hello friends. this may seem like a redundant question, but I want to know when screenwriters are writing the script, do they use a special program? or do they use a regular word processor? also, if using a word processor is one of the options, is there some special technique so we won't have to re-write the names everytime the character says something? I have a great idea for a script and it will be my first.
thanks
charlie
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I write on paper myself. If your trying to be creative the last thing you want to worry about is formatting.
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I use that MovieMagic Screenwriter program because it's easier for me to just type something than it is to write it long hand (and has the advantage of being legible, as well), so I figure I might as well use a program that's easy to get the thing formatted.
Of course, I do just type in the name every time that character speaks. It's the easiest way for me to do it.
A lot of the professionals use a program called Final Draft. It's a good program with one or two minor glitches but all in all it's pretty good. It predicts who is going to speak next and 'types' their name for you as well as predicting the formatting for you. It also comes with a number of sample scripts from different TV shows.
But to write a script a fancy expensive program is not necessary at all. A lot of the best script writers are computer illiterate. Quentin Tarantino likes to write on legal pads in pencil as he can't type.
Thanks a lot for the reply. I'll check out Final Draft.
The only star in a hellen larson show is hellen larson and that's me! remember?!
The only star in a helen lawson show is helen lawson and that's me! remember?!
quote:
I write on paper myself. If your trying to be creative the last thing you want to worry about is formatting.
That's precisely why I use Final Draft: no need to worry about formatting as the program takes care of most of that for you. Before that I used to type scripts at home as straight text and then load it into Word at work for a final formatting with a free macro package I downloaded, and the effort required to do that was easily worth the cost of buying Final Draft.
quote:
Quentin Tarantino likes to write on legal pads in pencil as he can't type.
Or spell, apparently. Of course it's a lot easier when you're just ripping off the best parts of other people's movies.
i used scriptmaker for my script. which is a free downloadable program. it worked fine.
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I cannot seem to locate the free Scriptmaker program mentioned here. There are lots of programs called Scriptmaker but they aren't for screenplay formatting.
Can anyone provide a URL?
When I write a script, I write as to what I can read best. I do not plan to sell my script, for i shoot my own films. So i just do it on whatever program comes with my computer, put in a 12 font, courier new, and type. I know I don't do it perfectly, but I don't care. I can read it, and that's all that matters to me.
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If you're on a tight budget try Sophocles ( http://www.sophocles.net). They still have a full blown trial version.
It's very, very easy to learn (less than 15 minutes to master the essentials). And it is very "clean" and actually makes writing a joy for me. I especially love the way you get a total time length approximation at any point.
It's free to try and you can continue free until you're ready to print... by which time, I'm sure you'll pay the modest fee.
Other than that, there are some freebie Microsoft Word macros floating around the web.
Or you could always go pen and paper. ?:p?
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I write on Microsoft Word but I would really like to get my hands on a copy of Final Draft or one of those programs.
i use final draft, dload it off kazaa or limewire or some downloading programiing thing. Final Draft is the way to go.
Fantastic Firsts, Sloppy Seconds, Tickilish Thirds, Filthy Fourths, Fouling Fifths, Slippity Slappy Sixths, and the Seventh person scrapes her off the mattrass
Fantastic Firsts, Sloppy Seconds, Tickilish Thirds, Filthy Fourths, Fouling Fifths, Slippity Slappy Sixths, and the Seventh person scrapes her off the mattrass
Um, you might not want to be advocating software piracy on a public forum.
However, on a related front, it may be worth pointing out that Final Draft 7 has, without mentioning it on their web site as far as I can see, removed the option to run with the CD in the drive for authentication and now requires silly activation nonsense in order to run. So if you are thinking of buying it as an upgrade you might want to stick with Final Draft 6 instead, to avoid problems if your hard drive crashes, or you forget to deactivate it if you reinstall Windows, or if Final Draft should go bankrupt one day. I wouldn't have bought it if I'd known that beforehand, I absolutely hate this 'activation' nonsense in software that I've paid good money for.
I use Microsfot Word and just keep changing the margin's etc. I'm fine with it. (1 in. from left and right of paper for EXT/INT scene descriptions, 2in. from left and right for lines, 2 in. then centered for character speakin the lines.)
I just got Final Draft 6. So much easier and quicker than Microsoft Word.
