Sep 05, 2018 Scott McMenamin is President of Final Draft, Inc. He has more than 15 years of experience in sales and marketing from working at the industry's leading screenwriting software company. Sep 18, 2018 To make this powerful screenwriting software affordable to aspiring writers and creators, Final Draft 11 Academic is now available to students and faculty. This version has all the same features as the commercial version, but it requires academic proof. Jul 21, 2021 Final Draft 11 for PC and Mac. Written by Cast & Crew Production Software, LLC. Category: Productivity Release date: 2021-07-21 Licence: $199.99 Software version: 11.1.4 File size: 57.95 MB.
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Final Draft® is the industry-leading screenwriting application chosen by award winning-writers, directors, and producers. Final draft® software consists of over 100 templates for film, television, and theater has Spell-check and dictionaries in over fifteen languages, and it seamlessly integrates with the leading scheduling, budgeting,. Final Draft® is the industry-leading screenwriting application chosen by award winning-writers, directors, and producers. Final draft® software consists of over 100 templates for film, television, and theater has Spell-check and dictionaries in over fifteen languages, and it seamlessly integrates with the leading scheduling, budgeting,.
Over the last 20 years, there have been over 15 screenwriting software tools made for writing movie scripts.
Now you might think is it necessary to write a script using screenwriting software?
Of course, you can write a screenplay or a TV Commercialin MS Word or Google Docs however, it is highly recommended to use software to get an understanding of camera angles that go into it (and a whole lot of other things).
Trust me it makes a HUGE difference!
One of the reasons is, even if you wanted to write a script for a movie you wouldn't have a proper idea of writing the correct angle of a particular shot.
Even if you have a very remarkable idea for a movie (along with the wonderful action sequences you have written), your script will not be formatted properly, according to the standards set by the industry.
So, your chances of landing a script in the hands of a producer will be gone down the drain.
If you wish to approach producers or start applying to famous screenwriting contests, you have to first understand the format of writing scripts.
Screenwriting software helps write, format, edit & print screenplays according to the strict guidelines in the television & movie industry.
So which screenwriting software should you use?
To make it simple for you to decide, I have listed some free & paid free screenwriting software used to write screenplays by professionals as well as amateur screenwriters.
1. Final Draft
Paid Version
This software is not for the faint-hearted. But if you are pro and serious about making a career in screenwriting and want to be the next Aaron Sorkin of Hollywood, this is the software I would gravely recommend.
Many Oscar-winning screenwriters like Guillermo Del Toro, Doug Ellin and Soffia Coppola use it.
It really is the 'Big Daddy' of screenwriting and used by the best in the movie industry.
Features of Final Draft:
- Enhanced Beat board
- Use multiple lanes to organize your screenplay's structure.
- Nigh & Focus mode to eliminate distractions.
- Track changes. to keep a record of edits to your script.
- Real time collaboration with partners.
- Speech to Script using Mac's Dictation feature
- Adjust the size of beats in the Outline Editor.
- Insert images to you beat board.
- Alternate Dialogue to store different versions of lines.
- Add comments to your script as ideas come to you.
Pricing:
- It has a free 60-day trial too.
- It costs $199.99 for digital download.
- Educational license cost is $9.99 (only for educators).
2. Celtx
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Paid Version
This is the first software I have used when I started writing 8 years ago. And guess why I chose it?. Yeah, because it was free to download.
Currently, it has 6 million users. Now it's on the cloud and hence it only has a paid version. It is built by the same people who built Mozilla Firefox.
Still, it is way cheaper than Final Draft and can be used by amateur writers as it is very much user-friendly.
You can also write novels and plays in it. Sometimes I use it for writing TV Commercials.
Features of Celtx:
- Screenplay & Stageplay Editor
- Multi-Column AV Editor
- Storyboard
- Screenplay Offline Mode
- Script Insights
- Revision Tracking
- Shareable Link
- Script Import
Pricing:
There are 3 pricing plans.
