Rating: 
Summary: Great starter program
Review: For a quarter to a fifth of the price of the full programs, you get a fine spec script writing package. Like Movie Magic 2000, Final Draft and Scriptware, you get the TAB and ENTER system of entering Scenes and Character Names. You'll lose some of the higher end features (like card view) but for basic script input (especially for spec scripts) Hollywood Screenwriter will probably do what you need, especially if you're a beginner.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 They allow you to stop using Character CONT'Ds in your scripts, as this is becoing outdated.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.
Rating:
Summary: Just might make you rich!
Review: For anyone who knows me, it's no secret that I would love to be a screenwriter. Will that dream ever happen? Who knows, but until it does I'm content to practice what I feel is my true gift, reviewing. But while I'm honing my craft as a reviewer, hoping to be published one day, I still like to work on my other dreams, like screenwriting (and stand-up comedy).
That's where this program comes in handy. I type in my characters and locations, and it helps me input them automatically, saving loads of time while I write. In fact, the software is so easy to use, I completed two screenplays within a week of owning it: "The Next Karate Kid, Part II", and "Stardrivers", which is about an intergalactic space race to the sun. I'm now working on a Howdy Doody feature film, an action film called "Bloodthirsty" that I think could be Scott Baio's "Pulp Fiction", and "Stardrivers 2". It's helped me realize that I really am a truly gifted writer, and that everyone who has doubted my abilities was just a hurdle on my way to success.
Are there any flaws in the program? Well, it's a little disappointing that the software doesn't come with any screenplay ideas built in, to help with the writer's block that occasionally sets in. But for us creative types, I guess that's not needed - we've always got new and fresh ideas! This software is not for everyone, though - for the vast majority of you reading this, you'll never see a screenplay published, so perhaps you should consider another hobby or long-term project. This type of thing is mainly for those of us who truly have a future in the business, not the pretenders.
Rating: 
Summary: very dissatisfied with product
Review: Having to put the disk in each time I want to launch is a major pain and buyers should be warned of this unusual requirement. For those who travel, it is really a nuisance. But my biggest issue is I can't get the program to start up half the time. I am spending more time with tech support than writing. And I have little enough time for that as it is. I thought the program was going to save me time. It hasn't and, at the moment, I've lost an entire script, which I cannot access.
Rating: 
Summary: False economy?
Review: 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).
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I bought this to import a script from MS Word and have been very disappointed. It's not very intuitive, lacks a clear description of the elements and has limited help functions. I am used to using MS Word and found this very frustrating. I just wanted a simple program without all the bells and whistles of the more expensive products, but am disappointed in this. Perhaps it could be different if I was starting from scratch and hadn't imported my script.
Rating:
Summary: Great product, great Tech Support!
Review: I entered the Project Greenlight screenwriting contest three years ago and needed a program immediately so I could retype my screenplay into the exactly perfect formatting of "standard industry format," which was a rule of the Project Greenlight Contest (a rule they never enforced). I didn't have money to buy a program at that time and discovered that Hollywood Screenwriter had a free trial period so I downloaded it. I somehow missed the part where either the free trial did not allow saving or if it did, I didn't understand how to do it. I had no problem whatsoever using Hollywood Screenwriter, it was easy to understand right from the start. But the deadline to enter the contest at Project Greenlight was only one more day away and there I was, stuck with a screenplay that I could not save to the required .pdf format. I got in touch with Tech Support and these guys were absolutely wonderful and supportive of me. They emailed back and forth with me for half the night, trying to figure out how to get my script to .pdf format. They finally hit on the idea of saving my script to .rtf then going to Adobe for their free conversion to .pdf. Although the Adobe conversion alters page breaks, that's not Hollywood Screenwriter's fault. I will never forget how nice their Tech Support was and how much effort they put into helping me and I was only using the free trial version! There are many companies out there who wouldn't go to all that bother even for their paying customers. If there is any part of this software's interface that you don't "get," or if you have any problems at all, be assured that their Tech Support will go to any lengths to help you. I wouldn't worry about the interface, though. As I stated, it is very easy to use, very quick to learn. Not having to worry about formatting really frees up your creativity. I do recommend this product.
Rating:
Summary: Great product, great Tech Support!
Review: I entered the Project Greenlight screenwriting contest three years ago and needed a program immediately so I could retype my screenplay into the exactly perfect formatting of "standard industry format," which was a rule of the Project Greenlight Contest (a rule they never enforced). I didn't have money to buy a program at that time and discovered that Hollywood Screenwriter had a free trial period so I downloaded it. I somehow missed the part where either the free trial did not allow saving or if it did, I didn't understand how to do it. I had no problem whatsoever using Hollywood Screenwriter, it was easy to understand right from the start. But the deadline to enter the contest at Project Greenlight was only one more day away and there I was, stuck with a screenplay that I could not save to the required .pdf format. I got in touch with Tech Support and these guys were absolutely wonderful and supportive of me. They emailed back and forth with me for half the night, trying to figure out how to get my script to .pdf format. They finally hit on the idea of saving my script to .rtf then going to Adobe for their free conversion to .pdf. Although the Adobe conversion alters page breaks, that's not Hollywood Screenwriter's fault. I will never forget how nice their Tech Support was and how much effort they put into helping me and I was only using the free trial version! There are many companies out there who wouldn't go to all that bother even for their paying customers. If there is any part of this software's interface that you don't "get," or if you have any problems at all, be assured that their Tech Support will go to any lengths to help you. I wouldn't worry about the interface, though. As I stated, it is very easy to use, very quick to learn. Not having to worry about formatting really frees up your creativity. I do recommend this product.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a GREAT program if you know what you are doing.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: This is a GREAT program if you know what you are doing.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: product review
Review: I think that this product is useful to have. Everydody should have one.
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