Product Description

Use your creative energy to focus on the content; let Final Draft take care of the style. Final Draft is the number-one selling word processor specifically designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics and stage plays. It combines powerful word processing with professional script formatting in one self-contained, easy-to-use package. There is no need to learn about script formatting rules - Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards as you write.
Final Draft 7 combines powerful word processing with professional script formatting in one all-purpose screenwriting tool. Use your creative energy to create the story that burns inside you. Final Draft handles the technical details - all you have to supply is the heart. Format Assistant checks for and fixes common errors - missing dialogue, extra spaces, blank elements etc. Break down your Final Draft scripts to their fundamental components and export them with the Tagger tool No more retyping your scripts over and over -- export them to PDF format and share them with anyone Built-in Script Registry - online WGAw registry service helps you protect your scripts Import/Export from any word processor New Index Card functions new stand-alone application that enables you to tag elements of a script [cast, costumes, props, etc.] and export the results into any movie scheduling software. Created with the help of veteran assistant directors, producers and unit production managers, Tagger means no more going over a paper script again and again with highlighters. Over 2 Dozen new templates Customizable Reports Format Assistant Improved Final Draft Courier Font

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #980 in Software
• Brand: Final Draft, Inc.
• Released on: 2004-04-01
• Platforms: Mac OS X, Windows Me, Macintosh, Windows NT 4, Windows XP, Windows 2000
• Format: CD-ROM
• Dimensions: 1.25" h x 5.25" w x 7.75" l, .48 pounds

Features

• Word processing combined with professional script formatting; designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics, and stage plays
• No need to learn about script formatting rules--automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards as you write
• 100-percent cross-platform compatibility; easily import/export files, and collaborate on a script with other Final Draft users anywhere in the world via the Internet
• 50+ television show, movie and stageplay templates are included, complete with characters and locations
• Text to speech--have your script read back to you by assigning different voices to your characters

Amazon.com
You have a story to tell. Use Final Draft to write it. Use your creative energy to focus on the content; let Final Draft take care of the style. Final Draft is the number-one selling word processor specifically designed for writing movie scripts, television episodics and stage plays.

Final Draft Testimonials "My entire writing staff uses Final Draft. Even if you don't own a computer, I recommend buying Final Draft." J.J. Abrams--Writer / Director / Producer What do other Hollywood professionals have to say about Final Draft? View testimonials (PDF format).

It combines powerful word processing with professional script formatting in one self-contained, easy-to-use package. There is no need to learn about script formatting rules--Final Draft automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards as you write.

Key Features

100% Cross-Platform
Final Draft scripts are identical on both Windows and Macintosh platforms and can easily be exchanged between both.

Import/Export
Files from any word processor can be imported easily, no need to re-type your script. Export to multiple file formats (including PDF) to easily and securely share scripts with anyone.

Script Registry
Final Draft is a preferred file format and the only scriptwriting software with an authorized agreement with the WGAW online registry service.

Production Features
Handles production functions with ease, including scene numbering, A and B pages, multiple revisions, character sides and specialized reports.

Tagger
A separate application that enables you to break down Final Draft scripts into their various elements and export them into any scheduling software.

ScriptCompare
Dynamically compares two scripts and highlights any changes, allowing you to easily see the differences from one file to the next.

Templates
Over 50 television show, movie and stageplay templates are included, complete with characters and locations.

ScriptCompare examines two scripts and displays their differences. Click to enlarge.

A template is a reusable document that contains all of the attributes of the script type that you want to write: element settings, page layout, header and footer, mores and continueds, title page, SmartType lists and macros. A number of script and TV templates are included with Final Draft. Click to enlarge.

ScriptNotes are pop-up windows which can contain ideas, suggestions, notes or script fragments without taking up space in the script. Click to enlarge.

Guidance, tips and insights are available from scriptwriting expert Syd Field, veteran television writer Larry Brody and accomplished playwright Jon Dorf. Click to enlarge.

