If you’re a faithful user of Final Draft (FD) but have been waiting to upgrade until it got better (like I don’t know, real-time collaboration and importing of other file formats), you are not alone! With other competitors like Fade In (collaboration, file importing, 1/4 of FD's price), Writer Duet (collaboration, file importing, monthly subscription, three free screenplays), Celtx (formerly free – now monthly/annual subscription), and Movie Magic’sScreenwriter (used by legendary screenwriter Paul Haggis). The thing that FD did so well? Templates! If you write strictly for TV and needed to write a spec for a specific show to try to get hired on in that writer’s room, chances are FD had the template you needed. There are so many templates that I can’t possible list them all. FD used to come with a certain number pre-loaded and you could always go download more from their site. With this upgrade, there are no more pre-loaded TV templates. You click on the little “download more templates” link and you can get the link to download the TV templates. The templates for scripts haven’t changed. FD still includes the obsolete Cole and Haag, and 135 story structure. They are helpful if you’re interested in the progression of the screenplay format. Script templates now includes Spanish, French, and German, three different Dramatists Guild templates, and an index card template. Still have just the four templates for graphic novels (Dark Horse, Generic, and Image) and plot outline. FD has text templates as well: manuscript, novel, outline, query letter (I have used this one a couple of times), text, and treatment (I have also used this one, handy). There is also the “My Templates) where, I assume, you can save your favorite/frequently used templates. I haven’t tried that feature yet. What else did FD do with this update? They added real-time collaboration! Still no file import, maybe next update… The folks at FD have also made the window cleaner as well as brighter. The shortcuts are now button form. (Can you tell? I upgraded from FD9!!) You have a button for feedback, title page, and collaboration just to name a few. Is it worth the $99.99? I don’t know yet. I just upgraded and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t do it when it was $79.99. (<- FYI, that’s the everyday price of Fade In and their upgrades are free. Not that I’m saying one is better than the other…) Final Draft is still industry standard, however, I do know that more people are going over to other options, especially new writers who just don’t have the extra for the huge price tag on FD. I hope this has been informative in your decision to get Final Draft 11 or to go with a less costly software for formatting. It really is a must if you plan on getting into screenwriting.
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These posts were from the Writers Room in the Legion M Forum. "Screenwriting 101" is written by Nikki Ackerman. Don't know what Legion M is? It's the world's first fan-owned entertainment company. Want to know more? Visit Legion M at legionm.com Archives
January 2021
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