Fd Review Matrix Final

8/8/2019 Fd Review Matrix Final

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Final DraftFinal Draft Inc.

June 2006 | Version 7.1.2.34

Stewart McKie - 2006 - 1 - 11/7/06No reproduction without permission

ScreenSoft reviews of screenwriting software are hands-on and usually involve:

Installing the software Importing a script and creating a demo script from scratch

Trying out most features and functions

The detailed tables (below) include comment by the reviewer plus checklists for the following categories of features/functions:

General General release data about the software

Script Specific script writing features/functions

Elements Support for script elements (e.g. characters, scene headings, transitions) Characters Character-related content and context

Collaboration Using the software for collaborative scriptwriting Help What user help/support is provided Import/Export Script import/export formats

Locations Location-related content and context Outlining Support for story outlining Pitching Support for script pitching/submission management Production Production content and context or production software tagging

Research Links to research and notes about the script content or inspiration Scenes Scene-related content and context

Statistics Statistical analysis of the content of the script Tasks/Events Management of pre-production tasks and events

ScreenSoft reviews are independent and unpaid. For other more reviews and articles about screenwriting software see Screensoft.co.uk

Do not base a purchasing decision solely on these reviews they are for guidance only. Check all key functionality

requirements with the package vendor before making any decision to purchase or talk to an existing user as some

features/functions may have changed.


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Topic Feature/Function Description Final Draft

Stewart McKie, 2006 -2- Screenwriting Software Feature/Function Matrix

Topic Feature/Function Description Final DraftGeneral

Status Released or in beta (testing) ReleasedVersion Version reviewed 7.1.2.34OS Support Operating systems supported Mac OSX / WindowsMultilingual Non-English versions available See Note 1Trial Version Available Downloadable free trial version YesOther Versions Available Other specialized versions available Audio-Visual (AV)Price Retail price of software $229Requirements Minimum requirements to run software OS dependent

Final Draft is recognized as a market-leader in scriptwriting software.

Final Draft AV, is a multi-column script processor specifically designed for writing commercials, corporate videos, documentaries,presentations, DV shorts, etc.

Final Draft has been available for over a decade the company was founded in 1991.

Final Draft is based in Calabasas, CA (USA).

Final Draft sponsors the Annual Big Break! International Screenwriting Contest.

Note 1: Final Draft is not multi-lingual but does offer an English/French/German/Spanish Getting Started booklet and comes with the

users choice of one of 13 foreign language (non-American-English) spell checker/thesaurus.


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ScriptAnnotation Insert in Script Insert annotations/notes into script body YesAnnotation Show in Script Hide/show annotations/notes added to script YesBackup To Local Directory Save copy to local backup destination YesBackup To Online Repository Save copy to online backup destination NoClean Screen for Writing Clean screen to focus on writing script only YesCompare and Highlight Diffs. Highlight differences between two script versions YesCut / Copy / Paste Standard editing tools YesIntegrated Email Script Email script from within program YesDescription Of script project YesDirectory (Save Default) Default directory work is saved to YesDocument Ruler Above or below script for formatting YesDrag-and-Drop Text Within script Yes

Find Term/Search Within script YesFind and Replace Text Within script YesFolder-Based Content Browser All script-related content organized into folders NoFooter User Defined User-defined script footer YesFont Select Select text font YesFont Formatting Palette Bold/Italic/Underline/Color etc. YesGoto / Jump To specific place in script based on elements YesGoto / Jump To Bookmark To bookmark set in script YesHeader User Defined User-defined script header YesHeader Act/Scene Number Act/Scene Number in page header YesKeystroke Macros Replace short text entry with stored long text Yes

Logline Script logline NoNote Capture Popup Popup to capture notes as you work YesPage Locking Lock page to prevent editing YesPaginated View View of script as it will print YesPrint Text in Color Print text in color Yes


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Print Revisions in Color Highlight revisions in color YesPublish to Web Community Publish script to online web community NoRevision Management Manage revisions YesSave Auto-Save On/Off Switch ongoing auto-save of script on/off Yes