It is currently giving 50% off on all of it's plans.
- If you buy the bundle plan (Video + Game Production) then it costs $22.50/month.
3. Movie Magic Screenwriter
Paid Version
Another software tool used by the biggies in the industry to make Magic happen on screen is the Movie Magic Screenwriter. It can be compared to the Final Draft software on many levels.
Some people also use it to write research paper assignments & submissions.
It is very expensive compared to Celtx and has fewer features than Final Draft.
Features Movie Magic:
- Navigate through your document by Outline, Scenes, Notes, and Bookmarks.
- Full-featured Outlining
- Easily track all revisions from spec to final shoot script.
- Updated spell check dictionaries for American English, British English, French, German, Italian and 3 more languages
- Import Text Feature lets you import screenplays already written in Microsoft Word or any other word processor.
- 8 Instructional templates (including stageplay, screenplay, sitcom structure, and classic film structure).
- 10 industry-standard Blank templates8 Instructional templates (including stageplay, screenplay, sitcom structure, and classic film structure).
- 10 industry-standard Blank templates
Pricing:
- The latest version is the Movie Magic 6 priced at $149.95.
- An upgrade costs $89.95 (Windows & Mac)
- The 6.5 upgrade costs $69.95 (only for Mac)
4. WriterDuet
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Free Trial Version
Founded in 2013 Writer's Duet is a perfect screenwriting software made for collaborating with fellow screenwriters. It includes real-time co-writing, in-app text, and video chat.
Writing is rewriting, so instead of copy-pasting every time, you can save templates, integrate beat sheets, treatments, and outlines.
Features of WriterDuet:
- Real-time co-writing
- Intuitive commenting
- In-app text and video chat
- Seamless integration and organization of beat sheets, treatments and outlines.
It offers 3 free scripts upon sign up.
Pricing:
It is cheaper than Celtx.
Following are the pricing plans if you buy the yearly plan.
- $5/month billed annually for Plus membership.
- $7.42/month billed annually Pro membership.
- $9.92/month billed annually Premium membership.
Jason Hellerman, a professional screenwriter has similar views on writer's duet.
Also Read : 10 Best Writing Courses on Coursera (Screenwriting Included)
5. Fade In
Paid Version
Since its release Fade In has become one of the most popular screenwriting software with professionals and amateurs alike.
It supports writing A/V scripts, collaboration options & has a thesaurus. A very useful feature that other expensive software tools like final draft, Celtx, Movie Magic Screenwriter, don't have is its full-screen mode.
It even has ePub export and scene timing support which no other software listed above has.
According to author AJ Detisch, this software has a cool feature which is the action-to-dialogue calculator within their script statistic reporting tool.
Pricing:
- Free Trial for some days.
- Regular Price is $79.95.
- The future updates are free for lifetime.
The Fade In website has a comparison of Final Draft vs Movie Magic Screenwriter vs Celtx.
6. Highland 2
Highland 2 is a screenwriting software developed by John August.
John August is a screenwriter whose credits include the Charlie's Angels movies, The Nines(2007), Big Fish(2003), etc.
He hosts one of the best screenwriting podcasts called Scriptnotes with his co-host Craig Mazin. Scriptnotes is a very informative podcast for screenwriters and is worth listening to for anyone looking to break into Hollywood.
Highland 2 is screenwriting software that stands apart from others because it is made for writers by someone who understands the writing process and how difficult it can be.
Highland 2 offers features that other screenwriting tools don't. For example, the software has a Gender Analysis feature that tracks the genders of the characters and how many lines they get.
This can be used to ensure that all genders are given a roughly equal amount of speaking lines.
Highland 2 is also recommended by many talented writers like Phil Lord(Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), Michael Chabon(the showrunner for Star Trek: Picard), etc.
Features of Highland 2:
- Scripts are automatically formatted as per industry standards. (Without writers having to specify elements like character, action, dialogue, etc.)
- Character highlighting.
- Different background themes.
- Five PDF templates.
