Screenwriting : What kind of screenwriting software you use? by Raymond Zachariasse

I've only ever used Final Draft, as it tends to be the standard program for the industry.

I've heard celtix is good and I think quite a few people here use it.

Thanks. I will check it out. I know my teacher came up with Celtx because well it's free, but I want a good program for a reasonable price if I'll proceed. Free version have their limitations ofcourse. I do like the online feature since I work on my laptop and my PC.

If the only reason it was chosen is that it's free, then go for something like WriterDuet instead.

I have lots of software on my machine because I do proofreading and editing for clients but to be honest with you, if a client is using Celtx or FadeIn then I'll convert the file to Final Draft to do my work then convert it back before I give it back to the client. I dislike Celtx the most for several reasons with one of them being that it screws up the page count. Celtx can add 5 or so pages to a feature-length script and that's not good.

To answer your question, in my opinion, FD is the easiest and the best but there will be writers who will argue against that, and no, I think you're wrong to assume that most people used Word when they started writing scripts. I went straight to FD because Word is not a suitable tool for screenplays, it's not designed for that format.

Final Draft 9

Yeah I'm with Pierre Langenegger in regards to using Word. It's a horribly clunky way to try to write a script, especially when you're first learning. It's hard enough to learn how to write a screenplay without the added headache of formatting a script in a Word document.

Final Draft isn't cheap but it's very easy to use and tends to be the default choice for most industry execs.

Bought Final Draft at a greatly reduced price on Ebay years ago and have never looked back.

I've used final draft for 10 years and love it.

If you break in you'll probably need to use Final Draft so might as well get used to using it before you break if you haven't broken in already.

Used to use Screenwriter. Have Final Draft as well.

Pierre, I agree on the Word part though, but I started out like that because I'm a author of books. I am also a publisher. so Word is more like my comfort zone, so I can image everyone starts out like that. Now I'm learning the differences between all the programs, so thanks for that. Celtx I use because it's an aqcuirement for the course I'm following, but I also want to have something permanent. Yesterday I started in FadeIn. Just to test. So far it looks great. I also saw there's a FD export, so that comes in handy when my screenplays are in high demand :)

I just started using writerduet online. It's free and has everything I need (plus everything is stored automatically in the cloud) plus it's easy to download the pdf.

Movie Magic is my anchor. Also have and am proficient in: Final Draft, Fade In, Celtx, Writers Duet.

If you're looking for a good FREE screenwriting platform, TRELBY is the best on the market. In fact, I've tried other software including paid versions and I still go back to Trelby. You can find it here. www.trelby.org

I use SLUGLINE, I love it and recommend it whenever I can. Producers and coverage writers want a clean PDF, they honestly don't care what software you use as long as the format is correct.

If/Once a project goes into development, it will be pushed into Final Draft, but that transition is quite easy and can come well after the sale.

Nobody in the real world cares - just get it done right. Do you ask what brand of tools the mechanic uses to fix your car?

I use final draft 7. I think when they release 11 I'll finally upgrade.

I am using both Celtx and Final Draft 10. Celtx has a clean easy to use interface while Final draft still looks like it did when it was first developed. Both give you a great end product in pdf. I would compare several different products and go with the one that matches your needs best and has the tools you like to work with most.

Doug, you are probably right, but there are many tools to fix a car, so it never hurts to know what's out there.

'Raymond. Doug is right nobody cares if you are writing spec screenplays. I love Movie Magic but I switched to Final Draft because I was forced to do so. I like both but if I was just starting out I would go with a free one to make sure I really wanted to stick with this or not.

Final Draft or bust.

Thanks. A lot to choose from :)

I dont care about software brand, but my laptop does affect my public confidence. I use a Microsoft surface and Pros generally use Macs.

Good question with lots of good responses, Raymond. Just to confirm your assumption: I, too, write books and feel very comfortable in Word. I downloaded CeltX but very quickly moved back to the comfort of Word (rather than, what looked like, a huge learning curve with CeltX).

