What is your favorite screenwriting software?

john threat

john threat

Carbonite Member
I currently use celtx (www.celtx.com )

I love it becaue I can jump from the script into full fledged production and they have an iPad app thst syncs up nicely that I use to write with in the field.

I used to use final draft, which is like an industry standard, but I never like it and it always looked like it got stuck in 1995 with it's features and icons. I still paid for a version that I use to open older scripts.

I haven't tried adobe story yet , especially since it doesn't work from the iPad

What do you guys use most/like?
 
Welcome to dvxuser john. I think if you do a search you will find several threads on a discussion of the best sw software. I guess you use what works best for you. I always like downloading trial versions to find out what I like best.
 
i tried final draft, didnt cut it for me, ive been using celtx since then, so good, plus with an ipad, like you've mentioned is an awesome streamlined process for a writer:) I';ve been itching to try adobe story since ive started learning CS5. We'll see!:D
 
sch15m said:
i tried final draft, didnt cut it for me, ive been using celtx since then, so good, plus with an ipad, like you've mentioned is an awesome streamlined process for a writer:) I';ve been itching to try adobe story since ive started learning CS5. We'll see!:D
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I've not tried Adobe Story as yet either. I've been working more on using Celtx to generate the 'production' documents. I hope to shoot a short in the next month, using one of my scripts, and go through creating a 'document' package.
 
I picked FD at the beginning for compatibility reasons. I like it fine, but I'm sure most others will work well too, and Celtx, being free, has a big advantage, especially if FD (or other) compatibility isn't necessary.

The only real hassles I've experienced are with folks who don't use dedicated screenwriting SW at all - like a feature I re/co/wrote that the original writer did on Word. What a PITA...
 
I've tried going over to Adobe and downloading Story, but it keeps telling me that Javascript needs to be enacted and that I need a new flash player. I downloaded the flash player and still nothing. Does anyone know how to enable Javascript (as I'm assuming that's the problem)? I'd really like to take a look at this program. Thanks!!
 
I've always used FD. Works fine for me. Are these other programs much different? I'm tempted to give some of them a world after this thread.
 
If you worked with more sophisticated tools like Story or Celtx,
FD or MovieMagic feel like 1990s word processors on Windows 3.5.
They work of course and they are sort of a "industry standard", but they seem a bit outdated in my book.

Try Story or Celtx - they are free.

Frank
 
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Chamber005 said:
I've tried going over to Adobe and downloading Story, but it keeps telling me that Javascript needs to be enacted and that I need a new flash player. I downloaded the flash player and still nothing. Does anyone know how to enable Javascript (as I'm assuming that's the problem)? I'd really like to take a look at this program. Thanks!!
Click to expand...

Enabling javascript is dependent on the browser. Search google for your browser and 'enable javascript'. The reason some people 'turn it off', is there can be some security issues with javascript being enabled, as well webpages that provide more activity, than you'd like...
 
I've been an FD user since I started writing some years back. Perhaps it's like one of those things that once you've started using it and it serves you well, you don't try anything else. I looked at the Celtx website - thing looks like a Rockstar! Wait. No, no - not just a Rockstar but a Rock Band! FD 8 is now filled with the same features as far as the writing is concerned. It even has color coding for scenes. Woot, woot.
 
im not sure i know how to write or look at source code.
right now i bang away at my happy little scripts inside of Celtx on my desktop and on my ipad
 
john threat said:
im not sure i know how to write or look at source code.
right now i bang away at my happy little scripts inside of Celtx on my desktop and on my ipad
Click to expand...

Some source code requires understanding the Hero's Journey. What's more, if your 'scriptwriting' career fails... there's always writing for 'characters' called computers...
 
Lol, this thread got weird quick.

How is story? I signed up for it but haven't used it yet. Is it all web based or can I download an actual application for offline use? Been using Celtx up until now, haven't had a problem
 
Fohdeesha said:
Lol, this thread got weird quick.

How is story? I signed up for it but haven't used it yet. Is it all web based or can I download an actual application for offline use? Been using Celtx up until now, haven't had a problem
Click to expand...

Hero's what what? Yeah it got weird... About Story... It's a web based and offline application. You have to download the offline software from the site. It's free for a year, or more...there is no announcement yet as to what it will cost to use later...it's beta at the moment.

I don't have much experience with any programs and up until now, so far I like it a lot. It formats everything for you, has an easy to use drop down menu on the right click for selecting what you are typing (scene heading, character name...etc), and has an excellent organizational layout for keeping all your notes and scripts tidy. One of the coolest features I have used in it is the ability to rearrange your script drag and drop style. There is a menu of scenes on the left and by dragging those up or down you can change the whole order of your work. You can also drag and drop text in the script itself if you want to move dialogue or whatever around. So far it's really easy...to me... I still use a notebook though, and really only come to Story when I am ready to plug in my story bits.
 
I been using Finaldraft for sometime now, since beginning I recall correctly. But for past few months I have been trying out Celtx as well. Though for my projects I do tend to stick with Final draft at the moment.
 
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