- Gender Analysis.
- Exports/Imports to/from Final Draft.
Pricing:
- $69.99 for Highland Pro.
Pros of Highland 2:
- Offers unique features that other software lacks.
- Very accessible to writers.
- Has a UI that motivates writers to work.
- Highland Pro allows users to avoid repetition of words.
Cons of Highland 2:
- Available only for Mac.
7. Scrivener
Free Trial Version
Launched in 2007, Scrivener is more of a book writing software. It has those features which a screenwriting software has however it is more popular among authors and novelists.
You can get the feel of a typewriter while using it. You can put different pieces of a story or a long text together easily.
Its corkboard feature is unique which most authors like about it very much.
You can use it for screenwriting no doubt. Joanna Penn's review of Scrivener notes that Scrivener helps writers to become proficient.
Joanna is a renowned blogger and author, who has published more than 26 books so far.
Pricing:
It has a 30-day trial.
- The Windows and Mac license costs $45.
- iOS license costs $19.99
- You can also buy a bundle for Mac & Windows at a discounted price.
You can buy Scrivener byclicking here.
8. StudioBinder
Paid Version
It is a leading photo, video, TV & film production management software. So apart from screenwriting it also includes a production calendar, film crew management feature.
You can write with partners, share scripts, receive feedback instantly. Easier to organize screenplay versions, covert scripts written in other software like Final Draft. You can go from a script to pre-production in just one click.
If you have a production company then this is the perfect tool for you to manage scripts, crews, and people involved in your project.
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Features of StudioBinder:
- Call Sheet Builder
- Call Sheet Templates
- Storyboards
- Script Breakdowns
- Scrip Sides
- Film Crew Management
Pricing:
It has 2 pricing plans. Individual Plans & Company Plans
- Individual plans per month (shown above) costs $29, $49 & $99.
- Company Plan per month costs $249 onwards.
There is a free forever plan which doesn't offer much
You can buy StudioBinder byclicking here.
9. Kit Scenarist
Free Version
This is by far the best free version software for writing screenplays. It has taken the place of Celtx in its early years.
With over 10 thousand screenwriters using it, Kit Scenarist is for not just amateurs. It is available on 5 platforms namely Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android.
As it's an open-source software, the team behind Kit Scenarist is constantly updating this tool
Pricing:
The team has made it available in 3 versions (all absolutely Free).
- Beta version: To download, use & give feedback so they can improve it further.
- Stable Version: Perfect for use
- Mobile Version: Write scripts, notes while you are traveling.
I definitely recommend using this software.
Download forfree here.
10. Causality
Free & Paid Version
Developed by the team at Hollywood Camera Work, who are experts in making software for filmmakers, this is totally different from other software tools above.
Causality is the first screenwriting software that is a game-changer in some ways. It helps to plot as well as write your story at the same time.
You can visualize your story in a much better way than all other paid screenwriting tools.
Pricing:
It has 3 plans available.
- Free version: You can save & export your script if it is under 10 pages.
- Monthly Plan: $5.99/month
- Pro Version: $279 for a permanent license with free lifetime updates.
I think you should definitely try it even if you are a pro & using any of the other paid software tools.
Also Read : Screenwriter's Salary: Do Screenwriters Really Earn Millions?
11. Trelby
Free
It is founded by 2 young coders. Just like Kit Scenarist, it is open-source software.
Simple to use & open to feedback, Trelby gives a vibe that it'll be around in the screenwriting community for a long time with its upgrades & features. Bill maher real time youtube 2 8 2019.
After downloading it, you should install the Courier 10 font & start writing your script.
Pricing: Free
Conclusion:
Even if you have very little money to buy software, you can still write a professional screenplay by using these tools & achieve your dream of becoming a screenwriter.
Start applying toscreenplay contests, because without that awesome feedback from those experts, you may never improve your storytelling skills.
That concludes the article for the top screenwriting software tools right now. If you haven't yet started writing, click on one and start writing.
