Screenwriting is one of the most sought-after positions in the film industry. With the power to shape stories, those with a keen imagination and a way with words are often drawn to the role, aspiring to see their script on screen.
Though alluring as the position may be, it also comes with immense competition as the barrier to entry is very low; all one really needs to produce a script is an idea and the motivation to execute it.
However, writing for the screen differs from other forms of writing, as throughout its relatively short history, screenwriting has been refined and regulated into intimidating industry standards.
These standards often frighten prospective screenwriters and unfortunately kill most scripts before they ever reach the page.
Fortunately, in the age of the internet, there is a plethora of digital tools at filmmakers' fingertips to help them navigate the screenwriter's path. Along with access to countless articles, textbooks, and videos explaining in depth how to properly format a screenplay, there are dozens of services that take it a step further by offering a platform to write scripts with built-in formatting assistance.
Of course, with so many options come so many considerations, and combing through the pros and cons of each service can quickly become a tedious task that yet again scares off screenwriters.
So let me make it simple: use WriterSolo.
Let's start with the most obvious reason to choose Solo over other software – the cost, or lack thereof. While some services like Final Draft and Fade in may charge anywhere from $75 to $200, WriterSolo is completely free to use while still including all the features a new screenwriter needs.
Chief among these features is its seamless auto-formatting. When scripting in WriterSolo, the website guides writers step by step through the pattern expected to be on each page. For example, it will start by prompting you to set the scene:
INT. OFFICE - MORNING
Then it will move you down to the action line:
A group of eight employees sits in a bland conference room trying to keep their eyes open as MR. JONES (60s, white, C.E.O. archetype) drones on about project updates.
Before dropping to the character name:
MR. JONES
Then it will prompt you to enter dialogue:
"I think Monday would be the best time to announce our new line."
Just take it step by step, and when you look back, your script is already coming to life!
As you get a grasp of the basics, you'll begin using more advanced features, implementing parentheticals, transitions, camera directions, and even images. All of these aspects are as easy to master as the ones above, with Solo guiding you step by step.
One of my favorite aspects of Solo is how it adapts to your writing by learning character names and patterns as you go. For example, when writing dialogue between two characters–let's say Elizabeth and Alexander–instead of typing out Alexander's name each time he responds to Elizabeth, Solo recognizes him as a character and simply prompts you to tap the Enter key to auto-fill his name.
I must note that WriterSolo's sister app, WriterDuet, includes many of the same features listed above, along with notable advantages such as live co-writing, automatic cloud backup, and instant sharing across devices. However, after three complementary watermark-free projects, Duet requires a subscription ranging from $10 to $13 a month; so while its features may ultimately be more robust, for screenwriters just learning the ropes, there's really no need to get out their wallet.
Screenwriting is an amazing and integral part of the filmmaking process, but it's also complex and nuanced. While these intricacies can be intimidating, there are a plethora of tools at your fingertips to help navigate them, and for this screenwriter's money, chief among them is undoubtedly WriterSolo.
