Are there any that do not require 'Office Word' I have 'Microsoft Works' and am looking for a Script writing program
(BTW I am an IT spaz) 
Script Writing software ?
Moving to the Writers' Discussion forum.
If you want an alternative to microsoft office, get open office. It's free, has everything you need and is compatible with all the microsoft office formats (opening and saving).
It's what I use and it does the job just as well as microsoft office.
Quote: Griff @ August 24 2008, 11:30 AM BSTYou need to get Microsoft Word. That's the format everyone expects you to send scripts in. There are alternatives like Final Draft and Celtx etc, but Word is a necessity if you're going to be a writer.
Griff, how do you set margins and centre etc on 'word'. I can never fathom it out so I have to keep doing 'space' to get my dialogue central. I do set the margins then they flirt back to normal on the next line.
I used to be able to do it on the word processor but not this.
What do I actually click on to set it so it stays as such throughout a script?
Quote: bushbaby @ August 24 2008, 11:52 AM BSTGriff, how do you set margins and centre etc on 'word'. I can never fathom it out so I have to keep doing 'space' to get my dialogue central. I do set the margins then they flirt back to normal on the next line.
I used to be able to do it on the word processor but not this.
What do I actually click on to set it so it stays as such throughout a script?
What I do BB is write over an already existing script, that way you dont have to keep formatting and if a line is good you can reuse it!
Yeah, I have Works too.
Never did undrstand why Microsoft brought out two similar products, i.e. Works and Word.
Can Works Word Processor files be opened in Word?
Oh, I format it a right arse about face way.
I never did really learn how to create different margins, so I do it all by hand, i.e. move the margin across MANUALLY to different places as I write.
Quote: Mikey J @ August 24 2008, 1:27 PM BSTYeah, I have Works too.
Never did undrstand why Microsoft brought out two similar products, i.e. Works and Word.
Can Works Word Processor files be opened in Word?
Oh, I format it a right arse about face way.
I never did really learn how to create different margins, so I do it all by hand, i.e. move the margin across MANUALLY to different places as I write.
they have spread sheets etc that word doesn't.
I use Scriptsmart http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scriptsmart/index.shtml
It's pretty much bug-free these days.
Quote: Griff @ August 24 2008, 4:19 PM BSTYep this is fine too, although I have seen some compatibility problems in the past with OpenOffice documents, eg I've seen weird results when people try to print them from Word etc. But that was a couple of years ago.
Thanks Griff I'll try that...otherwise it drives me in sane
I hate writing in Word, Final Draft is the best investment I ever made. It automatically sets the margins for you after you've finished typing the last bit (so it switches from Character to Dialogue on one keystroke) and it even guesses who's going to speak next.
It cuts out so much faffing about when you're working.
Quote: Phill @ August 24 2008, 5:46 PM BSTI hate writing in Word, Final Draft is the best investment I ever made. It automatically sets the margins for you after you've finished typing the last bit (so it switches from Character to Dialogue on one keystroke) and it even guesses who's going to speak next.
It cuts out so much faffing about when you're working.
It'll be like Celtx which I installed. It was brilliant until I updated it and now it won't give me the same options nor a full size page 
I can set the side margin fine, but I cannot work out how to set multiple margins, i.e. one for stage directions, one for character names, one for dialogue, etc.
I have Works.
Quote: Mikey J @ August 24 2008, 6:09 PM BSTI can set the side margin fine, but I cannot work out how to set multiple margins, i.e. one for stage directions, one for character names, one for dialogue, etc.
I have Works.
I assume Works is very similar to Word. In Word you can define styles for paragraphs. Styles are bundles of characteristics such as font, font size, colour, and margin. After you've defined your styles (for dialogue, directions, etc.) you can display them in an extra window, so you only have to click on one to apply it to your paragraph.
Here's a description:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HP051895631033.aspx
HTH.
Quote: Griff @ August 24 2008, 6:42 PM BSTPhill - I have Final Draft (the Mac version) but it seems to be very buggy, ie the whole app crashes when you try to export to PDF? But I do like all the intelligent stuff it does about remembering your list of characters and locations etc.
That's weird. Have you got the latest version? I know the early drafts of FD 7 had a stupid way of saving a PDF as a picture, so the file sizes were too big to manage.
If that's the only flaw, download Cute PDF and just print it as a PDF.
The latest Windows version is 7.1.3 - I think. You could try updating it; but if what you're doing works, why change it?
For me, I can't go back - all those wasted keystrokes typing in the characters' names or the slug lines. Makes me want to cry.