It's a fair enough question. I never use Word to write, mainly because I hate Word but if there's a way to present my script in the best possible way, I'd want to know about it.
I'm sure there must be some snobbery towards script readers. I know I can't be arsed reading one in critique if it's all a block of text.
I've upgraded to Final Draft Platinum Plus.
When you get stuck you just press the 'Help' key and Aaron Sorkin pops round to give the thing a final polish.
Expensive, but worth it.
Quote: Lazzard @ January 22 2011, 1:42 PM GMTI've upgraded to Final Draft Platinum Plus.
When you get stuck you just press the 'Help' key and Aaron Sorkin pops round to give the thing a final polish.
Expensive, but worth it.
Unfortunately, I've only got the budget version, where you press 'Help' and Paul Mayhew Archer pops up to suggest where you need another fanny gag. 
Quote: Tim Walker @ January 22 2011, 3:59 PM GMT
Unfortunately, I've only got the budget version, where you press 'Help' and Paul Mayhew Archer pops up to suggest where you need another fanny* gag.
*funny
Quote: Badge @ January 22 2011, 4:56 PM GMT*funny
No, definitely 'fanny'...
I know Tim, I know... get with it!
Contrary to what I had thought before, The Scriptwriters' Toolkit does indeed work on the more recent version of Microsoft Word, namely Word 2007 and Word 2010.
These are components of Office 2007 and Office 2010.
It does however require different installation procedures, so I have prepared Video tutorials available from YouTube, to show you how to do it.
A 'serial number' giving access to a free (to BCG members) copy of the Scriptwriters Toolkit is on page 2 of the following topic.
https://www.comedy.co.uk/forums/thread/5583/2/
~~~~~~~~~
I've done some short video tutorials so far and they are very time consuming to do and it will need quite a few more to cover it thoroughly, so I'm presenting these ones first.
Installation
1, Installing the Scriptwriters' Toolkit on the hard disk for Windows XP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vba4QtgERdI
2. Installing the Scriptwriters' Toolkit on the hard disk for Windows Vista or Windows 7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdGO_5gxQOQ
3. Activating the Scriptwriters' Toolkit on Microsoft Word 2002 (XP) or Word 2003 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3FJueNamuE
4. Activating the Scriptwriters' Toolkit on Microsoft Word 2007 ((office 2007).
The procedure is very similar for Word 2010 (Office 2010) and so you can probably work out how to activate it in Word 2010; a detailed video for Word 2010 is in preparation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGUGegrRGqc [a
Using the Toolkit
These videos are done with Windows XP and Word 2003, but the procedures are very similar for Windows7 with Word 2007/2010, so users with later software should still be able to use these tutorials.
5. Starting a fresh script with MS Word 2003/XP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVzHU5_HPwU
6. Continuing your script, scene changes etc. with MS Word 2003/XP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTTBCORBDxY
Bill.
Whats the update here? Which is the best thing to get hold of for writing a sitcom in radio format.... I am asking for a friend. 
I don't have an update ready for The Scriptwriters Toolkit. The existing version does work for recent copies of MS Word (though I've not tried MS Word 2013).
One of the Play formats is broken, but as far as I know the Radio formats are fine.
Cheers Bill
Hello,
When Final Draft 9 came out, I found a copy of Final Draft 8 for about £30. I use that now. I think it's brilliant. When it's sorting out the formatting for you as you type you can just concentrate on writing.
Celtx is still good although it is just an online web based system now. Still good but I worry that the scripts on there could be lost. I'm a cynic, I know.
Thanks.
I used to use Script Smart but when I changed from windows to a Mac I could no longer use it. I wanted something to format scripts but I didn't want to pay a lot of money at this stage. I tried CeltX but for some reason I just couldn't get on with it. I even tried formatting on Word but that got a little messy. Then someone on here mentioned Fade In and so I downloaded the trial version and I found that I really liked it. The full version cost me £30 and so far I am really happy with it.
Depends on what you want to do.
I'm sure many have told this, but whatever you do, don't use Word with its style and formatting.
UPD: just read through all the posts and am surprised that nobody has actually said this. Well, then I will do that: don't use Word for formatting a script. (You can use it as a text editor, though. But there are much better text editors.)
If you're not doing long form, then I've found a very convenient and completely free way by using:
- fountain.io for writing in whatever text editor you prefer (I store my .txt files up on dropbox and can edit them either at home from a computer or on the go from my mobile)
- afterwriting.com for transforming these text files into beautiful looking and correctly formatted pdfs.
Its fee, quick and easy. I've used it now for a few of my sketches. BUT, I think I wouldn't use it for long form, where you're more concerned about how this all looks on a page as you write.
Quote: Lauris @ 19th March 2016, 9:22 PM GMTI'm sure many have told this, but whatever you do, don't use Word with its style and formatting.
UPD: just read through all the posts and am surprised that nobody has actually said this. Well, then I will do that: don't use Word for formatting a script.
Nonsense!
MS Word formats and styles are perfectly OK for doing scripts, but it takes an experienced person to get it right, so it's better to let someone else create good templates.
I use Final Draft Writer on an iPad, which was very cheap when I bought it, and might even be free now. It's marvellous.