Not upgrading to Final Draft 13
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- The new Final Draft 13 is very good -- unless you have any previous version. Here's unfortunately what little has been added.
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omg, your humor cracks me the hell up. It's often subtle, but that's its brilliance; I'm required to listen carefully to make sure i don't miss the next quip. Anyway, while i disagree with you on a couple points about the value of certain new features, such as the updated beat board (i.e., for those of us hopelessly anally retentive types who function only through planning a thing to death, and back, before doing the actual writing), your review is solid and thorough and, frankly, may have encouraged me to move forth with v12., given the way i write. much appreciated.
Thank you, that's made me beam.
FD still has the ability to move large sections of text around. I do this by looking at the index card feature. An index card is created when a new scene is started using the Scene Element. Each scene is a card that can be viewed as just titles or all the text. The cards can be color coded. I track story threads and characters.
Thank you. I'm sorry I missed that, but I'm glad I've not just imagined the old feature.
Thank you, Sir. Straight up evaluation. I upgraded to FD13 anyway because I'm OCD and compulsively keep software upgraded. I worry the world may end if I don't upgrade and it could be my fault. I concur with your evaluation. That said, I love version 13 as I've loved all FD versions since version 6, which was my baptismal version. Thanks again. Well done.
Thank you. I am still likely to upgrade for pretty much the same reason, but now I keep not getting around to it. At the moment, I'm deep into a book so maybe when I come back to scripts -- where I am happiest -- I should do it then.
Why would you ever put an emoji in a professional script?
In fairness, they say you can use it in descriptions such as when you want to say a character is typing on their phone. But to me, if I'm a producer, I then have to figure out which emoji this icon is meant to be where if the writer just used words, I could call my graphics people and say I want the sad face icon.
"Amen Sista... Amen"
I couldn't help but think of two occasions... That episode of Dr Who where a futuristic complex was populated by "emoji bots", and I think it was an episode of Silent Witness where there was quite an extensive use of on-screen phone messaging pop-ups where the use or non-use of emojis in the message sent clues about the phone having been acquired by someone spoofing and laying a trap.
I know I maybe a voice in the wilderness but I will say one thing in the favour of FD 13, it gets on a lot better with Scrivener compiled script docs. In fact it is so smooth it is almost effortless. This may not be a big thing for most folk, but if you have a lot of script ideas in Scrivener format, till recently it was a real buggy event transferring from Scrivener to Final Draft. Enjoying the videos, keep up the good work.
Thank you, that's excellent. I remember interviewing the makers of Scrivener and they said that their app was good for the first draft, then it should be taken on into Final Draft or something like it. But when I tried it, Scrivener was fine for every draft I did.
Awwww.... Sir William Gallagher ... It has been YEARS since I have seen you last on TH-cam....
I had given up on writing my screenplay after having to take care of my ailing mother for the last 6 years... (I miss her so much) we lost her last summer.
Now... I have sparked up the ol' idea of bringing out the manuscript/screenplay and found myself once more wanting to finish it and seriously doing something about it...
My last Final Draft was I think a 9 version... (laughing)... and on an old Mac that is 11 years old...
MY ... my ... my.... One must get up to the 21st Century, don't you think...
I thought about getting the FD 12.... what do you think?
Thank you so much for this great video.
I'm so sorry about your mother. I'm glad, though, that she had you. Now, get back to writing, okay? I'd say write this moment on whatever you've already got. But if you do upgrade, go for Final Draft 13: as I say in the video I don't believe there's a significant difference between it and Final Draft 12, but it's the same cost so go for the latest, definitely. Actually... thinking about it... I imagine it must still be possible to get version 12 but I don't even know how you'd do it. So version 13 is even more the way to go.
@@WilliamGallagher
YES Sir! ...
That sounds plausible.
Especially since I have not purchased one (FD) in some time.
Since talking to you last... I have been teaching... I am an Acting Director and plan on moving back to Albuquerque, New Mexico (US) to RE-Open my Acting Studio and also have
Mystery Dinner Theatre...
The manuscript I have written and the screenplay/script I want to write, was read by a movie director (I might have already told you about this... if so, please disregard) ... he told me to finish it and to make it a movie (as if it were that simply... everyone one would do that!)
The movie director told me to publish the manuscript into a book first and then adapt that into a screenplay...
(So the book rights would be sold with the screenplay!)
What is so funny is this story was only supposed to be a Play to be made on stage... then the movie director read it and said, "Forget the Stage... make this into a movie"...
Are you still with me?
Sorry for this being so long... but what I really want to ask you, is do you still read (edit) manuscripts... screenplays... etc?
How much do you charge?
After talking to you many years ago...
I started buying as many Screenplays as I could (eBay)... Old ones... New ones... and it is amazing how the old screenplays were written, compared to today... The camera is so different as well.
