Switching Software: Final Draft to Movie Magic?

[uncle_al]

Hey, people!  I'm ba-a-a-a-ck!
The University experience was valuable for one thing... to see which software I don't want to use. 
Many of the faculty favor Celtx, especially because it's free... the U doesn't pay them for software they buy.  Despite the "improvements" and new features Celtx has added, I still don't care for it.

FD 7, which I have owned for a few years, is the one I still use mostly.  I have a copy of MM2K, which I use from time to time, but I still prefer FD 7.

It's all a matter of taste.

It's much like whether you use Windows, a Mac, or Linux/Unix/BSD... whatever floats your boat.

Cheers!
Al B.

[ScriptNurse]

I have used MMS 5/6 for several years now and greatly prefer it over Final Draft.  One plus, most scheduling and budgeting software can import a tagged MMS 6 script, which producers LOVE.  One such producer just requested the script file to do a preliminary budget for investors and was thrilled that we furnished it in MMS 6.  They are also working on a new version, but the release date has not been announced.  I recommend you make your purchase through The Writers Store ... see the link at the bottom of the page.

[Caffiend]

I'll be retiring shortly, and have been playing with story lines in my mind for years.  So I'm anxious to learn the craft and see if my ideas have merit and market appeal.

It comes down to Final Draft or Movie Magic.  Quite a few reviewers on Amazon damned FD for bugs, but they were clustered around 2009, when (I  gather) FD8 came out.

I'm interested in members' recommendations for software for a neophyte.  I'm a Boomer, with (if I may say so) good writing and literature skills, but the tech aspects will be a pretty steep learning curve for me.  I plan on writing screenplays, but some of my story lines may work better on stage or as novels.  And my adult son has ambitions for graphic novels, games, traditional comics, and anime.  If I ever get something produced, my son--an illustrator--would like to get involved in storybooking and promotional material.

I turn in the office keys (figuratively) at the end of May.  At that point, I'd like to have my software installed and to have gotten the knack of it all.

Any thoughts and recommendations for a not-yet-over-the-hill newbie, folks?

[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