Same here Wayne. I even had the same with Scrivener. I still don't understand how it works :)

Raymond, I have put CeltX on my computer (again) and I am now formatting my screenplay. I am finding the learning curve a little easier this time around. :)

Final Draft is reliable. 10/10 recommend.

Hi Wayne, I don't think Celtx is supported anymore (the free version). I also have a copy but don't use it. Some things it doesn't format correctly. And it's a pain to transfer to other software like Final Draft.

Celtx is great. I have used for 7+ years now. I even upgraded to the paid version (which is something I don't do...I am cheap), the free version is no longer supported but it works great. Yes, I still use both. My order of preference:

Celtx

Celtx free

Final Draft

The rest

For me, the paid version of Celtx had an upside that I could not go without. If you know how to create a budget, it is the best. I have used the other budget programs as well...they all had problems.

Celtx is not much different than Final Draft, when I stopped using FD many years back it was glitchy. Celtx has never let me down.

The only downside to not using Final Draft is dealing with a decision maker that doesn't know how to open a pdf.

Someone mentioned Celtx doesn't format some things correctly, that is user error in most cases. All of my sales came while using Celtx, the software comes down to what you like. Our views are just opinions and like assholes, some will stink, Lol.

I've been using Fade In for a few years. I like it. Very reasonably priced, works fine and they do updates. Can create PDF's for your scripts, import from other programs. Check it out see what you think.

I've recently discovered Amazon Storywriter and I enjoy it a lot. Celtx disappointed me with all the new regulations to its free version. I miss when it was downloadable software.

So far I've used Celtx and Fade In. So thanks for all the suggestions. As said I need to use Celtx because of my instructor and because it's free, but I will use some more programs to see which one fits me best. In the end it's all about what I'm writing and not the tools I\m using. However, I do like my tools :)

There really is no such thing as the best program. There is no difference industry wise between any of them. I do suggest learning how to format your work the old-fashioned way. Learn all the margins. Use 12 point Courier font. The script is all that matters and I know people who wrote rough drafts on bar napkins...and sold the story. Just write, don't worry about this bullshit.

Celtx is excellent. I'm sure there are others that are also just as good. But, I've used Celtx for several years now to write a diverse range of stage plays and screenplays, so it's what I'm comfortable with and I can access it anytime on any computer or device. Good luck and enjoy your writing whatever you decide to use. :-)

Thanks Ray. I know that. The story and the format is what counts, but as a novel writer I do need some guidance.

Thanks George, I will. At the moment I'm writing a new novel, two children's books, illustrating a new picture book, working on script three for the animation series Coral World and starting with a new series idea. So my hands are indeed full :)

I love Final Draft...

Fade In is also great. I've used Celtx for preproduction (breakdowns, schedules, call sheets) but I didn't like it for writing. That's just me though. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about it.

My experience is the text of a celtx PDF looks "light" vs. Final Draft (darker) on a computer screen.

Raymond, Celtx even allows users to write novels in it. Just write every day!

Ray, I do write everyday. I also write paid facts articles :) Today one about The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I still need to do one about Friends.

Fade In. No complaints.

Raymond. If you are getting paid to write that means you can afford a good software program so why wouldn't you just go out and buy Final Draft. If you break in and work with other people in the industry you'll probably have to buy final draft anyway.

True Dan. But I'm writing novels and well also tabloid stuff, so a script is totally different. I needed to know what's out there. I want to start small before I'm moving on. So I did buy Fade In. At the moment I'm making the Coral World ehrm... world bigger.

If you don't want to spend money you might as well go with Celtix or one of the other free ones. If and when you are are ready to spend money then you should go with Final Draft because that is what almost everyone in the people use in the industry use. I know I wasted money on Movie Magic which I happen to love because it is so user friendly and when I started working with different producers, directors and screenwriters I had to switch to Final Draft.

Right. Unless you break in, software is expensive. I also looked at ZBrush. While I can pay 800 bucks, I rather be paying my rent at the monent :) Fade In is only 80 bucks and it has more features then the free edition of Celtx. Celtx I will however use for my course. The teacher wants that :)

Thanks Laura. That is the second reason why I bought Fade In :)