and awkward dialogue or narrative. For that feature alone, it's worth having. However, Celtx and Movie Magic will do a fine job formatting your script.

If you want to work in LA, get FD. It's a good tool for the job. Not great - but definitely good. I used MM Screenwriter (6.0 latest) for several years and, if I could choose, would stay with it because to me it was more intuitive while in the flow of writing. But I've gotten used to FD9. It's one of those "just the way it is" sort of things. Don't fight city hall. Just write and sell your scripts.

I've had many people on the inside tell me that if the writing and the story are great they don't care what it's written on, or if there is a small formatting issue, or if you used a slug wrong. Go for the great story and don't get hung up on technicalities and other little stuff that takes up your time.

Hi Philip, What are the pros and cons of using Final Draft for you?

Thanks Anthony.

Thanks Victoria.

Thanks for following Sam, appreciate it.

I prefer Trelby compared to Celtx. As far as the user interface goes, Trelby is perfect for dark-background coders like me (Celtx and most programs in general force you to use white backgrounds whereas Trelby is customizable). One trivial annoyance with Trelby is that character reports treat V.O. and O.S. as separate characters (it doesn't parse the names).

Thanks for the additional comment Sam ;-)

I hear good things re Fade In, and 20% of price of FD

I started using WriterDuet a few months ago because it was created by a writer and the features sounded amazing. It has a free version but I loved it so much I bought the paid version, even though I'd recently upgraded my FD. Plus it's about 1/4 the price of FD. It does a lot that you don't see in other screenwriting programs. And you can save in multiple formats (including FD, pdf, fountain etc.).

Thanks Aray, Laura and Anthony for your comments.

Thanks Dawn. I'll check WriterDuet out.

I've used Final Draft from the beginning. It's really the only program I know and it works for me. I have tried WriterDuet and liked it, but FD is like an old friend at this point.

Hi Paul, What are the pros and cons of Final Draft for you?