I have 33 screenplays on my couch as we speak... Study... Study... Study.
I bought one screenplay,
"Knives Out" from London!!!
I am very serious about paying you to read my manuscript and then I will write the screenplay.
NOW... if you're still reading this long dissertation... (God Bless YOU)...
I have been advise Not to write my screenplay for a MOVIE...
Neither TV Program... but for a
Limited Mini-Series TV Show...
Apparently, Limited Mini-Series is really catching on... it is between a Movie and TV Program ...
But... How does one do a Show Bible on a Limited Mini Series TV Show?
What are your thought on this
Sir William Gallagher?
You'll find it hard, practically impossible, to sell a mini-series without previous scriptwriting experience. I think this director makes good points but it's all such an enormous amount of work that I'd be cautious before taking it on. By publishing the manuscript as a book, I take it you mean rewriting it as a novel? There is precedent for that, but not I think for you then re-adapting the novel into a new script afterwards. If someone will buy the book rights, they might let you have a go at the script, but they will have established writers.
Forget rights and deals for the moment, forget bibles, is this story one that would work as a novel? If it is and you would like writing it, write it. Otherwise right now you have no guarantees and no promises of anything coming from it all. That doesn't mean it can't work, it means the chances are the other side of a lot of writing.
I'd suggest, if I may, that you could just write something new. Don't get too caught up in one idea, work on others as you can.
I don't read scripts for money, I know you have much better people you can ask about that. But I do have a friend who reads novel manuscripts professionally. If you'd like to email me on wg@williamgallagher.com, I'll put you two in touch.
@@WilliamGallagher
Thank you so much Mr.Gallagher for taking the time to read my long post, and answering it too.
You are Most kind.
The manuscript can be made into a novel... and the reason for publishing it first... whomever buys the script might want to buy the rights to the book too (long shot)...
I was told... "It doesn't matter if you only sell 3 books... YOU have the rights to that book... now go and write the screenplay too..."
I was already going to publish the book, but when the movie director suggested to also write the screenplay (movie)... he wanted to take it to HBO... but NOW that Netflix is in Albuquerque, New Mexico (US) where I will be living and they shoot many films there, just like they did with the movie "Oppenheimer"
about New Mexico
filmed in New Mexico.
I feel it might be easier to submit.
All of this is a long shot... and the ONLY reason I think it will work (the story) it is about New Mexico, in the 1950s...
I don't know about where you live, but here... Tourism goes a long way... like filming in a certain place, to "Showcase" that place, so people will want to come to visit our Beautiful State of New Mexico
"Land of Enchantment" is our state's slogan. (smile)
"Tourism...
Good publicity... Bad publicity...
who cares... just as long as they know your name." I once heard.
I wrote this manuscript in mind, the certain CITIES in my storyline on purpose. Like Albuquerque, New Mexico... Santa Fe... Los Alamos...
Ever hear of ROSWELL, NM (LOL)
Thank you again for all your help and I will email you once this falls into place.
Writing the screenplay... whether it be for TV... Movie... Limited Mini-Series is just another stepping stone so that the people interested, will already have something in hand.
We all know, once they get their hands on it... it will never be the same... they'll probably tear it to pieces and it will be unrecognizable.
BUT... the screenplay will have been written by ME...
I was told by someone on a movie set I was on back in 1992,
"Silent Tongue" filmed in Roswell, New Mexico (using cameras with REAL FILM) with
Sir Richard Harris (starring role)...
The quote was:
(paraphrasing)
"You don't have a shot in heaven, if you have not at least TRIED to show a Screenplay..." He said, "Not all can write... but nothing gets done without the writer..."
"Not one film or movie ever made unless the Writer wrote it..."
Sir Richard Harris was a very nice man. He is sorely missed. I remembered the day I found out that he had died... I cried.
That movie set, back in 1992 was the first time, I was on a movie set, and Mr. Harris took me under his wings, and guided me. Great man. Man of wisdom.
I have been very fortunate to have great mentors that have guided me, not allowing me to let my daydreams take hold, were my logic should have been.
"Good intentions, paved the road to hell."
Regardless, I would still want to write this as a screenplay, so I can also do a play on stage some day, which this was intended to be in the first place.
This poor story is having identity crisis.
*First it was supposed to be only written for a Play on Stage.
*Then I was told to write a screenplay for a movie.
*I decided to make it a manuscript so I could publish a book from it...
*But... I also want to write it as a screenplay...
Laughing...
"Regarding V13, I have noticed that most of the features added do not provide any real value to the user. It appears that the only reason for increasing the version number is to include these useless additions. As you have mentioned, the essential features are already secured, so there is no need to upgrade for such insignificant enhancements."
