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Sophocles screenwriting software
Hi:
Has anyone heard anything new about Tim Sheehan and Sophocles? Can someone tell me who the nice gentleman is with Done Deal who said to coontact him with any questions?
with appreciation,
Love to help you out but no word. We've got a lot of ears to the ground including a contact in SF but nothing has surfaced.
Best we can figure the sale was made to take the software off the market. Whoever bought it better never show his face because I understand there's a whole buncha writers gunning for the SOB.
Sorry for the rant. If I hear anything I'll let you know.
Brent
There are several threads over on the Done Deal discussion board about Sophocles. ComicBent attempted to contact Sheehan but received no answer.
And yes, a lot of us writers would like to have a moment of Sheehan's time and get some questions answered.
Kat
Kat:
Apparently, you can still get all the info. about it via its help menus. Do you have the '07 beta version? Someone here at Storylink answered some questions for me. If I can you or anyone else re: Sophocles, let me know. If I can't answer, I'll ask the person who I've been in touch with.
Have you explored all of Sophocles yet? You can download a free virtual pdf printer which will decrypt .scp and download at Adobe or Microsoft Wordviewer or whichever software you have for it. I like Adobe beccause they have added an email option, so if you want to send it to a competition, agent, consultant,prodco or a friend you can do it from Adobe.
Let me know how you do.
Another Storylink newbie screenwriter
Mary Eliz.
If you've read the posts over at DoneDeal, you'll know I was the one who started the Is Sophocles Gone?? thread. I purchased the program on March 21 and by April 9th the site was gone (as was Mr. Sheehan). I am currently using the Beta and loving it. Of course, if I suffer a hard drive crash, then....well...I'm sol since there is no way to get a new validation.
I also have MM6, but the Sophocles Beta blows it out of the water. Would truly love to know the truth about what happened. At least, I'm over being a bit POed over the 120 bucks I spent. But, I still like to have some answers as to why he took my money, especially if he knew a sale was pending or he was going to shut down.
Kat
Kat:
You still have the unlock code, right? You can put it on another computer and have Sophocles on both. If you don't have another computer you can save it on a peripheral drive or maybe even a flash drive or memory card in case something does happen with your computer, God forbid.
Does anyone know about using a flash drive or memory card to back up info. like a code, files? I don't know why a peripheral hard drive wouldn't work, anyone else? How else do you or computer techs. transfer data from one hard drive to a new one when you have to replace, upgrade your hard drive?
Kat:
How long have you been a screenwriter? Have you submitted anything to any competitions?
take care,
Been dabling with screenplays for about 7 years. Written 3 or 4 - one that I am kinda proud of. It's currently submitted in the Nicholl, but I'm not holding my breath. I've been writing for the better part of my adult life and have a couple of dozen short stories that have been published and I write web articles now to pay the bills.
The problem with Sophocles is that each time you install it - it gives a different key code, which means you have to have a new validation code each time. Other than cloning the entire hard drive, I don't see how else to move it from one computer to another.
Anyway, pleased to meet ya!
Kat
You should be able to take the unlock code given to you when you purchased it and put it on one other computer. Have you tried?
Nicholl competition eh? I have a screenplay at one competition, not expecting accolades-but, healthy, polite critique. I also have an original sitcom with a competition.
Let'ss wish us luck!
Mary,
Yep, I've tried. Even tried copying the entire directory from one computer to another, but it still didn't work. But that's okay, I'll move to MM6 when the time comes.
And much good luck to you also - let me know if you win.
Kat
The problem with the key code is that it's formulated by some algorithm that looks at the hard drive and produces a code based on some information it reads from it.
I recently had to get another laptop and although I bought the same model it had a different hard drive and therefore required another key code. The interesting thing is, however, when I removed the hard drive from the old laptop and put it in the new one, voila, Sophocles worked. This means it doesn't look at the machine (I don't think).
Given this, if you were able to get a hard drive that is exactly like the one you now have installed, you may be able to clone the current drive and copy it to the new one and use it without a new code.
Worth a shot
Brent
Hi:
Ok, I believe this should solve the problem. if you open the original email with the unlock code from Ti or associates, you should still be able to open install Sophocles on your other computer too- if you still hopefully have it.
Brent:
Anyway you can check for new owner if there is one? Try a water 'Bazooka'-
gets your frustrations out yet, harmlesss! :)
Ladies & Gentlemen!
I've been with Sophocles since 2003 and yes, I am pissed!
After surfing the blogs, I have limited positive responses to the responsible PARTIES! I feel like I purchased a car only to have the dealer sale it to someone else and now, not only is he gone, but the entire car lot is gone!
