Hi guys...so without getting in too much detail, the software I was using to create with took a major dump (not once, but twice!) and I lost everything I was working on (not once, but twice!). I'm researching new software options. Since screenwriting is not the thing that currently keeps the repo man at bay, I'm not looking to plunk down $200 for Final Draft. (Call me cheap. I'm used to it, lol.) Anyone use Scrivener as their go-to? Good or bad? Celtx is what crashed on me--and I can't get it back to a restore point (I tried), so the GREATEST SCREENPLAY EVER is lost to the ether. Looked at Trebly and I'm just kind of meh with it.
What is your go-to? Why do you like it? What DON'T you love about it?
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Purchase Final Draft. You'll love it.
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I've been told by more than one producer, "Send it to me in Final Draft format." It's good software. Get it and you'll have one less thing to worry about.
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Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter are definitely the go-tos for screenplays. Scrivener can generate a PDF, but once you get to sending revision-marked copies back and forth, it's not going to work.
That being said, if you're looking for something to write on initially, then Scrivener is fabulous software. I've never used it for screenplays, but I know that it does have the features to easily do the basics.
I've used it for years to:
Write all my books
Organize my story and series bibles
Write/organize the workshops I give
Write/organize the articles I write and my newsletters
Even organize my family's "Key Info" notebook
And more.
So I have no complaints about it as a software at all (and it autosaves!). But it's not my go-to for screenplays.
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You are not the only one this has happened to.
I think if you look around you can find FD for $129 - If you can get an education discount.
OK, ya'll just about have me convinced. (and you are awesome by the way). ::breaks out credit card and breaks INTO a cold sweat:: "Let's make you cry tonight, baby."
I use Celtx. They are personal and helpful with my questions and for ~$10 a month reasonable for my budget.
The same thing happened to me a while back so I went with WritersDuet. Its free (has a pay option) and easier to use than Celtx. It even imports and exports files from both Celtx and Final Draft.
Although I have no experience with these, I've heard about people using Trelby, Scrivener and Fade In. Any of these tools can do the job if you're on a budget.
I eventually got FD but I only use it to polish and finish first drafts because I write on the go or while i'm at lunch at work. So having web based software that I can use anywhere is critical to my creativity. That is the main downside of FD (for me), you have to buy a copy for each PC and you can't using it on a tablet.
Cheryl Allen If you haven't bought FD yet and you're a Macbook/iMac user Highland is nice.
Anthony Moore If you're a Mac user Highland is a nice "stream of conscious" type tool. Free but watermarks until you pay $50. Worth a try.