As I was packing for a recent trip home, I decided it would be a good challenge to create a story on route to the airport and then write the screenplay on the plane.

It’s an interesting challenge as I wanted to make up something new and have a fully developed short screenplay by the time I landed.

Then I had another idea…

I thought it would be a unique idea to document it with my iPhone as my journey would include virtually every major form of transportation.

• It began with a bus ride to the subway station.
• I then had to transfer to a different subway.
• Once I left the transit system, I got a little lost. (I’ve never flown from Toronto Island before.)  So I took a cab to the airport.
• Then I got on a boat and made the short 5 minute trip across a canal.
• From there I checked in and boarded my plane home.
• Thanks to my iPhone, I’ve got video of the entire journey.

How did it go?

I’m happy to report I did in fact come up with a story called Cross Town.  By the time the plane was taking off, I had my iPhone in hand using the Scripts Pro app.

I’ll have more on the screenplay, the documentary and the journey in a bit!

Video included

Stay tuned…

In the mean time, check out Mobile Screenwriting Round Up.

Recently, I’ve been writing a series of 3 page screenplays while riding the subway to work.

Using my iPhone and Scripts Pro, I’ve been creating little episodes of a series I call:

After

To date, I’ve completed 3 chapters of the series and I’ve been having a blast.

It’s essentially an experiment I came up with the night I watched the gigantic and entertaining finale to Lost.  (Though it took a while to get started.)

I wanted to test myself to see if I could develop a mystery on my own and create interesting characters around it.

Call it practice.  Call it an assignment.

I call it something fun to do instead of staring at strange people on the train.

AFTER is a horror story that begins after a couple dies and find themselves wandering a strange forest.  Eventually, they find their way to a cabin and a truly horrific discovery.

I honestly think the villain in this story will give people nightmares.

I’m also enjoying the format in which I’m telling the story.

3 page scripts.  Each ending with a cliffhanger.

Maybe it will become a web series some day.  Perhaps the story can be adapted into a feature later on.  I could always take these chapters and use them as an outline.  The options are limitless.

For now, I’m simply focusing on telling the story.

Writing little 3 page screenplays is a great way to stay sharp and challenge your creativity.

Why not?

Do you have a commute or some down time?  You don’t need necessarily need an iPhone but you can always be working on something.

Why not write something new and spontaneous.  You’ve got nothing to lose.

That’s what I find cool about 3 page screenplays. They may not turn into much but for me it’s all about writing.

It’s what I love to do!

Finally a high quality screenwriting app for my iPhone has arrived.

Scripts Pro

This is the third screenwriting app I’ve tried.  The first was Screenplay by Black Mana which I thought was decent considering it was the first.  Next I tried ScriptWrite and couldn’t really get a handle on it.

When I compared the two it was clear that both had some good ideas but mobile screenwriters out there were missing a golden app that put it all together.

Until Scripts Pro came along and got it right!

It is by far the best screenwriting solution on the iPhone.  It supports multiple formats for both importing and exporting as well as a clean and easy to use interface.  But I’ve seen these features before.  It was the TAB button that sold me on Scripts Pro…

Screenwriters finally have a TAB option in an iPhone APP!

Anyone who has every written a screenplay knows the significance of the TAB function.  It allows you to easily switch between different elements of the screenplay.  Literally every major program out there utilizes this system.  (Movie Magic, Final Draft, Celtx etc…)

Finally seeing it in an screenwriting app is fantastic news because it’s hard enough to type quickly on an iPhone.  It really isn’t meant to allow you to write full screenplays but it does allow you to get down your ideas wherever you are. 

It helps to have an app that makes it as easy as possible to do so.

Note: Nothing says you CAN’T write a full script with an iPhone.  I just prefer a full size keyboard when inspiration really hits.

Smart Type!

Ah Smart Type…  So useful… So easy.  Thank you for making it a part of my iPhone and making it easy to use.  Like I said, typing isn’t simple on small touch screen devices so every short cut helps.  The addition of smart type makes a world of difference to keep you writing uninterupted.

Scripts Pro also makes it easier to manage your scripts.  You can reorder scenes and edit them with ease.  Even capitalizing words is easier with Scripts Pro.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is the Scripts Pro app is awesome.

Mobile screenwriting is a great way to stay connected to your screenplays and this app is the best way to do it.  Whether you are writing a quick scene or working on your next potential blockbuster, this app has everything you need.

We’ve all been waiting to see the mysterious Final Draft app but honestly, I’m good for the time being. 

The developers have promised frequent updates and I’m pretty excited to see them improve an already stellar app.

It’s a 30 minute commute to work.  Scripts Pro is an instant hall of famer.

It’s well worth the 5.99 price tag.

PS: By hall of famer I mean it has a place on my home screen.

Write Anywhere

Mobile devices like iPhones and iPads are changing the way we work everyday.  There truly is an app for everything.

When I got my iPhone, it instantly tripled my productivity and I write more than ever.  Whether it’s notes, outlines, blogs or full screenplays, I now have an amazing tool on me at all times when I simply HAVE to write.

Mobile Screenwriting has definitely enhanced my life.

I’ve written about this topic several times before and I’ve decided to collect all the posts into one location.

And that location…  Is this post.

Celtx for iPhone – Review

Scripts Pro for iPhone – Review

Screenplay by Black Mana Studios – An iPhone App review.

ScriptWrite vs Screenplay – Two iPhone Apps go head to head for screenwriting dominance.

Portable Writing – A detailed look at the Apps I use to write anywhere.

iPad And The Screenwriter – A look at how the iPad will impact screenwriters everywhere.

Riding And Writing – Screenwriting on a bus.

Screenwriting: Up In The Air – Screenwriting on a plane.

Creative Ignition 3: Road Trips – Screenwriting in a car.