Spotlight: ScriptWrite vs Screenplay
My iPhone basically tripled my productivity on a daily basis. I can write blogs, check site stats, dominate social media sites but most importantly, I can write screenplays. (Click here for more on Portable Writing)
The first screenwriting program I found on the APP Store was Screenplay by Black Mana Studios. It’s a pretty great app. It’s easy to use and supports a lot of the features I expect in a screenwriting program.
My only complaint is how every scene is treated almost as a separate script. The app lacks an option to review your entire script at once. You have to keep switching screens to load up the next scene. There’s just something strange about writing one scene at a time. There are some advantages to the system as you don’t have to scroll FOREVER to reach a specific scene. It’s a terrific way to navigate your script. All I want is the option to read it all at once. (Read my full thoughts on the app here)
Along came ScriptWrite and they understood that concept. Your entire script on one screen. It is also a disadvantage as scrolling through a giant script is annoying. It would be great if they had a scene selection system like Black Mana’s app.
Anyone who has ever typed out a screenplay uses a tab system to switch between elements. Switching is as simple as pressing ENTER or TAB. This program allows you to select an element from a list of icons.
It’s certainly not a bad system and it’s very similar to Black Mana’s app. I just prefer interface in Screenplay. ScriptWrite does get big points for being cheaper and I think it will definitely improve. I’ll be watching for updates.
It’s great to have some competition for screenwriting supremacy on the iPhone. Black Mana’s app is superior in my opinion except for one tiny complaint about how individual scenes are treated. This is something they can fix. ScriptWrite’s system may work for some writers out there but not for me. Some people will probably like it better. It’s a close call but for now, I’ll be sticking with Screenplay. Especially since it was recently announced that they have partnered with Final Draft!
Screenplay by Black Mana.
If you have an iPhone and are obsessed or even moderately interested in screenwriting, I highly recommend it.
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I’m interested but still in the early stages of adopting apps for my iPhone. As of right now all apps I use are free ones.
When it comes to screenwriting I think I might be torn on this particular issue. I like using Final Draft and sitting down and having a large screen. I have my index cards out or at least my notebook for an outline nearby. But there are many moments in my day, the few chances during my job when creative freedom reigns, where I wish I could write down the scene that’s playing in my head instead of waiting to get home. Use Notepad doesn’t cut it and I just want to exactly put down what my mind wants. Maybe I will give it a shot.
But seeing how they partnered with Final Draft how well can the two work together from an iPhone to a desktop PC?
Basically, Screenplay has full suport of Final Draft’s fdx format. It’s not the best system of importing but Screenplay’s export feature is pretty great. I use the app to get down quick scenes and ideas and then really hammer out the details once I’m in front of a full size monitor.