Screenwriting/writing software

[James]

This is out of the blue but someone might know . .. I was thinking of purchasing a Screen writing program and wanted some input.

I am currently using sophocles but have come across a program called Dramitica. www.dramatica.com

It has an unique interface and focuses on story development through psychological and literary theory.

Any feedback?

[Miami1839]

James,

I'm not sure if Best Buy is around you but you might try that. I think I remember seeing a program like that one time when I was there. Another one you might try is CompUSA or Circuit City.

Kevin

[amycat412]

By far, the best program around is Final Draft. This is what I use, this is what Steven Soderbergh uses. (I don't say that to be pretentious, I worked with him once) Its the industry standard in Hollywood (where I've worked for seven years.)
www.finaldraft.com

Amy

[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited March 13, 2001).]

[James]

I checked the Demo it Final Draft seems to be a mdified word processing program . . do me a favor and check out the Dramatica web site for a little bit and tell me what you think?

It looks like it might be better for beginning to intermediate writers. It also has a demo service.

Originally posted by amycat412:
By far, the best program around is Final Draft. This is what I use, this is what Steven Soderbergh uses. (I don't say that to be pretentious, I worked with him once) Its the industry standard in Hollywood (where I've worked for seven years.)
www.finaldraft.com

Amy

[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited March 13, 2001).]

[amycat412]

I'll check it out tonight and post for you-- but one comment on Final Draft-- its much more than modified word processing.

A very useful method of writing and rewriting a screenplay is to create one index card (4X6) for each scene and arrange them on a bulletin board. This way you can visually follow your story, rearrange as you see fit, etc.

Final Draft can do this for you in the program, as well as print index sized cards with summaries of each scene on them.

Just ne of the features of final draft that I love. I started with Final Draft 2.0, now its up to 5.0 and I love it. Oh wait, I said that already.

[Alumnus who cares]

I think that's cool. I would love to write a screenplay. I probably could--I have one in mind--but the odds of it getting made into a movie are about 1 in 100,000. Maybe it would be fun to write one anyway though.

[amycat412]

LOL...actually, the last odds I heard on just SELLING a screenplay is 1 in 30,000.
Getting it made into a movie is a whole other thing.

You can have a VERY lucrative career as a screenwriter without ever having a single movie made.

[Alumnus who cares]

Originally posted by amycat412:
You can have a VERY lucrative career as a screenwriter without ever having a single movie made.

You mean just by selling your screenplays and not worrying about the movie getting made? That would be pretty cool. Once the check was in my hand, I wouldn't have to worry about what happens next.

[amycat412]

deals are generally set up like this:

Say a Producer based at Universal wants your script.

The Production Company has a budget from which to purchase new material. Budget is funded by Universal.

So they will purchase your screenplay for (#'s arbitrary here) $100,000 against $300,000. You get the $100,000 minus agent and attorneys fees (generally 15% total) up front. IF the script gets made, you get the remaining $200,000. IF NOT, in your contract, a timeline will be established wherein the rights to that script revert back to you.

[Alumnus who cares]

Originally posted by amycat412:

So they will purchase your screenplay for (#'s arbitrary here) $100,000 against $300,000. You get the $100,000 minus agent and attorneys fees (generally 15% total) up front.

Interesting. I could live on $100,000 a year, or even more. The thing that gets me is how there are so many horrible movies that get made nowadays, and you have to wonder, "WHO wrote this crap?!" You look at some dumb-ass Pauly Shore movie and wonder how the moron who wrote that is raking it in while there are thousands of screenwriters who are much more talented, but will never get their movie made because they don't know "the right people."

[amycat412]

So so so so so so true. I know many extremely talented writers who have yet to sell a single screenplay.

It is, unfortunately, all about the game. I once heard and after 7 years in the business truly believe that it is only 10% talent, the rest is persistence and who you know.

Also, as to "crap" -- Pauly Shore notwithstanding-- do not blame the writer. Writers under the current Guild contract (hence one of the reasons for the pending strike) are given no control over their script once it is bought. The studio could have it rewritten by several other people with completely different visions, the director could change it until the writer doesn't recognize it, the editing could dilute the plot points and make it lose focus.

Unfortunately, the writer has very little control. In many cases, they are not even allowed on the set. Notice films are "A Film By insert directors name here" Where would they be without the writer and the script? Nowhere! A film by!! PLEASE! Another issue in the WGA's contract negotiations, BTW...

And you could live on 100K a year? You mustn't live in Los Angeles. ha ha ha ha



[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited March 14, 2001).]

[Miami1839]

One of my cousins on my dads side wrote a novel and it got used as a screenplay. I dont remember what it was specifically but he did get some money for it. It was kind of a fluke I think. He lives with his gf in hollywood hills. Kind of weird because his major in school was in biochemistry and literature and he doesnt really use the two now. Hes kind of a jack of all trades. He was a chef at a restaurant around LA and he helped build his gf house.

[This message has been edited by Miami1839 (edited March 15, 2001).]

[amycat412]

James,

I replied w my thoughts via email. Let me know if you have any questions.
Good Luck!
Amy