Don’t Buy Final Draft | Screenwriting Software

Hello Scribes! Unpopular opinion INCOMING. I do NOT recommend Final Draft for new writers. There's simple no need! Sure, you might want to invest now rather than later in it, but who buys professional equipment immediately when you first learn something?
#screenwritingtips #screenwriting101 #filmmakers

[@natalied9592]

Also Trelby is a fantastic free open source screenwriting application. It works just like Final Draft and is free forever (not a free trail). No limitations on anything. It also imports final draft files so that makes it really easy to work with others who have final draft! (Only works on Windows and Linux though (not Mac) which is the one big downside for Mac users.)

[@tartfuel]

Professional TV writers are almost exclusively writing on Mac.

[@tartfuel]

Obviously, having industry standard software when you’re just starting out is not necessary. It does come in handy, however, if you’re selling a script that they’re paying you to do rewrites on and the studio wants you to use the same software that they have, which is almost always, Final Draft. If you already have Final Draft, you don’t have to learn a new App, but that’s about it. It doesn’t make you a better writer to use an industry standard software.

[@dawnofthedead1285]

I bought it for formatting my screenplay. Of course, the software has nothing to do with art and imagination. Overall, if you have the money, 100% get it. If not, I'm sure there are other softwares. In my opinion, final draft has a friendly user interface.

[@sincereiam]

I agree! Its a good tool to have.

[@stacyyoust]

But. Free version Celtx now only allows us ONE script project.

[@realmediummike]

I own final draft and it’s gas but there’s a bunch of great free softwares and websites you can write on that r good too.

[@jeremyhennessee6604]

Very solid advice ma'am. But unfortunately there are many gimmicky books available for purchase now with catchy titles such as " How to Write a Screenplay that Sells in 30 Days" or something similar. Many get sold on the idea that one can read a 64 pg. book on screen or novel writing and successfully replicate the results of those who've spent literal years studying up on the topic and (perhaps even more importantly) practicing at it. Yours is by far the most practical advice I've seen in a while. Learn the Basics, Practice, seek peer review. One could also add: Be open/receptive towards *constructive criticism, and open-minded enough to at least try or consider taking it. (if it resonates with you.) Good input. Ill be sure to check out more of your work.

[@craigwatler4531]

Yes I do buy the best of the best of everything when I start out if I’m going to need it in the end that way it’s already paid for and I am learning how to use it from the beginning. Not looking for help me with my storytelling but to help me with my formatting. BTW, I just purchased it yesterday

[@PikaLeeMedia]

👌 Nice! Storytelling is highly overlooked since everyone starts trying to learn formatting first, which is why I focus on this. Formatting takes less time to learn luckily and the Final Draft program can be too expensive for most entry level writers. But definitely enjoy!

[@HeartSoulLeake]

We disagree on this delivery, especially when you admit that you own one of the best screenwriting software 😂 story writing and screenwriting are 2 totally different things. So if someone is just a story writer, they don’t need a script writing software. But if you want to write a script then starting with the best saves you from having to relearn thee skill.

[@PikaLeeMedia]

Owning it was why I decided to make the video!👌I was told to to be a writer you had to buy it when I was just starting out. In hindsight, I feel I could have waited much longer before I purchased it. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn to write scripts correctly because of this program, in fact you can still incorrectly use the programs formatting (I’ve seen it happen 🥲.) For me, reading scripts and learning from books why a scene heading was written the way it was helped me format in any software. But also, I started writing in word, so anything is better lmao. I say, get the one that makes sense financially and for your writing phase, right?

[@judichristopher4604]

@@PikaLeeMedia Question: 1) Are you a Professional Writer that writes Screenplays? 2) Have YOU sold a screenplay? 3) Are you wanting to Sell a Screenplay in the future?

