Hollywood Screenwriter

You do need to download the latest updates from Screenplay Systems, especially if you are using Windows Me, 2000 or XP (othewise you might get an "Error 32 Message"). You should also look at the new spec script formats that can be downloaded from Screenplay System's web site. They allow you to stop using Character CONT'Ds in your scripts, as this is becoing outdated.

Hollywood Screenwriter doesn't have as many export options as its bigger brother, Movie Magic 2000, but it *does* have RTF and ASCII, which means it should interact with just about any Windows word processor or Screenplay software.

For the price and features, Hollywood Screenwriter is a great program. Check Screenplay System's comparison chart for feature differences between it and Movie Magic 2000 before buying, but there's a good chance that if you are writing a spec script, Hollywood Screenwriter will do the job.


Very unhappy with this program   June 25, 2002
M. Sindy Felin (Atlanta, GA United States)
100 out of 102 found this review helpful

I'm sitting here thirty-six hours away from sharing my script with my screenwriting group and I don't know if I'll have a script to show them. This program started out fine at first. I, too, didn't mind having to put the CD in each time; afterall, I have to put my disk in each time I work.

First time I noticed a problem was when I tried to email my script to a friend for comments - you can't. Unless the other person has Hollywood Screenwriter, they won't be able to open it. The program doesn't even allow you to cut your text into a Word document (or any other application for that matter.) Secondly, the top and bottom margins were set at 1.5 inches so for several weeks I thought my script was much longer than it actually was. The margins are easily corrected, but still, 1 inch is proper industry format - they should know that. Third, the spacing between scene headings is incorrect. Proper industry format says three spaces, this program gives you two. I had to go in and hit a hard return at the beginning of every scene heading in a hundred page script - very annoying. Fourth, you can not incorporate a (beat) into the dialogue. As soon as you type a parantheses, the program thinks its acting instructions and formats whatever is in the () accordingly. On the online FAQ they recognize this problem and say to use [] or {} for beats!!! That's great, try to break into the business by having your script look different than other professional scripts. I don't think so. I makes me wonder what other formatting stlyle is incorrect.

Finally, and this is a doozy, at any point you can go and try to open a script you've been working on forever and find that it isn't there. The program gives an Error 32, whatever that means, and opens up what it calls your script but is actually one blank page. The company's online help has an update you can download to fix this problem and after the download, you'll supposedly be able to recover your script. Didn't work for me. I opened an older version I had and then re-did my work to the best of my memory. Now, this morning, I popped the CD in and...nothing. The program won't open at all.

When I researched the different programs to buy I did see mention of some little quirks but I figured for the price it would be a good place to start. Wrong. Unless you have no intention of sharing your script with anyone via email, etc. or don't care about proper format, or don't mind just randomly losing your whole damn script for no apparent reason, spend the extra few buck for something that works. Speaking of which - does anyone have any recommendations? I'm now in the market.


This is a GREAT program if you know what you are doing.   November 2, 2000
icekatice (USA)
52 out of 54 found this review helpful

I LOVE this program. I for one, don't mind that you have to use the CD to run the program: Less space used up on my hard drive so that aspect does not bother me. I have had absolutely no problems with formatting. All my "spacing" is correct and falls under industry guidelines. I got the "proper" 1 inch space at the top and did not have any other problems with the program. This software, unlike others, will NOT write the screenplay for you. You absolutely need to know the ins and outs of screenwriting because it will not hold your hand through the process. I for one, do not want index cards popping up reminding me of what was written before. That is confusing and I am competent enough to keep up with my own work. This is a great basic program, and you can't beat the price. If you know how to write a screenplay or even if you have read a book on how to write a screenplay, this program is all you need. No frills, no chills, but it gives you the chance, properly formatted, to put your words down.


False economy?   September 29, 2000
Peter Reeve (Thousand Oaks, CA USA)
30 out of 31 found this review helpful

I bought this because it was the cheapest screenwriting software available... A major inconvenience with it is that you need the CD in place when you run it. Like many people, I use two PCs - a desktop and a laptop - so that makes the requirement to have the CD to hand even more inconvenient. Tip: if your PC has a removable CD drive and you start the program with it removed, the program does not ask for it and runs anyway! The program does not handle certain script features very well, e.g. transitions and complex character headings like FRED (V.O.) (CONT'D).


product review   August 21, 2000
0 out of 29 found this review helpful

I think that this product is useful to have. Everydody should have one.