Ind-E-Focus

Montage – Is exclusive to Mac and offers a variety of features including scene numbering, templates for Film, TV, BBC, Theater, and more; scripts can be created as live outlines, it contains hundreds of industry contacts to send your screenplay off to, and it allows you to import and export Final Draft, text, or RTF formatted files.

Celtx – Is a different type of software, as it is designed to help movie makers through the entire pre-production process. This software can be used by anyone, whether an independent filmmaker, studio professional or a student at a university or film school. Its features are designed to help from concept, to production and includes Story Development Forms, Script editor with an ‘Adapt To’ feature that converts any fully formatted script type into another fully formatted script type i.e. Audio play into a Screenplay; Typeset, Index Cards, Storyboarding, Scheduling, Call Sheets and Shooting Reports. Celtx is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux.

Movie Outline – Allows you to step outline your story before you begin to write, and formats your screenplay. Its features include ‘Dialogue Spotlight’ which enables you to isolate voiceover and dialogue, to create consistent voices for specific characters; ‘FeelFactor’ helps you to visualize the pacing of your story through the use of a graph; ‘Reference Library’ which gives you access to 12 free outlines and analysis’ of successful movies allowing you to compare your own screenplay’s structure and pacing. Movie Outline is available for Mac and Windows.

Choosing the right screenwriting software for your needs and level of expertise in screenwriting and computers is essential. Don't be too ready to dig into your wallet, spend time getting to grips with the basics via free and demo programs, read the software manuals and join the online forums on the product websites in order to get a good idea about the features which will be of most use to you, before you part with your hard earned cash.