by Glenn Magas

Created on: September 20, 2009

If you are a serious writer, all you want to worry about is writing your script. The following 5 great screenwriting programs are essential to breaking into the business and getting that potentially award-winning screenplay read.

Using a text editor or MS Word is all you need to write an award-winning screenplay... but don't do it. It is harder to meet industry standards as far as formatting is concerned; and pagination is an incredibly daunting task with a text editor or the traditional word processer like MS Word.

Here are 5 great screenwriting software programs that can help you get your script past the reader and onto the producer's table.

1. Movie Magic Screenwriter $249.95
2. Final Draft $249
3. Celtix (free)
4. Zhura (free)
5. Montage (for the Mac) $69.95

1. Movie Magic Screenwriter $249
&
2. Final Draft $249

Screenwriting programs, Movie Magic & Final Draft, are industry standards when writing screenplays. Comparing the two side by side: formatting, templates, 'smart-type', script notes, the ease of use and price, there aren't any differences that completely stand out. Choosing between the two is just a writer's preference.

For Final Draft, Richard Donner (X-Men, Lethal Weapon) has a great testimony: "If I wasn't married to Lauren, I'd marry Final Draft"

For Movie Magic, Paul Haggis (Casino Royale, Million Dollar Baby) states: "I've used Movie Magic Screenwriter for many years. Nothing is as simple, powerful, intuitive and versatile. And the support is outstanding."

Both should be on your computer. As a spec writer, collaborator, or someone breaking into screenwriting, working with another writer or studio means being compatible as far as software is concerned. Although each can save as text or RFT files and opened in respective programs, it will be a lot easier to write using the same software as your partner, group or company you are working for or with.

Each are high industry standards in screenwriting software and either will provide all the bells and whistles you need to make your screenwriting an easier task.

3. Celtix (free)

For the new writer, for the spec writer trying to break in, for the student, you can't pass up the fact that Celtix is absolutely free.

This is a free media pre-production software designed for creating and organizing media projects like screenplays, films, videos, stageplays, audio plays, documentaries, comics, games and podcasts.

Celtix is an open source project for both the Mac and Windows based computers (like the open source

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