Scan for Formatting Errors Highlights errors before printing YesScript Project Navigator Navigate all content associated with project NoSecurity Password Protected Access via password only No Via PDFSecurity Uneditable Version Read-only format YesSide-By-Side Scripts View View two scripts alongside each other Yes-Smart Views (Mac OS) Use of rules to view script content NoSpellcheck Spellchecker YesSpellcheck As You Write Highlight spelling errors as you write YesSplit Screen - Vertically Navigate two sections of a script vertically YesSplit Screen - Horizontally Navigate two sections of a script horizontally Yes

Templates Script templates available (e.g. TV vs. Film) YesTemplate Default Default template for all new scripts NoTemplate Save Script As Save current script as reusable template YesText Highlighter Highlight selected text in yellow YesText-to-Speech Read out selected text using electronic voice YesText-to-Speech Voices Select voices for characters YesThesaurus Online thesaurus YesTitle Page Script title page YesTitle Page - Optional Print Switch print of title page on/off YesToolbars Optional Display Option to display toolbars YesToolbars Customize Content Ability to customize what appears on toolbar Yes

Undo/Redo Text undo/redo capability YesViewer Free viewer to allow others to read script file YesWeb Bookmarks Links to web pages relevant to the script NoXML Tagging/Markup Markup elements with XML tags for script export YesZoom View Levels Increase/decrease zoom level from 100% Yes


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Final Draft is a benchmark application in terms of the richness of its scriptwriting capabilities. It also has wide industry acceptance

particularly in Hollywood. It is unlikely that a scriptwriter would be unable to use Final Draft because of the lack of a specific feature in

the software.

One major difference between Final Draft and more recently developed beta packages (e.g. Celtx and Montage) is that it lacks a projectparadigm in that the amount of additional information that can be added to the script elements (e.g. characters and scenes) or in terms

of production data, is limited.


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ElementsAction Auto Format Format action text YesAssign to Element Pick List Convert existing element to different element Yes

Autofill from Existing Autofill characters, scenes etc. from existing YesCharacter - Pick List Pick characters from existing cast YesColor-Coded Elements Color-code elements YesDialog Auto Format Format dialog text YesDialog Side-by-Side Present dialog of two characters side-by-side YesOptional Contd Define if continueds used YesOptional More Define if more used YesParenthetical Auto Bracket Auto-bracket parentheticals YesReport of Specific Elements Report all uses of specific element type YesScene Heading Cast List Create cast list below scene heading (e.g. for TV) Yes

Scene Heading Pick Lists Pick scenes from existing headings YesTransition Pick List Pick transition type from list YesUser Defined Formatting Styles User-defined element formatting Yes

Final Draft handles script elements in much the same way as any other leading scriptwriting program and you can create your own

elements if you wish. There are no serious shortcomings in this area so screenwriters should have no problems in actually constructing,

writing and formatting the content of their script.


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CharactersBackstory Backstory data NoCharacteristics Physical No

Dialog By Character All dialog for selected character YesImage Image of character/cast suggestion NoLink to Casting Data Casting suggestion and agent NoMotivation Psychology NoNames Lookup Database Online lookup to find character names YesNotes Notes NoScene List By Character All scenes character speaks in YesType Pick List e.g. Protagonist/antagonist NoWeblink Web URL No

Final Draft lacks the ability to add significant additional content about characters in your script. However it does produce useful characterand cast reports that list statistics about characters (e.g. no. of scenes), dialog by character and who the character interacts with most.


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CollaborationGroup Contacts Contact group relevant to script project NoIntegrated Chat Integrated chat for script conversations Yes

MyScenes Scenes assigned to me NoMyTasks Tasks assigned to me NoOnline Wiki-Like Editing Collaborative editing of script Wiki-style NoScript Versioning Auto-versioning of scripts when saved No

Final Draft is better than most scriptwriting packages for supporting collaborative script development and team writing. Generally, most

scriptwriting packages are not good at this and collaborative scriptwriting suitable for team writing is an area where innovation is required

in the future. Final Draft also has better revision management features than most scriptwriting packages (except those that function asadd-ins to Microsoft Word as these packages benefit from Words built-in Track Changes functionality).

