Screenwriting software

Screenwriting software are word processors specialized to the task of writing screenplays.

Overview

Features

While add-ins and macros for word processors, such as Script Wizard[1] for Microsoft Word, can be used to write screenplays, the need for dedicated screenwriting programs arises from the presence of certain peculiarities in standard screenplay format which are not handled well by generic word processors such as page-break constraints imposed by standard screenplay format. Screenplay software often provides specialized shortcuts for quickly typing character names or slug lines, collaborating with other writers, adding production notes, character notes, easy outlining, scene reordering, and other tools to facilitate the creative process.[2] Other features often required when writing shooting scripts include page-locking, scene numbering, revision-tracking, and production-related reports (such as which characters appear in a given scene or which scenes are set during the day or night).

Some screenwriting applications, such as Celtx and Sophocles, also incorporate production scheduling and budgeting features.[3]

Another class of screenwriting software includes those that, rather than act as specialized word processors, attempt to direct the writer's storytelling process by utilizing story theory to facilitate the planning of a screenplay. Examples of this type of program includes Dramatica and Index Card.

Screenwriting software often also provides functions that allow writers to analyze their scripts for various characteristics. In 2018, developers began adding functions that allow an analysis of gender representation such as the Bechdel test, e.g. in Highland 2, WriterDuet and the forthcoming Final Draft 11.[4]

Platforms

Screenwriting programs exist for all varieties of platforms and environments including traditional standalone desktop applications that run directly on a personal computer, web applications that run solely within a browser, and mobile apps that run on phones, tablets, and other portable devices.

Plain text markup

The Fountain markup syntax, co-developed by screenwriter John August, facilitates formatting screenplays directly from plain text, be it in dedicated writing software, email programs, or text generated through OCR.[5] There is also a formatting package for LaTeX called screenplay.

History

The first screenwriting software was a standalone script formatter, Scriptor, from Screenplay Systems. It took a text file generated by a word processor and inserted the proper page break tags. When used in conjunction with a TSR program such as SmartKey or ProKey—keyboard utilities that assigned a sequence of commands to keystroke combinations—the "dot commands" that Scriptor required could be inserted semi-automatically. Additionally, keyboard macros could be programmed to properly indent and enter abbreviations—allowing a user to customize the working of the word processor.

SmartKey was popular with screenwriters from 1982–1987, after which word processing programs had their own macro features.

An update to Scriptor understood the style sheets used in Microsoft Word for DOS. And so the need for key macro programs was lessened. Scriptor's limitation was that once formatted it was difficult to re-import the resulting text back into a word processor for further editing.

The next generation of screenplay software hooked into Microsoft Word. Warren Script Application was initially released as a set of style sheets for Word for DOS. It was updated for Word for Windows circa 1988. gScript, a shareware script formatter/template, was released via CompuServe in 1989. It was included on the disk accompanying the book Take Word for Windows to the Edge, published by Ziff-Davis in 1993. It was subsequently updated and released commercially as ScriptWright.

This third generation of screenplay software consists of the standalone script writing programs such as Movie Magic Screenwriter, Final Draft, and Cinovation's Scriptware.

The latest generation adds online storage and collaboration and integrates with apps on mobile devices. Many software also integrate outlining tools as well as other creative support, and tools to further integrate the production process.

