Truby's Blockbuster 5.0 software ?

Randall_Oelerich

Randall_Oelerich

Veteran
Downloading the 15 day demo version of Truby's Blockbuster 5.0 software as I type this posting. I love his book The Anatomy of Story, but not sure if I want to shell out $200 (Writer's Store) for the software ($299 retail) when perhaps simply using a word processor in outlining mode could perform the same function as the software. Will see. I will try out the software, report back. Anybody else's feedback on the software also greatly appreciated, whether you own/use the software or care to try the download demo.
~Randall
 
Okay I should have tried it out before posting. Ugh, I don't think I like the software, certainly not for $200+, maybe $49.95 would have sold me. I think pretty much everything in the software is right out of Truby's book, which I can just be outline in a word processor (or my preference in the early stages of writing which is google docs).
 
Truby's Blockbuster software does not seem to be for actually writing scenes and dialog, but more for outlining story elements (hero's goal, psychological need, opponent, hero's weaknesses, etc). Thus I think just using a word processor suffices for that, I think I will save my money, the Truby software and others like it seem way over priced for what they do.

I think I am guilty, as some other writers are, of wanting to pay for some software to write the story for me rather than just get busy outlining and planning and then writing the story; I mean geez, about a zillion great screenplays were written in the days when only paper, pencil, pen, and typewriters existed, right?

Capt Quirk said:
How does it compare to the free apps like Celtx and Cinergy?
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If you are going to pay for software for screen writing, at least buy something that everyone else uses. That would be Final Draft (my personal choice) or Movie Magic. Everyone who matters uses one of these two. You can get Final Draft 7 right now from Amazon.com for $169 which is the cheapest price I have ever found.

Otherwise, use the free software like Celtx or a word processor. Up until a couple of months ago, I was using Open Office (I refuse to use Microsoft Office) and freely available templates. But I do find that Final Draft works better than that or Celtx.
 
Actually I own and use Movie Magic 6.0 The Blockbuster 5.0 software is software to use for planning a story, prior to the actual writing of the scenes using software such as Celtx/Movie_Magic/Final Draft, etc.

KeithK said:
If you are going to pay for software for screen writing, at least buy something that everyone else uses. That would be Final Draft (my personal choice) or Movie Magic. Everyone who matters uses one of these two. You can get Final Draft 7 right now from Amazon.com for $169 which is the cheapest price I have ever found.

Otherwise, use the free software like Celtx or a word processor. Up until a couple of months ago, I was using Open Office (I refuse to use Microsoft Office) and freely available templates. But I do find that Final Draft works better than that or Celtx.
Click to expand...
 
Randall_Oelerich said:
Actually I own and use Movie Magic 6.0 The Blockbuster 5.0 software is software to use for planning a story, prior to the actual writing of the scenes using software such as Celtx/Movie_Magic/Final Draft, etc.
Click to expand...

Ah, clearly I am not familiar with the software in question. :Drogar-Dum(DBG):
 
Me neither, but it took me only about 10 minutes of playing with the free trial download to know I do not want to use it. I have been just outlining Truby's book, and will use that instead of the software when structuring a story; seems just as easy if not easier, and costs nothing.

KeithK said:
Ah, clearly I am not familiar with the software in question. :Drogar-Dum(DBG):
Click to expand...
 
I like the flash cards in FD for putting scenes and such together. Makes stuff easy and logical for me. Some people don't like them, I love them.
 
I've tested them all and have them all...

I now use Movie Outline because it does everything I need it to do under one roof... I started out using ScriptThing for Windows and graduated to everything from there.

I don't like Truby's software because it really doesn't get you writing... Rather, you become bogged down in all his emotional development -- which is okay but really is kind of advanced stuff for a newbie and an advanced writer doesn't really need it.

Use a solid structure along with solid character bios and backstory to launch your screenplay... In other words, let your structure POINT you in the right direction until your characters take over...

That's when the magic happens.

Unk
 
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