[@dirbyozz]

Anything that isn't fully featured is a complete non-starter. If you can pirate Final Draft, DO IT. I don't recommend ANY "free" software because 1. They often restrict you to 1-3 projects at their free tier and can only be bypassed by PAYING (this includes revisions of your already existing scripts in certain cases) 2. Features that are just basic commodities are also restricted unless you pay 3. Many of them try to be a swiss army knife for filmmakers, and thus, the screenwriting element isn't always the focus of these companies (meaning new features/updates for this part of the software will always take a backseat to the other elements like storyboarding)

[@Danielle_Visuals]

Hahaha yes. For me if I'm creating a very, simple screenplay without a lot of whatever complexity, I just use Microsoft Word. Then I format everything myself hahaha😂

[@judichristopher4604]

​@@Danielle_Visuals HA HA... will be your last laugh. Then what You are saying is: You are ONLY writing to be writing and NOT writing it as a Professional Screenplay. Because the Professionals that will Buy a screenplay will NOT buy someone's screenplay that they formatted themselves! Final Draft is the Leading Software for screenplay. Use the "Free" screenplay formats that latter charge you anyway... IF you want to be a professional Screenwriter... the ACT like a Professional Screenwriter and USE what the Professional Screenwriters use... They DO NOT use the Freebies.

[@Danielle_Visuals]

@@judichristopher4604 don't be angry lol

[@judichristopher4604]

@@Danielle_Visuals Angry? I am not angry... at all.

[@ohthesarcasticone]

I bought it as a student on discount and I think that's the best way until you're a paid professional, otherwise use free tools

[@michaelmartinez7414]

Yup, it's just like people who play dfs They purchase supposed professional optimizers and think it's only a matter of time before the money roles in!!!

[@Kaiyah_the_writer]

Thank you so much ma'am 🙈, it's really helpful

[@Marcussanders-sw3wn]

Can you make a video about controversial dialogue. Thank you

[@PikaLeeMedia]

Oh, interesting. I may not be the best source, since my writing is not typically controversial topics. Are you looking for tips on how to write it better? Do you have an example of a movie that uses controversial dialogue? I’d be interested to take a look into it.

[@Marcussanders-sw3wn]

@@PikaLeeMedia pulp fiction when Tarantino uses the n word in the kitchen.

[@michaelhelms2378]

I love Final Draft. And I don't know anyone who has ever said you NEED Final Draft in order to write well. It also happens to save a ton of time to have an industry-standard software.

[@devinthomasfilm]

Final Draft or bust.

[@judichristopher4604]

"Amen Brother... Amen"

[@DanielDuhon]

Do you NEED Final Draft? Not really, BUT, it is definitely the best one I have used. If you can get the education discount, it is definitely worth the $100.

[@Greed_The_Avaricious]

hi, every thing has an expire date and writer duet has only on day, please mention couple free softwares.

[@Lolslss]

It's like if you think that you will became a great writer for having Microsoft Word.

[@aavishaikh1991]

which is good app for screenwriter , reply

[@AnimadeArts]

Arc studio is not free

[@PikaLeeMedia]

Arc Studio has a free plan when you create an account. You get a limit of two scripts you can save to their platform, no features besides formatting! 👍 If you try to use the advanced features or use the software outside of their browser version, there is a subscription fee sadly.

[@AnimadeArts]

@@PikaLeeMedia I downloaded it

[@PikaLeeMedia]

Ah, I see! You should be good to go signing in on the web browser instead and writing there with a free subscription.

[@mr_red13]

Would iA Writer be a good software to use for screenwriting?

[@PikaLeeMedia]

I’m actually not familiar with iA Writer. I’ll have to look into it! If it’s a word text editor and it has the features you’re looking for, I’d say go for it and try to customize the margins to screenplay formatting. If you want to take that work away from yourself and have a clean distraction free space, try Arc Studio or Scrivener.

[@pitchitrichards]

We should listen to you because ….. ? You’ve sold how many scripts?

[@gianfrancodesposito8153]

We pay when you can crack?