HOW TO USE FINAL DRAFT One reason I wrote The Screenwriter's Bible was to clear up the confusion around the formatting of spec scripts. When the initial software programs were created, I felt they were geared towards writers of shooting scripts. A lot has changed since then, and that includes the software programs themselves. I'll explain how to use each program to write a spec script while explaining the software's main features as objectively as I can. What both have in common Both major software programs will format your screenplay; that is, they will provide the necessary margins and tabs, and make it easy to type your script without having to think much about formatting. So what makes one different from the other? Final Draft Final Draft has improved its software with each version, and the latest version is quite easy to use. You'll find plenty of support at the web site (http://www.finaldraft.com) with "fact pages" and a "Q&A." It contains a unique interactive The Ask the Expert feature. With Final Draft, you can save a document as a PDF file or an RTF file (among other options). Final Draft is the only scriptwriting software with an authorized agreement with the WGA/w, making script registration easy. The ScriptCompare feature allows you to compare two scripts. You can also place two pages of a script on your computer screen at the same time. A Panels system allows you to view your script, its outline, and index cards simultaneously. In fact, you can view your script and write notes on the cards at the same time. That's a useful writing and revising tool. Format Assistant checks your script for common formatting errors, such as missing dialogue, extra spaces, carriage returns, and blank elements. Final Draft remembers character names, scene headings, and transitions so that you only have to type a few letters. Dual Dialogue, VO, OS, and similar features are built in to the program. Several reports can be easily created, including scene, location, character, cast reports, and others. The Text to Speech feature allows you to assign different voices to your characters so you can hear your dialogue read back to you. You can also jot down notes and ideas on a pop-up window for later reference. If you are writing for TV, templates are provided for several television shows. If you plan to produce your script, Final Draft provides scene numbers, A and B pages, and similar functions. Tagger is an application that enables you to break down your script into several elements for exporting to all the various scheduling and production programs. Incidentally, Final Draft gives you the option of using Courier Final Draft, which is a bit darker than standard Courier. Courier Final Draft also provides the standard 54 lines per page. However, if you transfer a Final Draft file written in Courier Final Draft, the size of the type face may change, resulting in a Courier font that measures around 11 characters per inch rather than the standard 10 characters per inch. That can be a turn-off to professional readers. Courier Final Draft is the default font, but you can select the traditional Courier New font. However, since Courier New only provides 48 lines per page, you may want to adjust the line spacing to a tighter format, but take care not to go over 54-55 lines per page. To change the line spacing, click on "Document," then "Page Layout," then "Options." The latest version of Final Draft arrives with the CONTINUEDs, headers and footers, and scene numbering disabled, so it’s ready for the spec writer. Final Draft triple-spaces before scene headings. There is no double-space feature. The triple-spacing looks great before master scene headings, but I recommend you double-space before secondary headings. That will happen automatically as long as you don't type an INT. or EXT. Final Draft retails for $289, but can can be currently purchased at
$179.99 at my bookstore. MovieMagic uses the traditional Courier New Font that provides the standard 54 lines per page. It provides dual dialogue, VO, OS, scene numbering, AutoCorrect, and other "standard" features. It allows you to take notes while you write your script. It remembers character names and locations so that you only have to type a key or two. It can import directly from other screenwriting programs. It automatically checks for formatting errors. Electronic index cards allow you to outline your scenes. Moving a card automatically rearranges the scenes in your screenplay. That's a helpful planning tool. If you want to write for television, MovieMagic provides over sixty TV templates. You can also assign a male or female voice to a character and have that character's dialogue read back to you. If you wish, you can save a document as a PDF file or an RTF file (among other options). Since MovieMagic is the official screenwriting software of the WGA/e, script registration is easy. Do you want to produce as well as write? MovieMagic allows you to "break down" your script and export it to other production software. It also interfaces with StoryView, their story development program. The latest version of MovieMagic Screenwriter arrives with the CONTINUEDs, headers and footers, and scene numbering disabled, so it’s ready for the spec writer. MovieMagic double-spaces before scene headings, but you can adjust it to triple-spacing if you wish by clicking on "Format," then "Edit Script Formats," and then "Scene Headings." (If you are wondering whether to double-space or triple-space before master scene headings, the answer is either method is correct.) MovieMagic Screenwriter retails for $249, but can be currently purchased at $159.99 at my bookstore where you'll also find StoryView and other software offerings, including a free copy of StorySorter. .
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