Switching Software: Final Draft to Movie Magic?

[Chuck58]

I wondered what that Tagger thing was in FD. I used FD 7 for just a few days and never did check that feature.

I went back to MM2000, which I still have on my desktop. I'll probably continue to use it for as long as the desktop lasts. MM6 is on my laptop and is getting 100% of the use lately.

Final Draft obviously has something going for it. It's used by many well known screenwriters who, if FD wasn't working, would long ago have moved to some other software.

In the end, it's personal preference and small features, such as the autocorrect feature in Movie Magic that I like, along with the way things are set up in the toolbar. Someone else might hate the way MM is arranged.

As I said before, stick with what works for you. Quite frankly, I love MM2000 and upgrading to MM6 was totally unnecessary. I'm glad I did, but I can think of a dozen other things I could have used the money for, like gasoline, food, cigarettes, etc.

[rnbrewer]

I to have to taken to prudicing my own films as of late. I do find the "reports" feature handy in FD. But I'm still getting used to the other features (which is in contrast to my other post on this thread, but I promise you I JUST started learning the features). Final Draft does come with the "FD Tagger" software too which can be used to color code and help break down scene specific elements for shooting scripts and various departments. For instance you color code all SFX in red then hand it over to the FX department so they can start putting it all together. It's a handy little tool for the aspiring filmmaker.

[uncle_al]

Since I've gotten more into writing to shoot my own, I find the "extra features" like production breakdowns and tagging elements a plus.

I haven't given the demo for MMS 6 a workout yet, but I have FD 7, and use it pretty much for the whole thing at this point.  I may change my mind as things develop, but that's how it stands right now.

Cheers!
Al B.

[Chuck58]

rnbrewer said, "A lot of those extra features are mostly used for production purposes. If, and when I sell a script and they ask me to stay on as the writer I'll probably delve a little further into the features so I can be in sync with the professional standards required for the job,"

I've played with them a little, a very little, and should the day ever come it'll be almost like learning screenwriting all over again. BUT, should that magical day happen, I'll sure figure out what's needed.

Actually, in regards the actual screenplay, the extra things, 'MORE,' 'CUT TO,' and all are in the shooting scripts I've read, so at least they're not completely alien. Going beyond that, they'd better have someone holding my hand and walking me through it.

[Thomas]

The only bad news in this is that now I am not sure I can justify the expense of buying MMS.

I bought it, I LOVE it.  Two comics scripts left to write on FD and then it is MMS for the foreseeable future.

[rnbrewer]

I have to agree with Chuck here. I have been using FD for about five years now. I actually wrote a review of FD8 on the forum here and I must say, the improvements weren't great, but there were some. Personally I've only ever used Final Draft, mostly because I see no realy reason to trade up. It does what I want it to do which is format scripts properly. Auto Correct would be a nice feature to have, but I can't see myself shelling out more money just for one feature. To be honest, chances are I will probably NEVER use all of the features FD has to offer. A lot of those extra features are mostly used for production purposes. If, and when I sell a script and they ask me to stay on as the writer I'll probably delve a little further into the features so I can be in sync with the professional standards required for the job, but until then they're just useless features to me. Pick what works for you and your wallet.

[Chuck58]

That's easy. If FD will do what you want, ask yourself if you need Movie Magic. If your answer is no, then why buy it?

I do only screenplays, and MM6 does it better for me than Final Draft. I know some people who love Celtx. I find it cumbersome. Use what works for you, and learn all you can about it. I could spend the next five years with MM and not learn all it can do, or Final Draft. Both are very good and are the motion picture standard. Pick the one you're comfortable with and go with it.

[Thomas]

Maybe one of yew can help me with the main problem I am having with FD?  Scrolling the document is distorting the type.  I am using a computer on a 37 inch hi def TV to write.  That is all I use that particular computer for.  If I scroll the FD document, the text of the document becomes distorted.  At first I wondered if it might be the TV doing it, but then I saw on the net others have had the same thing happen.  I am also wondering if 8.0.01 fixes this?  I can't find a revision history anywhere on the FD site. 

Looks like I found a solution to this.  Much to my surprise, the FD support people were extremely NICE to me!  (Yes they were!)

If any of yew are having the font problem...

What was happening was I had the view set to script - page mode.  Then I set the zoom to fit-to-width, because why waste screen space, yes? 

The problem was that when I was zooming to fit the width of my screen, the zoom went to 159% and it was not the FD software that had problems with that, it was the font that was unable to render at 159%.  It wasn't a bug, it was mathematics.