Format Assistant
Checks your script for common formatting errors, such as missing dialogue, extra spaces, carriage returns and blank elements.

ScriptNotes
Pop-up windows which can hold ideas, notes, suggestions or scene fragments without taking up space onscreen.

CollaboWriter
Write, edit and discuss a script with other Final Draft users in real time, over the internet, anywhere in the world

Text to Speech
Have your script read back to you by assigning different voices to your characters. It's like having a live script reading in your computer. Click here for more info

Ask the Expert
An interactive problem-solver with legendary screenwriting teacher Syd Field, television writer Larry Brody, playwright Jon Dorf and WGAW's The Creative Rights Handbook.

What's new in Version 7

The next step in the evolution of screenwriting software. Final Draft is now an even more powerful writing tool that allows you to write and see your script in a variety of new ways.

The Panels System
Like most writers, you probably need to keep a lot of things at the front of your mind while you're writing: How does the Act 3 argument scene you're writing today connect to the argument scene in Act 1? Where should the first-kiss scene go? How many scenes are in the chase sequence? What are the plot points in Act 3? Like no other screenwriting program, Final Draft 7 can show you what you need to see while you're writing.

You can split your screen into separate panels and view your script pages in one panel and index cards in the other. If you enable the new Navigator panel [a consolidated, linear, top-to-bottom list of the Scene Headings] you can simply double-click on a scene heading and Final Draft will jump to that scene in the script panel.

Or view Page 3 of the script in one panel and Page 66 in another, side-by-side or stacked for easy viewing.

New Index Cards
For years Final Draft users have relied on the Scene Navigator as a quick map of their script. We've kept this tried-and-true tool but added a whole new dimension of functionality: Now every card has TWO sides and you can write on one of them! The Script side works just the way you're used to in Scene Navigator but the Summary side lets you type in development ideas, notes, sequence or act markers, comments, locations, blocking... anything you need to build and organize your story. And the text you type into the Summary Cards will appear as under the Scene Headings in the Navigator, so you can always see where you are in the story.

To put it simply, brainstorming, structuring, writing and rewriting your script will be a lot easier when you have with this comprehensive, interactive overview at your command.

Tagger
A new stand-alone application that enables you to "tag" elements of a script [cast, costumes, props, etc.] and export the results into any movie scheduling software. Created with the help of veteran assistant directors, producers and unit production managers, Tagger means no more going over a paper script again and again with highlighters.

With the Panel System, Final Draft 7 can show you what you need to see while you're writing. Click to enlarge.

Brainstorming, structuring, writing and rewriting your script will be a lot easier with new index card functionality at your command. Click to enlarge.

Tagger is a new stand-alone application that enables you to "tag" elements of a script [cast, costumes, props, etc.] and export the results into any movie scheduling software. Click to enlarge.

Templates
Over two dozen new templates. These include new television shows and improved screenplay and stageplay templates.

Newest templates include:

American TV:

• Arrested Development
• Boston Legal
• Cold Case
• CSI Miami
• CSI NY
• Deadwood
• Desperate Housewives
• Entourage
• Hope & Faith
• Joey
• Law And Order CI
• Lost
• The OC
• The Shield
• The Wire
• Two and a Half Men

BBC:

• Screenplay for TV
• Screenplay
• Taped Sitcom
• Three-Camera Show

New Online Template Library
Final Draft's Online Template Library allows registered users to download templates directly from www.finaldraft.com. New TV templates for Final Draft version 7 will be uploaded as they are developed. Plus, Dramatist Guild approved template coming soon.

There's More
We've also improved Final Draft's Cast List, Revision Header, PDF exporting, the Title Page, CollaboWriter and more. The "Ask the Expert" feature with screenwriting guru Syd Field has been expanded to include expertise from television writer Larry Brody, playwright Jon Dorf and WGAw's The Creative Rights Handbook.

