Screenwriting software
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Screenwriting software programs are aimed at screenwriters and sometimes novelists to help brainstorm ideas, structure plots and format text. The cost of such programs can range from free to $289.00.
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[edit] Blockbuster
Blockbuster takes the form of an outline with fill-in-the-blanks questions that examine a potential idea from a number of angles. It applies John Truby's theories on screenwriting - specifically the “22-Steps” and the “Moral Line”.
[edit] Celtx
Celtx is an open source Mozilla-based screenwriting and pre-production tool. It is designed for collaboration over the internet, and allows for breakdowns to be created, making production easier. Celtx auto formats screenplays using a "tab-enter" system.
In its latest incarnation, the software includes scheduling, character development tools, customized production reports, web research tools, a plain-text editor for treatments and outlines, and a "scratchpad".
Celtx is licensed under the Celtx Public License, a variant of the Mozilla Public License.
[edit] Dramatica
Dramatica follows Melanie Phillip's theory of “Storymind” and the “Grand Argument Story”. It is a more complex piece of software than Blockbuster, but it has rules than can sometimes appear a little rigid.
Dramatica is developed by the same parent company as Movie Magic Screenwriter, and therefore boasts of being 100% exportable to Movie Magic Screenwriter (“Just add dialogue!”).
[edit] DreamaScript
DreamaScript Screenwriting Software has been developed by IBM partners and a number of leading film schools. An all in one tool aimed at professional and new writers; which equips the writer with in depth know-how to write and sell a screenplay. The interactive tool guides the writer through story development, formatting, selling and marketing a screenplay. The completeness of the product is down to packaging all the tools required by a writer into one tool, this includes: automatic formatting, interative help, examples from successful movies, step by step guides, free screenplay reviews, free screenplay copyright, scene re-arranging, character and dialog development tools, marketing and selling tools.
[edit] Final Draft
Final Draft is the most widely used - though not exclusive - screenplay formatting software. In effect it is like any other word processing program but specifically geared towards the needs of a professional screenwriter. Formatting of text is automatic, and most industry standard formats are included. There are also templates for popular television shows such as E.R. and Alias. The program allows a screenwriter to view his script as index cards or as an outline and re-arrange their order.
For professional screenwriters Final Draft can automatically number scenes, create revision pages and produce statistical breakdowns of the screenplay's for budgeting and scheduling purposes.
[edit] Montage
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The only screenwriting software exclusively developed for Mac OS X. Melding the theory that a simple user interface, combined with powerful and intuitive features, provide the best writing experience, Montage makes it easy to create, edit, and manage screenplays on your Macintosh. From the ability to import Final Draft documents, to using custom, pre-formatted templates for film, TV, radio, and theater, Montage guides both the first time screenwriter or the seasoned veteran, from start to finish.
[edit] Movie Magic Screenwriter
Movie Magic Screenwriter is the second most widely used program in Hollywood. Advocates of the software claim it has many more features than its rival, is easier to use and has fewer bugs. Both programs offer testimonials from well-known screenwriters on which formatter they prefer.
Movie Magic Screenwriter is also the official screenwriting program of Project Greenlight.
[edit] Practical Scriptwriter
Practical Scriptwriter is a standalone scriptwriting and formatting application developed in conjunction with professional writers and education to remove the burden of script formatting and allow writers to concentrate on writing.
Start writing without any knowledge of script formats, or even which media your work is destined for. Script formats for Movies, TV, Stage and Radio are supported.
As the writing process involves much rewriting and editing, Practical Scriptwriter makes changing a script easy, with no need to think about 'breaking' the formatting.
Additional features include: Script Notes, Character Notes, Story Arc generator, importing characters and scripts, exporting to RTF, PDF and HTML.
[edit] Screenwriting with TextMate
Screenwriting bundle for TextMate is a free plugin for the Mac OS X text editor TextMate. It helps you to format a plain-text document so that it can be converted or exported to other applications or other formats (like pdf and xhtml) in the industry standard screenplay format.
[edit] Sophocles
Sophocles is a software program that emphasizes the writing process. It was conceptualized from the start as a story creation tool for screenwriters. By allowing the users to easily navigate and manipulate their story elements, Sophocles claims that it helps them "craft a tighter, smoother flowing screenplay".
[edit] StoryView and Power Structure
StoryView and Power Structure are outlining programs that allow writer's to create acts, sequences, scenes and beats and then rearrange them for maximum dramatic effect. The theory behind the software is fairly basic, though they can be useful in creating outlines prior to writing the first draft.
[edit] Other software
Although not aimed specifically at screenwriters, the following may be useful in helping to planning scripts:
Inspiration - Education-oriented program that creates outlines, flowcharts and Venn diagrams.
OmniOutliner - Outlining software for Apple Macintosh.
Pyramid - Quickly creates flow charts
RoughDraft - A simple, but effective script and creative writing word processor.
Power Tracker - Helps writers keep track of files, submissions and expenses. Contains built-in listings of major producers, etc.
Power Writer - Similar to Power Structure but aimed at manuscript submission. Can help in writing treatments.
[edit] External links
- Blockbuster
- Celtx
- DreamaScript
- Final Draft
- Practical Scriptwriter
- RoughDraft
- Movie Magic Screenwriter and Dramatica
- Sophocles
- Not software but a structural template
- Power Structure, Power Writer, Power Tracker
- Inspiration
- OmniOutliner 3
- Screenwriting with TextMate
