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Screenwriters literally live in front of their screens, constantly revising and creating new scenes for their screenplays. But what about when a screenwriter has an idea and cannot access their computer? From tablets to smart phones, there is a plethora of screenwriting apps available that not only help make a screenwriter’s life easier, but also allow them to work on projects while on the go. Read below to discover the best apps available to screenwriters.
Final Draft, creators of the top-selling screenwriting software in the world, enter the mobile market with the Final Draft Writer™ app, enabling screenwriters to easily send or share their Final Draft FDX files from their laptop to their iPad and iPhone and truly work anywhere. Whether you’re making edits to a current script or starting a new one from scratch, the Final Draft Writer™ app supports easy navigation, ScriptNotes™, SmartType™, and much more so that you can move your scripts across platforms, email, or Dropbox with zero hassle. Every time you open the app, your script will show up paginated and formatted to industry standards, making this app a must for screenwriters of all stripes. |
Tom Hanks, a famous collector and ultra-fan of typewriters, has delighted us with one of the best typewriter simulators we’ve ever seen on an iDevice. More customizable than you’d imagine and a pleasure to use, for best results prop up your iPad and couple it with a Bluetooth keyboard. |
This offers a novel approach to screenwriting, using the non-linear format employed by most video editors. On a small smartphone screen, this approach makes it easier to access and move elements between different sequences and scripts. You can import FDX and CELTX files, and export your screenplay to all the main formats, including PDF and HTML. |
This is more versatile than the other apps and can be used for screenplays and novels, with built-in templates for working in either format. One of the cooler features of Storyist is the advanced index card support, with customizable plot, character and settings sheets and the ability to display them next to your manuscript while you're writing. |
A professional film-plotting app with a cult following, Contour is a smart way of breaking down your film idea into manageable chunks so you can get down to the business of writing. |
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Device: Android & iOS
Price: $2.99 Current Rating: 5/5 Download App from Google Download App from Apple |
Lists for Writers is more than a random bundle of lists. Organized into logical sections such as words, settings, plot points, personalities and characters, it's a quick-fix inspiration unblocker and features numerous other tools such as character name/occupation/foible builders and research tools. |
This is a straightforward script-writing app that can be picked up and learned quickly. Its interface is elegant and utilizes keystrokes that will be familiar to any Apple user. By simply double-tapping the screen, you can switch between script elements, and files can be easily imported between Final Draft 8 or Celtx. The basic program is free, but it does have a few limitations, including the ability to work on just one script at a time. If you'd like greater flexibility, you can purchase upgrade packs for $4.99. |
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Device: Android 2.2 and up /
iOS 5 and later. Price: Free Current Rating: 4/5 Download App from Google Download App from Apple |
Available in both iOS and Android versions, this app offers a clean, straightforward app for writing and formatting without all of the extra bells and whistles that can bog some writers down. You can tab through scenes, characters and dialogue at the touch of a button, and the finished product can be exported to Dropbox when you're finished. The free version has a few limitations, like the inability to import documents or work on multiple screenplays. You can however upgrade to a full-featured paid version. |
Screenwriter
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Screenwriter is a stand-alone app that requires no PC companion software. It's designed to allow writers to gather their thoughts and write rough drafts; the finished product should be exported and polished on the PC. This program allows for easy tabbing between synopsis, character, locations, scenes and more. The final script can be exported via email for easy sharing and editing. The program does not, however, support export to Final Draft or CeltX. |
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Device: Android 2.2 and up,
iPhone & iPad Price: $9.99 Current Rating: 3/5 Download App from Google Download App from Apple |
Celtx for desktop has always been one of the most popular, powerful and affordable screenwriting programs on the market. Now its app companion allows you to take that same functionality on the road for working at any time, anywhere. You can choose from several formats, including screenplay, stageplay and comic. You can add comments and notes to yourself as you go, and scripts can be easily imported and exported from the desktop Celtx version. |
Although not a dedicated screenwriting app, Notably is a powerful tool for writers of all kind. You can organize all of your notes into "Notebooks," which can be bundled in any configuration that makes sense for you and your project. As you work, all of your work is automatically saved to Dropbox so you never have to worry about losing work. A few app-specific features are particularly attractive, including the ability to activate an in-app passcode to keep your documents protected. Additionally, the beautiful layout allows you to see text the way it might in print, inviting creativity with its beautiful typography. |