The Final Draft manual describes their CollaboWriter feature as follows:

CollaboWriter allows you to collaborate on and discuss a script with other Final Draft users anywhere in the world via the Internet. One

person initiates the session (the Host). The Host or another person can control the script (the Controller) while others view changes as

they are made. CollaboWriter also contains a chat window so ideas and critiques can be shared instantly.

In brief, one person hosts the CollaboWriter session. Final Draft displays the address of the Hosts computer. The others type in the

Hosts address. Once everyone is connected the Host sends the script to each participant, so that everyone is using an identical draft.

Anyone can save the script at any time to their own computer. The chat window works similarly to other Internet chat programs. Texttyped in the window is viewed simultaneously by all participants.


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Help &Support

Ask the Expert Submit question to an expert Yes

Educational Sales Discounts for educational users YesFind a Reseller Find a reseller near you/in your country YesLink - Lost Serial Number Get your serial number emailed to you YesLink - Check for Update Check for updates to software YesLink - Copyright Script Link to copyright form NoLink - Register/Buy Online Manage buy/download/register online YesLink - Request Support Request support call/response YesLink - Script Registration Link to registration service YesLink - Submit Feedback Submit suggestion/bug report YesLink - User Forum Link to user community forum NoLink - User Guide Electronic user manual YesOnline Account Account with Final Draft YesOnline Knowledgebase Search online knowledgebase Yes

Help and support options are either available from the Final Draft Help dropdown menu or via their website. Ideally every link that is

available via the (remote) website should also be available from the Help dropdown menu found in the (locally installed) software.


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Import/ExportExport Formats Exporting script to other file formats HTML / PDF / RTF /

Text / XML

Movie MagicScriptNotes Only

Final Draft AVImport Formats Getting text into your script RTF / TextInterfaces Interfacing to other related programs Avid MetaSync

EventMatrixGold Pocket

Keynote

Final Draft has an acceptable range of import options and an exceptional range of output options that should be enough for most

screenwriters.

Final Draft format scripts can also often be imported into other scriptwriting packages, as the file format is somewhat of an industry-

standard. A tagging application can be used to markup Final Draft scripts with the appropriate XML tags to enable the script to be

imported into production planning packages that can import and recognize XML files/tags.


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LocationsContact Location contact NoImage Location image No

Map Link Map link (e.g. Google Map) NoNotes Location notes NoProp List Props required for location NoScenes By Location Scenes that use this location YesWeblink Location web URL No

Final Draft lacks the ability to add significant additional content about locations in your script. Although Final Draft does offer a useful

locations report to list the occurrences of a location and the page number in the script.


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OutliningHeros Journey View Scenes categorized by Voglers Heros Journey NoImport from Outlining Tool Setup script by importing outline from elsewhere No

Index Card Print Cards Print scene cards onto card stationery YesIndex Card Scene Text Full scene text on card YesIndex Card Summary Text Summary description of scene on card YesIndex Card View Scene index cards YesIndex Card View Layout Layout of cards (e.g. 3x4) YesListView: Scenes Scrolling list of scenes YesText Outline Create text outline YesTreeView: Scenes by Act Collapse/Expand scenes by act NoTreeView: Scenes by Character Collapse/Expand scenes by character No

Final Draft offers sophisticated scene index-card functionality for creating, manipulating and visualizing the screenplay via an index-cardparadigm.


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PitchingAgency Contacts Agency contact record NoCompetition Contacts Competition contact record No

Pitching Contacts Pitch contact record NoQuery Letters Create and manage query letters NoSubmission Tracking Manage query letter submissions NoSynopses/Treatments Create and manage treatments No

Scriptmarketing is not a key function in Final Draft, like it is say in Mariner Montage.


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ProductionProp Lists List of props used in script Via XML TagsScene Breakdown Reports Reports of production data by scene Via XML Tags

Task/Event Scheduler Calendar view to schedule tasks/events YesWardrobe Wardrobe management Yes

Final Draft lags newcomers like Celtx in terms of allowing you to add more production-related content to your script through data input

forms. But Final Draft does offer the Final Draft Tagger application (that comes with Final Draft) to markup your script to prepare it for

use by third party, dedicated production scheduling and reporting packages. For example a UK package called The Scheduler can importthis kind of marked-up Final Draft script as an easy way to kick-off a production schedule and other reports.

