I cannot emphasis how important a script is for anything other than the most casual of vacation videos. And while a full-blown, formal treatment is a requirement for anyone producing anything with a budget and a crew, even the simplest of event documentation shoots can benefit from a short shot list handwritten on a note card. Shot lists and scripts don't need to be complex, but every minute you spend writing and planning will save 10 minutes of shooting time and 10 minutes of editing. No kidding.

So script writing is important, but it can also be fun and easy, thanks to the many great script-writing resources that have popped up in recent years, including Zhura, Celtx and Final Draft. Even if you don't really have a script already in your head, spend a few minutes and follow a few of these links and pretend you are a waiter in Los Angeles for a bit. Not all of us are good organizers or shooters or editors or actors and it could be argued that a script is the most important part of any production. Besides, we all have a story to tell!

Scripped: Free, Fun and Online

There are a handful of free online script-writing sites that are genuinely fun to use for those of us wannabe scriptwriters who just want to doodle a bit. The easy layout tools, inspirational links and the active community make you WANT to write. All you need to do is sign up for a free account and start writing. 

These tools lacks some of the more advanced data and organizational tools that you'll find in some other packages, but the advantages of not having these important-but-distracting features in the early stages, especially for novices, are clear: free and fun.

• Scripped was the first free online script-writing resource that is very easy to use and fun. Better than Zhura? Meh. Very similar as far as I can tell.
• ScriptBuddy is yet-another free, fun and online script-writing tool. I can't tell the difference between any of these three, honestly.
• Zhura is no more and has been merged with Scripped.

Celtx: Free and Serious

Now we're getting serious. Celtx is more than just an online script formatting tool and includes more formal script and organizational tools, as well as collaboration features and an active online community. Celtx is an open-source application that you download and install, so it's a little different and less accessible than Scipped or Zhura, but it's also a lot more powerful.

If you dream of someday being a screenwriter and want to play around and get some encouragement, try Zhura (go ahead - try it: it's fun!), but after you understand the basics, you might want to "upgrade" to Celtx for more formal features like A/V script formatting, which is how I'm used to working, for example. The application also has more project management and breakdown features to assist with the actual production, as well as better export and printing features. 

Final Draft: When You Are Ready for Hollywood

 When you are ready for Hollywood, you might need something more, like Final Draft . Quite honestly, however, your boss should buy this $200 piece of software for you and, if you don't have a boss or a contract already, Final Draft is going to be overkill. I've used it. I like it. You can read reviews of it online. But if you aren't working with a producer, a director, an LD, a DP, props, wardrobe, actors, etc. etc., the database and organizational features are going to simply be too much. I do really like the note card features and the ability to move scenes around and storyboarding and..., but I really don't need all of that, since I'm the scriptwriter, the director, the shooter and editor. Even when I've worked with a camera person and editor, a simple AV script was enough.

Other Resources

I was originally going to  just write about Zhura, Celtx and Final Draft, but even a cursory examination of the Internets revealed a veritable cottage industry of script writing software treasures. Here are a handful that I stumbled across and at least peeked at, but make no claims to having looked seriously at any of these. If you know anything about these or feel I've slighted anyone in any way or disagree with me and think any of these (or any other app) should be promoted on my list, please: send me an angry e-mail!

• BPC-Screenplay
• Montage
• Movie Magic Screenwriter
• Movie Outline)
• Movie Tools Screenplay
• Screenwriter Pro
• Screenplay Templates