Free Screenwriting Software - Screenwriting Tips 4

Here, you'll find a guide to several kinds of free screenwriting software that can help you write a movie script in the right format. This is Part 5 of the CWN series on how to write a screenplay. Click here to go to Part 1 of the series. At the bottom of the page, you'll also find links to related pages with screenwriting tips and more free screenplay software options.

Format your screenplay with free software

The fastest way to format a screenplay is to let a software do it for you. Fortunately for starving artists, there are many free tools out there to choose from.

Word Templates

If you're a Microsoft Word user, you can download screenwriting templates for Word from the Microsoft Office website. These are templates, so they don't do anything except help you format your screenplay. They won't organize your project, help you collaborate with other screenwriters, or make your coffee. On the other hand, they will format that screenplay and they'll do it in Word, which you probably already know how to use.


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Page 2 Stage

Page 2 Stage describe their software as "the screenwriter's word processor." You can download it from their website. You need to enter a login and password to unlock it, but these are provided openly on the website. The software is free, and the Page 2 Stage website makes it abundantly clear that they really, really, really do not intend to provide user support for something they're not making money on. Fair enough.

Celtx

If you like bells and whistles, this one has bells and whistles galore. On the plus side, whatever you want your free screenwriting software to do, Celtx probably does it. In addition to formatting your screenplay, it has tools for organizing related documents, storyboarding, saving notes on virtual index cards, and so on. You can work offline and backup your script online so that if your computer crashes, your script will survive. For a small upgrade fee, you also get access to interesting collaboration tools. On the other hand, the down side of a more muscular software is that it can sometimes take longer to get oriented and learn how to use everything. You can watch a video tour of Celtx's features here.

More free screenwriting software options

Click here to go to read about Zhura, Plotbot, Scripped, and ScriptBuddy screenwriting software.

Keep reading about how to write a screenplay

Please click on one of the links below:

Go to Part 1 of the series on how to write a movie script

See all CWN pages on how to write a screenplay




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