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    • CommentAuthorlux23
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2008
     (2321.1)
    So I'm looking for recommendations for a program that handles the format for a comics/film script so i can just write and not have my perfectionist side worry about how it looks. Any thoughts?
    •  
      CommentAuthororwellseyes
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2008 edited
     (2321.2)
    Final Draft is one of the most commonly used programs for scripts. I've used it for creating sequences and scripts at work for a couple years and it's pretty idiot-proof once you get used to it. Handles all your formatting and with a minimum of fussing you can get it used to whatever your preferences are.

    There's a demo on their site.

    http://www.finaldraft.com/
    •  
      CommentAuthorEgon
    • CommentTimeMay 21st 2008
     (2321.3)
    Final Draft is pretty awesome. I use it too.
  4.  (2321.4)
    Final Draft doesn't have a preset format for comics script. However, I like writing comics with it. I'll write the comic's action description and dialogue just like a screenplay. Then I go back and read what I wrote while sketching the panels as I see them. This seems easier to me than trying to write panel to panel descriptions as I go along. Then again, if you are passing the script to an artist you'll have to stick to traditional methods.

    Plus, forget finding a torrent of Final Draft. It'll never work with the keygen. You'll have to buy it. It isn't unbearably expensive.
    •  
      CommentAuthorPyD
    • CommentTimeMay 22nd 2008 edited
     (2321.5)
    Celtx - its the business - at least the verison I have is, its on my other computer so can't get its number right now but here is a -

    Download page

    Did I mention its free free free?
    • CommentAuthorepalicki
    • CommentTimeMay 22nd 2008
     (2321.6)
    Bendis uses Final Draft.

    You can write comics scripts that look like Warren's using any word processor, though.

    It helps that, unlike in film, there's no rigid standard format for comics.
    • CommentAuthorScottS
    • CommentTimeMay 22nd 2008
     (2321.7)
    I like Movie Magic Screenwriter. Last time I checked it was a bit less expensive than Final Draft and comes loaded with lots of formats, including a couple of different ones for comic book style scripts.
    • CommentAuthorMitchB
    • CommentTimeMay 22nd 2008
     (2321.8)
    Another vote for Final Draft or CeltX. No good CeltX comic templates yet but you can make it work (and its free!)

    Andy Diggle posted his Final Draft Comic Template on his blog a while back. It does the job well, you can grab it here. http://www.andydiggle.com/assets/comicbook.fdt. I've been using it recently and I quite like it.
    • CommentAuthorlux23
    • CommentTimeMay 26th 2008
     (2321.9)
    Cool thanks for all the recomendations
  10.  (2321.10)
    Yeah, Diggle's FDR file is good stuff. I used that for awhile. But honestly? With any formatting software, I spend as much time undoing it as I gain by the auto-format. I quit worrying about format and hotkeys. I prefer notepad or word, align everything left, number the panels, and throw shorthand balloon notes after the character's name and it takes no time at all.

    1- Panel description is easy to number this way.

    JEAN GREY /TP
    I am thinking telepathic thoughts as indicated by /TP

    CYCLOPS /BT
    I am yelling commands in a burst!


    2- Two spaces down, I get my next panel description. Etc.

    ULTRON /BZ
    I am a fricking robot whose voice buzzes.

    BRENDAN /WZ
    I may be speaking woozily, but I find the simple method works the best.
    • CommentAuthorAnonymous.
    • CommentTimeJun 15th 2008
     (2321.11)
    I got a torrent of Final Draft, and it worked fine. That said, I use a word application because it's easier, despite Microsoft's insistence on being the most useless collection of cunts this side of the ether. Can't remember where I got it from. The BBC, I think. Works just fine, anyway. I don't write scripts much though.
  12.  (2321.12)
    I think it was JM DeMatteis who actually prints a lexicon of his own shorthand for certain script directions on the front page of his scripts. Maybe it was someone else.

    I tend to use simple parentheses: (JAGGED) (WHISPER) (FROM OFF) (NO TAIL) etc...
  13.  (2321.13)
    I always tended to do a stage direction-y sort of deal.

    PAGE ONE
    PANEL ONE
    SO-AND-SO is in the foreground, sharp focus, while LOVE-INTEREST X is in the background, somewhat forlorn. Neither realizes that GAY LOVER FROM MARS is about to materialize, though the readers can clearly detect a shimmering vortex just beginning to open in the background.

    SO-AND-SO: (whispering) I'll be gosh darned if what I'm saying isn't dramatic.

    LOVE-INTEREST X: (electric) WTF LULZ kthxbai

    ***

    I think there's a workable concept buried up there. DIBS!

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