Do I need a script software or not?

I would definitely go with it, because formatting in Word or any other word processor that's not designed specifically for scriptwriting is a pain in the butt. Honestly, formatting programs make it so much easier, because you don't have to spend time worrying about if you've set up the correct margins, if you've put in enough tabs, etc. Software just lets you focus on the writing, it takes care of the formatting itself.

As for which software to use, I'm kind of partial to Celtx. It's an amazing pre-production tool, because you're able to use all sorts of different tools within the program to do your planning. Celtx is also one of the easiest out of all the programs to use. Final Draft can get a little too "techy" at times, but Celtx keeps it simple and straight forward. Oh, and best part? It's Free!

Hope this helped!

Oh thanks so much it helped!

Is the software user friendly? I've never used software of this type, never ever written a screenplay but I'm interested to try. I love a challenge and I think I have a good idea

Celtx is pretty intuitive and easy, as long as you know what screenplay format looks like, so you know what it's trying to do.

I've heard a lot about this Celtx program. What I've been wondering is if it takes up much room when you download. Is it a bulky program?

It's about 50 megabytes. Extremely manageable size by today's standards.

I must be some kind of superhero, because a Word template has always worked just fine for me...

Well, there's nothing WRONG with just using a word template or something...Hell, my first script was done in a Pages template. CeltX and other apps are just more convenient and purpose-built.

I just can't see what special software would give me other than a hole in my pocketbook... *shrug*

You've probably done this before.

I hadn't the faintest idea what a screenplay looked like until about a week ago. Celtx is looking ready to make my life a great deal easier next month.

And it's free, *and* it's cross-platform, so it'll install on both my Windoze PC and my Linux laptop. I'm sold.

I looked at the screenplay examples on the Celtx website, but i didn't feel like downloading it so i just modeled by format after it on Word. I find that page counting is easier on Word.

Here's the FAQ that answers your question:

http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/eng/helpfaq#node-120306