Writing Software

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Because scripts have so many complicated formatting rules about centering, spacing, and margins, we recommend downloading a piece of scriptwriting software before you begin. Here are some we've tried and liked....


Final Draft
Final Draft is The Man when it comes to scriptwriting. If you aim to write scripts professionally, you'll need to buy a copy of Final Draft at some point.

A few Final Draft features we like:

  • Easy of use: As soon as you’ve installed the program you can start writing. The intuitive software not only automatically formats your script, but has a nifty SmartType tool. Enter a few letters of a name, location, etc., and the rest will automatically be filled in.
  • Great panel view: There are a few ways to view your script in panel form. It’s like getting a bird’s eye view of your entire script.
  • Bookmarks and ScriptNotes: As your story gets longer bookmarks are an easy to way to jump around in your script with one click. ScriptNotes keep your thoughts in line, can be printed separately and do not affect your total page count.

    • We would like to thank Final Draft for their generous in-kind donation to Script Frenzy this year!



    Celtx
    Celtx is a powerful, free piece of downloadable scriptwriting software that functions a lot like a stripped-down version of Final Draft. And if you want to take things to the next level, Celtx also contains planning tools, storyboarding, and other ways to collaborate with an entire production team.

    Some of our favorite Celtx features are:

  • Cost: Celtx is free to download and is open source.
  • Idea outline: Location, character and scene development tools help to kick-start your story. You can augment your thoughts with sound files, pics, and video clips.
  • Storyboard: Upload your images (in batches!), tag them with text, and play them to help visualize your project.



    • Scripped.com This free, web-based scriptwriting software has a time-saving, tab-based interface like Celtx, so switching between character names, dialogue, and scene description is a snap. Because it's web-based (think: Google Docs) you can access your script anywhere there's an internet connection (hello, secret workplace writing sessions!). The downside: You need to actually be online to work on your script.




    Plotbot.com A more collaborative take on free, web-based scriptwriting software, Plotbot is built with writing partners (or writing groups) in mind. If you're sharing writing duties with someone during the Frenzy, Plotbot makes it easy to comment on and revise your script in an intuitive way. The fun site also has a vibrant community of amateur scriptwriters, and lots of creative tagging features. The downside: The Plotbot interface requires you insert each script element piece by piece, which can be time-consuming. Like Scripped.com, you will need to have a live internet connection to work on your script.