What is the best screenwriting program out there? What are the benefits and options that some of the programs have?

I use movie magic, just because I have it. Fairly easy to use, and it has pre set formatting buttons. I have heard many just use word, and format manualy with little hassle though. It will also number scenes, and breakdown acts. Other than that, dont think theres a whole lot of difference. (Although i have yet to truly delve into what this program can do.
R. Michael McWhorter
www.tizzyentertainment.8m.com
www.tizzystoryboardartist.8m.com

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

I would suggest writing your first script with out any software. That way you are equipt with the knowledge and if you are in a bind later down the road you'll be able to get your self out with no software at all. BUT!!! I hear final draft kicks some ass, so go for that if that's what you're looking for.

"I don't have time for film school...I'm too busy making movies" lol

I have really been enjoying using Sophocles lately. It's set up well, and easy to use, with quite a few features. I've never used FinalDraft or MovieMagic, so I'm not sure how it compares.

peace,
krp


"...there was a genreal feeling that whatever we were doing, was right. that we were winning."

i used sophocles, and i loved it. then i won final draft in a contest, and i really, really , really love it. so if choosing between those two, i would go with final draft. also, it seems to be more widely used, which makes me think that many people seem to have a tendency to use it.

I've used Sophocles, SceneWriter, and Final Draft,but all in demo modes cause I'm poor. But Sophocles seemed the best (I hate SceneWriter's set up, but it's what I'm using now cause Sophocles won't let you copy text outside the program).


-Thomas Chalifour

Writer/Director/Actor Extrodinaire

I'm proof that you don't have to be young to be poor! I found a freeware program called SCRIPTMAKER (somewhere on the net) and have used that for awhile now. It's very easy to use and has a "sister freeware program" called STORYBOARD that works in conjunction with the script program.

I can't compare the quality to FINAL DRAFT or the others, but the price can't be beat!

Mark M
Scooter Productions

You can find those two programs Mark M was talking about here

write it on word, as a script would be written, and just copy it into final draft

Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of Final Draft? Whatever... Do what you'd like...

I've always just used Word. Apparently now there's a "Script Format" Pfff!

Everybody is Funny Looking in their own way
~Funny Looking Productions