List of softwares
  • Arc Studio Pro - Professional screenwriting software with automatic formatting, real time collaboration and drag and drop outlining features. Free and paid versions available.
  • Beat - Free and open source screenwriting app for macOS, with drag and drop outlining, scene card and timeline views. It uses the Fountain plain text format.
  • Causality - an original approach emphasizes visual story development outlining and simultaneous scripting movement while tracking causalities (cause and effects) of key plot points; simultaneously display of 3 story elements: Snippets(Script)/Story Logic (White Board)/Timeline, plus visual Characters tracking. Quickly breeze though an outline, simultaneously write out story Snippets as the ideas come.  Exports into Final Draft, Fountain, and PDF, and loaded with extra features, with multi-language support, plus collaboration and other features coming soon. Free and Paid versions for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.  [6][7]
  • Celtx - Free to register, but requires paid subscription for the full collaborative version. Browser-based, with apps for Mac OS X, IOS, and Android. Includes a comic book script-writing mode.[8]
  • DramaQueen - Software for script writers and novelists. Offers working with storylines, turning points, different structure models, a storytelling guidance, character profiles, story-charts and character arcs.
  • Dramatica - Name of a theory and software suite created as part of a project by Chris Huntley and Melanie Anne Phillips.
  • DubScript Screenplay Writer- A professional screenwriting software for Android with features such as auto-formatting and Google Docs fixing. A free version is available with a watermark header on printed output/PDF and optional subscription. DubScript also outputs to most major screenwriting formats.[8]
  • Fade In Professional Screenwriting Software - Professional screenwriting software for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux, with mobile versions for iPhone, iPad and Android. Imports and exports Final Draft as well as most other major screenwriting software formats.
  • Final Draft - Professional screenwriting software for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.
  • Highland - Highland is a screenplay utility for Mac that seamlessly converts PDF screenplays into editable Fountain or Final Draft files, and back again. It’s also a text editor, so a screenplay can be written directly in Highland.
  • JotterPad - A powerful professional screenwriting app for Android. Includes paid Fountain support, export to Final Draft and print formatted script to PDF.
  • KIT Scenarist - A free and open source screenwriting software for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux, which includes story development tools, corkboard, screenplay editor and statistics module. Includes paid service for real-time collaboration and versions for Android and iOS.
  • Montage - Screenwriting software for Mac only.
  • Movie Magic Screenwriter - Integrated professional screenwriting software. Available on Mac and Microsoft Windows.
  • Page 2 Stage - Free open-source software, designed specifically for Windows. Available in a variety of languages.
  • Practical Scriptwriter - Professional script writing software for Windows. Formats cover Film, Stage, Radio and TV.
  • Prewrite - Free browser-based tool for writers to develop story ideas into a screenplay, scene-by-scene -- visually with timelines, cards and inspiring images. It tracks story beats, characters, emotional context, plot threads, and provides advanced analysis tools for insights into story structure. Provides importing and exporting features that work with Final Draft and PDF file formats.
  • Script Studio (formerly Movie Outline) - Creative writing software for Mac and Windows designed by produced screenwriter for writing and professionally formatting movie scripts, teleplays, stage plays and novels. Includes story and character development features.
  • Scripts Pro - iOS-based app which allows a writer to edit scripts in text file format via Dropbox and iTunes transfers.[8]
  • Scrivener (software) - A powerful writing tool that helps writers concentrate on composing and structuring long and difficult documents for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.
  • Screenwriter-mode - Major mode for the GNU Emacs free text editor. Includes commands and tools to format scripts as plain text files.
  • Slugline - It is a screenwriting app for Mac, iPad and iPhone. It uses the Fountain plain text format.
  • Story Touch - Story Touch is a complete software for dramatic development and creation. Graphs and color pallets will provide a veritable X-ray of a script.
  • Storyist - Storyist is a creative writing application for Mac OS X and iPad.
  • StudioBinder Script Sides - StudioBinder is a TV & film production management software which has an inbuilt screenwriting tool called 'script sides'.
  • Tooleybook - Free online book writing software [9]
  • Trelby - A free and open source screenwriting program for Linux and Microsoft Windows. (Development at a standstill, but still viable and available for download.)
  • WriterDuet - Real-time collaborative, online-offline professional screenwriting software.[10]

Discontinued
  • Adobe Story - An online collaborative screenwriting suite by Adobe.[11]
  • Amazon Storywriter
  • Celtx free desktop version - Has become cloud-based requiring paid subscription for the full version.
  • FiveSprockets - A discontinued free, online, collaborative story-development and scriptwriting web-software.
  • Scripped - Professional browser-based screenwriting text editing software. (now defunct and no longer accessible)
  • Sophocles - commercial story-development, scriptwriting, and scheduling package. (discontinued)

See also

References
  1. "Select the Perfect Script Software | WritersDigest.com". WritersDigest.com. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  2. "What is the best free screenwriting software for screenwriters?". Script Reader Pro. 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  3. "Celtx is Now an All-in-One Video & Movie Planning System". No Film School. 2016-01-06. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  4. Ryzik, Melena (21 May 2018). "Is your script gender-balanced? The new test helping filmmakers get it right". The Independent. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  5. "John August and Stu Maschwitz Release 'Fountain,' a Handy Screenwriting Tool/Markup Language". No Film School. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  6. https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com/causality.html
  7. https://medium.com/infodump/a-working-guide-to-screenwriting-software-384abe163545 "A working guide to screenwriting software" Julian Simpson Mar 17 2018
  8. Eaton, Kit (2015-02-04). "Video Feature: Easy Ways to Get Your Movie Idea Out of Your Head". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  9. https://tooleybook.com
  10. https://nofilmschool.com/2014/09/writerduet-pro-makes-collaborative-screenwriting-app-available-offline-much
  11. https://helpx.adobe.com/story/kb/end-of-service-adobe-story.html
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