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Jan 13, 2015 at 6:40pm
#2779940
Edited: January 13, 2015 at 6:48pm
Since we're starting writing challenges with this most recently article ("Action Elements"  ), I figure this is a good time to say a few words on screenwriting software. There will be a later article down the road that goes over the program options in great detail, but screenwriting programs are specialized software that allows you to format a screenplay quickly and easily. Most of them have built-in templates that make all the margins and formatting very easy to handle, which is why most screenwriters prefer to use a standalone program rather than fussing with something like Microsoft Word. Many screenwriting programs also include a whole host of additional features (such as production integration, collaborative writing tools, etc.) that are designed to help the development and production process.If you're interested in using a program to help you format your screenwriting as you tackle these challenges and work on your own scripts, here's a quick breakdown of the most popular available options: Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter are the industry standard programs, and each one retails for around $250. I own and have used both of them extensively. There are a lot of features in these programs and, while there's something to be said for using industry-standard programs as a foundation, they're really expensive compared to the alternatives. If you're just exploring screenwriting for the first time, I'd only recommend you start with one of these programs if you've got the extra money to spend or are relatively sure that you're going to take screenwriting seriously enough to make the investment pay off. Both programs have free demo versions available: Final Draft Demo available at: http://trial.finaldraft.com/Movie Magic Screenwriter Demo available at http://www.screenplay.com/t-mmsdemo.aspxFade In Pro is a program developed by a guy I know who wanted a cheaper screenwriting program option that didn't sacrifice functionality. I own and have just started using it. The full version of Fade In is only $50, making it a much more affordable option for writers who aren't quite sure if screenwriting is for them. Fade In offers a free, fully-functioning demo (the only differences between the demo and the full paid version are that the demo prints a watermark on all printed pages, and will pop up with a registration reminder after you write 10 pages). I've just started working with this program and I'm very impressed not just with it's features and customer support, but with its integration into other programs. You can save Fade In files, for example, as Final Draft files, making a script you wrote in Fade In nearly indistinguishable from one written on the more expensive "industry standard" program. This is the option I would recommend. The trial version should be enough to practice any of our article challenges, and upgrading the the full version (if you're so inclined) won't break the bank. Fade In Pro Demo available at: http://www.fadeinpro.com/page.pl?content=downloadTrelby and Celtx. Each of these screenwriting programs is 100% free. By all accounts, they're pretty decent basic screenwriting programs and you definitely can't beat the price. I have briefly experimented with Celtx and have not tried Trelby, so I can't offer a strong recommendation or preference for either program simply based on the fact that I haven't tested their ability to integrate with other programs, their suite of advanced features, etc. But by all accounts, if you want a full, free screenwriting program, either of these should suffice. Trelby full version available at: http://www.trelby.org/downloadCeltx https://www.celtx.com/services.htmlAdobe Story is a new entry into the screenwriting software field. It's part of their Creative Cloud of products and my understanding is that they're trying to integrate it with some of their other film production programs so there are a lot of robust features they're trying to implement. I don't have any experience with this program, though, and I believe it's on a subscription basis, so those two factors combined with the fact that it's by no means a common industry program means I can't recommend it at this point. Adobe Story I'm hesitant to recommend the free programs (and Adobe Story) just because I don't have any direct experience with them, but I want to reiterate that using a screenwriting program is by no means a requirement for this group and - in most cases, especially early on - most of the article challenges will be activities that can be completed on a standard word processor. More importantly, I don't want you to think you have to spend hundreds of dollars getting an "industry standard" program if you're just experimenting with the medium or trying to decide if it's for you. There are much more affordable options out there and I'd encourage you to try the demos or buy something cheap to practice on. You can always upgrade to a more robust program later! My dream is that one day this site will have the capability to preserve the formatting of screenplay items but until then, there's no sense in making specific formatting a requirement of any challenge. This is merely information for those who might want to supplement their screenwriting experience with practice using an actual program. If anyone has any questions about the programs I have used (Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter, or Fade In), feel free to post in the forum (don't forget to tag me!) or email me and I'll be happy to help you work your way through the program. Also, if you'd like me to set up an informal "training" session where we can all experiment with a program and get familiar with it together as I walk everyone through some basic features, please indicate your interest by "liking" this post. If we get enough likes, I'll set something up!  Hope this helps! |
