Average Rating: 
Rating: - Excellent application that expands with your needs.
Screenwriter 2000Screenwriter 2000 enables you to create script-documents based on a number of pre-formatted templates, which respond to a set of hotkeys, mostly Tab and Enter, in order to conveniently place text in the appropriate place for screenplays, stage plays, etc. You can also use Screenwriter 2000 as a you would normally use a word processor, since it has spell checking and font formatting features. Custom templates can be created from scratch, or by modifying those installed. The format set-up property sheet / control panel is well thought out, access to all the parameters needed are from that screen, there being no need for jumping from one dialog box to another. The primary interface is usefully uncluttered, and is switchable between standard Microsoft Word view and its own. Not that there's a lot of difference, but it could be a comfort factor if you're used to Word. Import and file save-as options are very comprehensive. But you'll mostly be saving as a SCW file, a PDF for distribution and printing from outside of Screenwriter, and RTF for those who don't have Screenwriter and need an editable draft. Pasting a previously created script with the correct formatting from an RTF will result in Screenwriter applying the correct tags to the copied text, so that you don't need to worry about having to re-do the script in Screenwriter. The only distraction that I encountered was in Dialogue text. In Screenwriter 2000 you have to insert a specific line-break to avoid the enter key splitting the dialogue with the ( more ) and Joe Blow ( cont't ) tags as if you were crossing a page-break. This can be done by going Edit > Add Dialogue Paragraph or using Ctrl+Alt +D. The index cards are directly editable, which might be useful, but you are warned that some of the features used in the main editing window will be lost. Warnings of this type abound, so you're unlikely to do anything disastrous if you heed them. Screenwriter 2000 is a great product for writing scripts which will keep their formatting automatically updated as you proceed, revise, and amend. It should also be borne in mind that Screenwriter 2000 is part of a suite of products, which will allow you cover many aspects of the production process beyond the screenplay.
Rating: - You wanna write, or do you wanna read the instructions?
After trying out a couple demos for the leading formatting software, I couldn't stop working on Screenwriter. It was so easy to use, and fun, I ended up writing a 40 page script on the demo. The other demos demanded I spend the time learning the software before I was able to start writing, what a bother!Screenwriter frees you up to let the ideas flow, it's like having a secretary who thinks you are so brilliant he will take care of all the annoying details for you and even predict what your thinking. Screenwriter will also rib you about procrastinating if you wonder off to play with the preferences. I love choosing the actors to read my script out loud, and the storyboard feature. Defiantly the software to get if you want to enjoy writing.
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