Final Draft VS Movie Magic Screenwriter. The software debate and other rants.

This is the type of blog that could get posted once a month. As a screenwriter (among other things) and Writers Store employee I am entrenched in the debate of which screen writing software to purchase. Is Final Draft the best? How about Movie Magic Screenwriter? What about the newbie Montage?

The often used analogy is “It's Coke versus Pepsi,” or rather they're pretty much the same thing.

I've run the table on screenwriting software. I’ve measured margins myself on a word processor, worked with Word add-ons, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Final Draft, Movie Outline, etc.

These days most people are torn between Final Draft and Movie Magic Screenwriter. The third horse in the race is Montage, a Mac only screenwriting program. (PC capability is in the works)

So how do they stack up?

Final Draft: Used by most of the industry. These days it's almost the “Michael Caine” of scriptwriting software… In more movies than not.

Movie Magic Screenwriter: Also used by major industry people. It now comes with an integrated outlining tool. It can also be activated on three computers at a time, as opposed to Final Draft's two.

Montage: The new kid on the block. It can import and export Final Draft files. My favorite feature allows you to select at will which version of a scene you want to include in the script. This allows you to save several versions of a scene with the same script instead of forcing you to save file after file of different draft versions.

So who is the best?

Sorry to disappoint you. I can't tell you because it's “Coke or Pepsi.” They all format your script according to Industry standard. They all come with preloaded templates. They all save to PDF. Once you print your script no one will have any clue which program you used.

They are all good.

I've seen people debate feverishly over which one is better and why. Here's a neat little experiment. Tell somebody you're thinking of moving but aren't sure where. Notice where they tell you to move. Near them. (unless they secretly don't like you) Ask somebody else. Probably the same result. Why should you move where they live? Why should you use the same screenwriting software they use?

Because it validates their choice.

Here's a conversation I've had in the past.

Guy "Are you a writer?"
Me "Yes, I am."
Guy "Do you use a Mac?"
Me "No, I'm on a PC."
Guy laughs at me and says "How do you write?"

This exchange had nothing to do with writing and everything with making this individual feel better about himself and how he spent his money. I could bang out a script on a typewriter if I had to. It would be annoying as hell, but I could do it.

I personally write with Final Draft. Why? No particular reason. I just do. These programs primary function is to format your script so you spend your time worrying about your story and not margins. No one has ever put down a script and said, "The story sucked, but crap if the margins weren't stupendous. Let's pass this bad boy on up the ladder."

And as much as they all do the same thing they also don't do the same thing. They do not write your movie for you. No such program exists. These programs are a tool. They are not knowledge. For that you will need to seek a book, or a program, or someone willing to tell you about the nature of theme, structure, and character. Don't be afraid to learn because your competition isn't.

So don't sweat over which screenwriting software to buy. Just pick one and write that script.

And when you're done have a coke and a smile.

Unless you like Pepsi.