Anyway, I have not seen anything in all the blogs to protect from a system crash... which would be devestating considering that Sophocles is the only program to read its format, or am I wrong?
The issue is backing up your old work along with your present work in a format that will allow you to at least access.
Go to Software995.com
Here you will find software that converts all documents and files to PDF for FREE! Additionally, check out their OMNI program that allows you to work with documents regardless the format.
I hesitated on revealing this, lest the C sucking, money hungry, SOB who bought the contract decides to buy this site.
It is a scary thought knowing that you could lose your work simply because S. didn't notify us and/or offer the execute file.
MIFFED!
btw: Author of CALVARY: HELL'S SEED
Perhaps this will help:1) You can export Sophoceles as HTML, PDF, a RTF (readable in Word page view), and plain text.2) You can backup by saving to another file in any of these formats, including of course, the native Sophoceles format. 3)You can (I believe) export the executible file to any other computer because it is not a self-extracting setup. And, probably import the orginal format directly into a variety of other proprietary software applications-- although I admit I haven't tried this...yet.
Don't give up. And, I still would like to know the REAL story behind this travesty.
I'm not sure what the story behind all this trouble is, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have happened with Final Draft, Movie Magic, or Montage.
I hope none of you lose your files -- I don't even want to imagine the frustration. Good luck!
PS: If any of you on this message board do decide to switch over to something with more longevity, call me at the Store and I will extend my employee discount on a full version of Final Draft to you.
Yes, thank you Mario! So far, everything 's ok with Sophocles.
Sounds pretty frustrating what you all are going through. Have any of you tried to contact your credit card company for a refund? If you bought the software with certain expectations that were not met and you were unable to resolve them with the company, sometimes your credit card company can get you a refund.
I will also add, for better or for worse, you will eventually have to use either Final Draft or Movie Magic if you intend on seriously pursuing screenwriting. They are both the Industry standards and can't be avoided. Sometimes they both offer competitive upgrades that may also help you recoup a little of what you already spent. Although, Mario's generous offer may be hard to beat.
Mary eliz perhaps you could help me with a sophocles question.
Do you know if there is an option is sophocles 2007 to print the script with the notes? I know there is an option to print the notes seperately.
Also is there an option to highlight text?
I doubt about either being in there. I went through the entire help menu.
Thanks
This is become one of the greatest screenwriting software mysteries of the 21st century. Whatever happened to Tim. I emailed him on numerous occasions. Build 64 specifically squashed a bug I reported to him, and he fixed it within 2 days. I hope that at least Tim is ok and in good health and financial shape. I would hate to see sophocles bought out just to be buried by all the other lesser companies.
As for those who invested in the software. I am also sorry. Hopefully in time this will get explained and you will get some type of compensation. hopefully in the form of sophocles 2008 final :)
Chris:
Sorry to say, I don't know about any options like that. But, John Woodruff might. He posted something about this - should be in this group.
But, I do like what you said about this situation with Sophocles has beccome the greatest software mystery of the 21st century! It sounds like it would be a good premise for a movie! comedy......
If I discover anything, I will let you know.
Chris:
John Woodruff posted something about Sophecles and maybe being able to help.
I can speak to the highlighting feature. It is not present. I always wished it had been.
I don't know about the notes.
Sorry.
Brent
RE: movies, has anyone ever written one with someone else from a web screenwriting group?
Also, it would be nice if Final Draft etc. would offer payment plans. That's one of the things I like about Sophocles. sob, sob. At least we still have it.
I collaborated with three other writers on a high concept action thriller. It turned out pretty good but two of the writers faded away with subsequent rewrites.
I and the other writer still work on it when we can get together.
It's a worthwhile learning experience BUT you must be especially certain that the person you write with is compatible with you in MOST ways. It's somewhat like a marriage in that you may have your differences but you always have a way to get to common ground.
If you want to write with someone, interview your prospective partner and assure yourself of a solid compatibility up front and then draw up some sort of guideline to which you both agree to honor. If you get far enough to complete a script, register it and copyright it as co-authors to protect your mutual interests. It's a business partnership, after all.
Brent
Thank you Brent! That is very helpful information. I write mostly comedy. I started out writing a pilot for a sitcom yrs. ago and got into short sketch comedy in '05. but, I have some ideas for a action movie like but, would definitely need to cowrite it with someone.
My first attempt at a screenplay-feature length- was only 78 pages long. I'll get back to it eventually. It needs plenty of work. But, I just finished a pilot for another sitcom that I submitted to a competition last month.
I'm also making notes, trying to write characters, choose names for a short dramatic/comedic art film about a group of friends who went to school together, events over years. That's a loose description.
Do you stick with action? I favor those over chick flicks these days unless it's done very well.