It must be hard for Final Draft, the company, since the app did get the core things right at the very start. There are alternatives to Final Draft that have taken interesting and modern new ways of working -- such as Highland 2 -- but I can't imagine Final Draft daring to make a radical shakeup and go in similar ways, even if it were to our benefit.
I laughed out loud at 3 minutes, 42 seconds. Hope your week is going well, we're still at clean up here, but I'm back to giving out chocolates. And honest review from you, good one.
Thank you. I thought my best gag was in the script from 11'22.
@@WilliamGallagher You could help me out a bit more here to say which one it was.
@@tripley66I'm not convinced that pointing at a joke will make it funnier. But I spent some time writing a script that you can see toward the end, a Star Wars one that ends with a beat pause and then an emoji. Since Final Draft now lets you do that and since I loathe it.
I haven’t upgraded since version 7. They’re offering version 13 for 89 bucks. Curious if you think that’s a good deal based on going from 7 to 13?
@@WilliamGallagher
I think it is sacrilege to have an "Emoji" on a script/screenplay...
Call me a purist.... (Laughing)
LOVE yr review william, not the slightest problem that FD13 appears underwhelming... if something's worth saying, SAY it! good on ya and keep up the great work!
Thank you, that's made me beam.
🤣@ "if you want to write like a child". True. True. Loving this.
Thank you.
FYI 50% discounts on FD for working film/tv/theatre and educational professionals,
DISCLAIMER: just sayin' 🙂(not a sponsored message!)
Thanks. I thought about this: I'm with the Writers' Guild of Great Britain and we get a steep discount -- I don't know if it's 50% -- but so far I've still not been tempted enough.
Mature products with diminishing improvements is, I think, a lot of the reason so many software developers are shifting to subscriptions.
Oh, wait; I wrote this in haste before you mentioned it can now do emojis. I take it all back. 😉
Yes, I don't mind supporting some apps through a subscription, if I use the apps regularly, but what annoys me is subscribing to apps that I might only use a handful of times a year but for which I cannot find a good alternative. For example, I like Sketch for graphic design, but I only dabble in that now and again.
Made me laugh. There's an interesting thing I hear from developers about how normally since you have to make a new release big enough for people to want to update, you save up all your best features until you can deliver them in one go. Whereas with a subscription, since the income is steady instead of in huge peaks, you can release new features as soon as they're ready.
I'm much the same. I mean, if I only use it twice a year but I really need it both times, maybe. But this is one reason I use Setapp: I am paying a monthly subscription but it's to a lot of apps so if I only use some of them each month, it feels like it works out well.
@@WilliamGallagher I think that, as long as the developer is honest and there's a way to get your data out of their software, then it can make sense. I do keep a spreadsheet of all the various subscriptions so that "well, it's only $5/mo" doesn't add up too much. 🤔
Thanks for this review, William. Maybe a three-biscuit guide in future? 🙂
Would you believe that there is one already? I'm embarrassed to say I'd forgotten it until right now, but only last year I did a 45-minute Three Biscuit Guide to version 12: th-cam.com/video/r9klgbNdolc/w-d-xo.html
@@WilliamGallagher thank you! Will be watching that.
I've never tried to write a screenplay. It seems, though, that writing a play which depends on actor execution isn't terribly different from writing a story plan dependent on the writer's future execution.
Is there some commonality between screenwriting and novel planning?
Always refreshing to hear your analysis.
I truly do not know. I do know that when it's a novel, everything is down to you. And when you're writing a script, your audience is the director, producer and cast, because only with them are you all then reaching your final audience together. And that means being aware that your script has to enable the director, the cast and so on. And it quietly means being aware that you need to subtly steer them to doing it the way you want. But planning, I'm clueless there.
Great video, thank you. You affirmed my hesitation about upgrading from 12 to 13. on a sidenote, I’m looking for a good book writing application for my MacBook and iPhone. Something fairly user-friendly. Any suggestions?
You'll already have Apple's Pages on both of those devices: have you tried that? Otherwise I'd suggest Scrivener: I use and like that a lot across Mac and iPad, plus there is an iPhone version. I think it's easy to start with; when you've finished writing and want to start sending the manuscript out then it can get more complicated. But that's only a slight hesitation you're hearing in my voice, generally I recommend Scrivener often.
Does it have a read back function?
Yes. Final Draft can read back your script with different voices for each character. I've not used it myself, but I just rechecked and it's there.
I don't have an existing product, and got this one a little discount. Makes sense?
There's always, always a sale on Final Draft. Won't ever be as big a discount as the upgrading fee, but there's always something. I glad you caught it.
Does anyone else feel that FD13 had an AI feature that they later pulled?
Ooooh.