So the support guy, without charging me anything, asked me a mess of questions and then suggested I try setting the zoom at 150% instead of 159% and the problem was solved.  Losing only 9% of the screen space is most tolerable for what I get in return, and in this case, it is not the fault of FD.

The only bad news in this is that now I am not sure I can justify the expense of buying MMS.

[Chuck58]

Why did I remove it? I had tried the FD7 prior to buying MM6.

I downloaded FD8 to see what the improvements were, and because something told me it might be advisable to have both MM and FD. Frankly, I saw GUI differences in FD that were beneficial, but as far as putting words on the page, I preferred Movie Magic.

So, rather than plunk down another $150 bucks for something I'd probably seldom use, I removed FD and am sticking with Movie Magic. Now, if a producer or production company should tell me they want my script and want it in FD, I'll have it on my computer in a heartbeat. I've yet to see any companies or producers that specify one software or the other. Doubtless, they're out there, though.

[Thomas]

I can say that in the short time I had FD on my computer, I never had any problems with distortion of type. That's about the extent of any help I can give.

Then why did yew remove it?  What was it about the software that yew didn't like?

[Chuck58]

There are FD users here. Maybe one of them can chime in. I don't have Final Draft on my computer. I did download and very briefly trial the older version of 8 a few months ago, but soon removed it and went back to MM6.

I can say that in the short time I had FD on my computer, I never had any problems with distortion of type. That's about the extent of any help I can give.

[Thomas]

I prefer MMS 6 as well.

Regarding the templates ... are you sure you can't make your own? You might also check with their support people and inquire but be sure that you explain in detail what you want to do so they'll have a clear picture.

Yes yew can make your own.  But unlike FD, they don't allow color.  I had fun creating a comic book template in FD using various colors and I think it worked out well, considering the scripts were for comics.  FD also allows yew to define your own name for elements, I didn't see that in MMS.  For instance, in the comic template, I created an element called, "Panel" - which of course was for (duh) panels.

I downloaded the version 6 demo, but I do wish they'd give us more than 5 days!

Maybe one of yew can help me with the main problem I am having with FD?  Scrolling the document is distorting the type.  I am using a computer on a 37 inch hi def TV to write.  That is all I use that particular computer for.  If I scroll the FD document, the text of the document becomes distorted.  At first I wondered if it might be the TV doing it, but then I saw on the net others have had the same thing happen.  I am also wondering if 8.0.01 fixes this?  I can't find a revision history anywhere on the FD site. 

Thomas

[ScriptNurse]

I prefer MMS 6 as well.

Regarding the templates ... are you sure you can't make your own? You might also check with their support people and inquire but be sure that you explain in detail what you want to do so they'll have a clear picture.

[Chuck58]

I've tried FD and have MM6. I much ... vastly ... unquestionably prefer Movie Magic. I like everything about Movie Magic, including the almost Word like way it corrects spelling errors. I type pretty fast, faster sometimes than my fingers work, so transpose letters in some words. MM6, like Word fixes that, thus saving time.

Other than that, I feel that MM6 is the total package. FD seems incomplete by comparison. Although FD probably has all the same features, they seem easier to locate in MM. It's very well set up with things where they're supposed to be rather than feeling cobbled together, which is how I view FD.

Just from the perspective of a very satisfied MM6 user, I don't think you'll be sorry. As far as bugs, I've used MM for 10 months now and have never had so much as a hiccup from the program. It just works, and works very well on my laptop, my desktop and my wife recently installed it on her computer. You get 3 installations with MM. Also, look around. You can find deals that include a couple of other CDs of bonus features and other things. I got my copy for under $150 including those bonuses.

Again, very, VERY happy with Movie Magic Screenwriter 6.

[Thomas]

I found FD at a decent price and I bought it but I am somewhat unhappy with it because it has so many bugs.  I am using 8.0 version.  I also have Hollywood Screenwriter, but I am unhappy with that as well because yew can't make templates and also it requires the CD be in the drive.

Sooooooo....

Has ennyone here made the switch from FD to MMS?  I am seriously pondering this and looking to get some reviews from those who have already done it.  Are yew happier with MMS?  The interface looks to be much nicer.  I love the tabs.  

Having both (as I will) I would think would be a benefit anyway.  I could accommodate either program when it comes to submitting.

I have seen here that some of yew wonder how FD looks in PDF.  I have some examples of this.  Click here...

http://comicscripts.thomasamckean.com

...the outlines were written with StoryView 2.0 and the scripts were written in FD 8.0 using a template I created myself.  Both were ported to PDF, as yew can see.

If enny of yew have switched from FD to MMS, please respond and let me know how it went.  I am interested.