I've written some short screenplays in the past and spent a lot of my time getting bogged down with the typesetting...I remember hearing from my old teacher that there is some nice software out there to make this easier. I'd rather spend my time with the writing, and I do find it easier to write if I'm following a specific format WHILE I'm writing rather than formatting it later on. So I was wondering...anyone know of any good free programs for doing this? I'm sure LGM will have something to say ;)
FinalDraft. I'm not sure where to get it, and it's commercial, but good.
You won't really find a good one for free..
There is a template for OpenOffice.org that is the best I could find.
Once I wrap my head around Java, I plan on starting an open source multi-platform screenwriting word processor.
I'm a fan of Sophocles (http://www.sophocles.net/) myself. You can download a free trial and when that runs out, if you'd like to register the full version it costs about half of what the others do.
and if you want to just skip the "paying" part... it's a lot easier to do with this software as well... not that I advocate that in any way.
This website will tell you the standard format for all kinds of script including screenplay, sit-com and sketch show:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/formats.shtml
And it also offers what seems to be a free plugin for Word that helps you format screenplays:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/
Gor' bless ya BBC.
I developed such a module for the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation - in VBScript, integrated with Microsoft Word. But they haven't released it, unfortunately. And I have seem to lost my copy. :(
I'm a fan of RoughDraft myself.
Completely free, supports screenplay, radioplay and novel formats.
Yes, RoughDraft is great. It's very simple and easy. There's no real point in buying something unless you are going to try to get yourstories published or something.
Roughdraft lacks in some standards in screenwriting software and makes it much less efficient to work with. (I.E. Tabbing hardly works) It's nice, but I personally don't like it. I'm going to try this BBC one out, though.
Try Sophocles,
www.sophocles.net .
I reccomend it. Great buy for the price.
Bt