This is how Tagger works:

You import a Final Draft script into Tagger that you want to tag with production-related metadata

You select text in your script that you wish to tag and select the appropriate tag from an on-screen list to markup the text Tagger adds the appropriate XML start and end tags to the script text selected under-the-covers

You save your new marked up script (it is saved as an XML file)

You import your marked script into a production scheduling package to manage the production/create detailed reports

Its also possible to use the tagged Final Draft XML file of your script to do other useful tasks if you know how to work with XML files. But

for most screenwriters this would be beyond their technical competence. Be aware that tagging a script in this way is very time

consuming and probably best done by a production-savvy person in conjunction with the screenwriter - but its better than ignoring the

script as an input document and starting your production schedule entirely from scratch.


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ResearchContact Expert contact NoImage Image (e.g. book cover) No

Notes Notes NoSource Author Adaptation author NoSource Work Adaptation sourcework NoWeblink Web URL No

Final Draft provides no meaningful functionality for helping to manage the research relating to the script content.


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ScenesA and B Pages Special format YesAuto-Number Option Auto-number scenes Yes

Character Roles In List roles of characters in scene NoCharacters In List characters in scene YesImage Image NoList Navigator Click scene heading to view scene script YesNotes Notes Yes Index CardProduction Reporting by Scene Production-related reports by scene NoScene Sequences/Acts Group scenes into sequences NoStatus Pick-List Scene status pick list (e.g. final, WIP) NoTimeline Data Scene timeline data (e.g. time of day) NoType Pick-List Scene type pick list (e.g. turning point, climax) NoWeblink Web URL No

Final Draft lacks the ability to add significant additional content about scenes in your script. Although Final Draft does offer a useful

scenes report to list the page number and relative length of scenes in the script.


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StatisticsCharacter Dialog % % of total dialog owned by one character YesDAY/NIGHT % % of DAY vs. Night scenes No

Dialog/Action % % of dialog vs. action YesINT/EXT % % of INT vs. EXT scenes NoParagraph Count How many paragraphs? YesStatistics Report Collated statistics report YesWordcount How many words? Yes

Final Draft has reasonable statistical analysis in the current version and offers a useful statistics report that optionally summarizes

statistics about characters, scenes and the use of profanity in the script.


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Tasks/EventsAssigned To Contact Task assigned to contact NoCompletion Date Task completion date No

Completion Percentage Task completion % to date NoFilter Calendar by Event Type Show only specific events in calendar NoMacOS Uses Address Book Leverage existing Apple Contacts database NoPriority Pick-List Pick list of tasks priorities NoProduction Events Production-related events NoProduction Tasks Production-related tasks NoPublic/Private Private event to current user NoReminder Alarm Pre-event reminder NoSchedule In Calendar Schedule events/tasks in online calendar NoStart/End Date Start/End date of task/event NoStatus Pick-List Pick list of task status No

Type Pick-List Pick list of task types NoWeblink Web URL for event No

Final Draft includes minimal functionality for managing production tasks and events and lacks a calendar and scheduling capability built-

in.


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CONCLUSIONS:

Final Draft is worth considering assuming the following apply to you:

You intend to run your screenwriting package on Mac OSX/Windows.

You prefer to use an industry standard / industry preferred scriptwriting package.

You will be involved in collaborative scriptwriting and revision management.

You are not especially concerned with adding detailed data about the production phase of the filmmaking process.

You are not especially concerned with having access to scriptmarketing functions.

You are not especially concerned with adding rich content to your script elements (e.g. characters, scenes etc.)

You like the idea of combining scriptwriting with script production and scheduling in one package.

You like to use index-cards as a way of managing your script.

You want access to some statistical analysis of your script.

You need to interface/integrate your scriptwriting package with other filmmaking software.

You need a scriptwriting package that can handle languages other than English.

You are not price-sensitive as Final Draft is a premium priced product.

Reviewer: Stewart McKie | June 2006 | www.screensoft.co.uk | +44 (0) 1747 852659

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License

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