If You're Still Using Final Draft 4 or 5...
Here are some other features you've been missing:

• Customizable Reports
• Format Assistant
• Improved Final Draft Courier Font
• Built for OS X and designed for Windows XP
• ScriptCompare
• Ability to save in [and email] Adobe PDF format
• Smart Drag and Drop
• ScriptNotes
• Updated TV Templates
• Script Registry. Final Draft is a preferred file format and the only scriptwriting software with an authorized agreement with the WGAw online registry service.

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Customer Reviews

Great.
I have been researching several products for screenwriting. I am a beginner. I do not recommend Hollywood Screenwriter due to restrictions: must have cd in drive to use, incompatible with some cut/paste features, etc.

I read the for's and against's on here and other sites; it was terribly difficult to figure out what to purchase. I want the best for my money.

I did download both Movie Magic Screen Writer and Final Draft. For my work, I found that Movie Magic had too many values to work with in it's software. Although, I enjoyed the "windows" appearance and its reports, I found that the thesaurus was limited. The names list works well.

In Final Draft, it has an exceptional thesaurus, but it has a name list that works off of letters you enter vs. Movie Magic which provides a visible name list (a little easier to use).

Both seem to work almost identically in their format method. I did prefer the side bar in Movie Magic to enter or tab "dialouge," "transition," etc. Final Draft does do a find job of handling it and the "mores and continueds" work accordingly.

OVERALL, I came to the same conclusion that one rater has come to. You have to find which software works for you. They are both good.

I chose Final Draft and bought it from J&R Music because its interface is simple, it's easy on my eyes and the cost was relative. There's little clutter. I want to focus on my script and not the drop down with 9 or 10 items on it (yes, FD has one like that too).

To make either product out as a "bad" choice is silly. The developers of those products are math folks working to bring a screenwriting program for liberal arts folks into the market and make it functional.

That's a difficult chore, but I think they did a good job. My choice was Final Draft, because it's no nonsense, straight forward and functional.

Hopefully, some of these details helped you and best wishes getting your script out!

Break the chain
I have never written a review of anything in my life. When Final Draft 7 crashed for the umpteenth time today, I felt compelled to. I am a working screenwriter who has been using Final Draft since version 5. All told, six years. Whatever bug that caused FD6 to randomly crash in OSX HAS NOT been fixed, despite what Final Draft says. At least in Final Draft 7 the crash doesn't render my file "incompatable with this version of Final Draft" -- if any of you out there have had that happen, I deeply pity you, as you understand what it's like to be that maze-bound rat that randomly receives electric shocks.

Throw in the fact that this product is edging toward $250.00 (nearly as much as digital video editing programs), the fact that customer support costs $2.00 a minute -- you heard me right, $2.00 a minute to ask them ANYTHING, no matter how small -- and you get a clear impression of a company that peddles severely inferior software becuase they know they have the market locked. This is, however, NOT THE CASE. 25% of people that use screenwriting apps DO NOT USE FINAL DRAFT, becuase there are vastly superior programs out there. As of today, I am a proud member of the 25%.

Thanks to easy .pdf file conversion, anyone can use any screenwriting app they like.

Those that for some reason do decide to purchase this product, I implore you to change your preferences so you auto-save every five minutes, as this is the only way you won't lose a day's work, a week's work -- or God forbid, if don't back up your files -- an entire script.

Useful, but flawed
Final Draft 7 is a nice piece of software. It is easy to use and it has a number of nice features (my favorite: assigning voices to characters and listening to the program read your script). This application really streamlines the process of writing a script, which is nice. You don't need to worry about wasting time formating. It's all automated.

Now to the bad stuff. This program is riddled with bugs. It crashes very frequently. I can't tell you how annoying it is to be intensely involved with your work only to have Final Draft crash on you, destroying pages of unsaved work. If you get this program then you will find yourself in the habit of pressing ctrl+S (save) every few lines.

Overall, Final Draft 7 is a useful, but flawed program. There's no denying its ease of use in crafting screenplays, but it can also be a major headache when it crashes.