I’ve not looked at the latest version, but Highland (now Highland 2) was getting quite a bit of attention a few years back - not sure if you’ve taken a look at it?
Yes, I reviewed it for somewhere a long time ago; whenever Highland 2 came out. It's very different and I liked it, but for some reason I've not kept using it. Possibly because even then I already had Final Draft and was used to it.
For someone who’s interested in writing outlines for TH-cam videos and screenplays on the side, which software would you recommend?
I have used Notion and iA Writer but would like the advice from someone who actually does this themselves. I am a student in University so I could definitely take advantage of the student discount for FD13. Please grant me your knowledge Obi-Wan, you’re my only hope.
(I have an iPhone & Mac but could get an iPad soon)
My instant, immediate reaction to any question about outlines and planning is OmnIOutliner, which I adore. In your case, though, you might be better off staying with Notion. The more you can get out of any one app, the better, I think: you’ll come to know it so well.
What really strikes me about this announcement is just how out of touch with the market Final Draft appear to be. Typewriter mode and writing stats? Those are de facto standard features in writing apps nowadays, even in cheap and simple markdown ones. Just now managing to implement them is not a good look at all and if FD had a modicum of self-awareness, they'd quietly slip this stuff in and pretend it was always there. Yet here they are, touting it as big features in the 100$ upgrade of their professional industry standard software. And then there's the emoji nonsense, this silly and desperate bid do look modern... I'd bet my monthly income the emoji idea comes from some old marketing exec there rather than the actual design team.
To be fair, the improvements to the beat board, outliner and navigators are quite nice and make me want to upgrade. Nothing flashy, sure, but precisely the kind of permanent workflow improvements I like to have. Maybe not at a 100$ though, that's a bit rich for a couple of iterative improvements to already existing features. Will wait for a discount.
I've wondered about this. Years and years ago, I was at an event where they had some support staff and all they could go on about was how FD's PDF and print page layout. I pointed out a bug in the then-new iPad version of FD and they said yes, that's an interesting one, isn't it? Didn't fill me with confidence.
Hard disagree. As an ADHD screenwriter I think the additional structural help is massive. Feels like I've been waiting 20 years for this set of features to arrive and mature. I realize it's subjective though - if you don't see the value in the new features, you probably don't need them.
But do you mean specifically the little improvements in version 13? You're right that I don't happen to need them, but I also still don't think that there is sufficient difference between 12 and 13 to make it a compelling upgrade.
I was really hoping the new version would have auto-spell correct...
The Mac’s own system-wide autocorrection isn’t enough? I’m away from my Mac at the moment and I’m wondering if I’ve just not noticed it failing to catch what other apps do.
Windows clone? Not sure where that came from but FD originated on Mac and has been Mac-ish ever since. Thanks.
Microsoft Word started on the Mac, too, but Microsoft switched it to Windows and ported back versions to the Mac. Quite disastrously at first. I don't know that Final Draft is doing the same, but from when I started using it around version 6 or 7 to really quite recently, it's been a poor Mac app and far more clunkily reminiscent of Windows. But as I say, much better now.
Wow, I'm going to spend $100 - 200 for emojis, colored prose, and dark mode! Spoiled.
Can't say I disagree at all, no.
wrote a screenplay that my executive producer feels a book writer needs help toWrote write a professional script. Can I send you my rewrite of Sacred Bones?
Your exec producer is asking for a rewrite? Are you under contract? If you haven't already, join the Writers' Guild in whichever country you're in because you need to be clear what you are and aren't being paid for.
I'm very sad about the fact that so much debate about 80$ upgrade to the app you use on daily basis. One trip to the grocery store costs much more.
That is a good point. I remember when software cost hundreds of pounds and I think it should. We’ve had a race to the bottom in pricing and that’s clearly bad. I know my economic situation is much different now, though, so I’m more conscious of what I see as value for money. Most of the time that’s a very easy calculation because my entire livelihood is what it is because of apps. But then you get cases like Final Draft where there’s quite a lot of sound and fury over the great new features - and you find they’re of little or no worth. For me, as an upgrader and also a member of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, the new Final Draft would cost me £50 and I keep meaning to do it, but I have nothing in the app itself compelling me and I do have other apps, other business costs pulling on me.
@@WilliamGallagher Basically you buy the bug fixes and updates for the coming years, I remember FD12 the story board was crashing and lagging non stop. For me stability is much more important than bells and whistles
@@scs_onewould Fade In be a good solution?
@@mr_red13 Try it yourself if it works for you, In case you'r planning to work for a big production house FD is the golden standard.
@@WilliamGallagher You're supposed to be a WORKING writer and you are whinging about "value for money?" EVERY one of the updates in FD13 will be of value to SOME writer who has been clamouring for them. Your take is akin to pooh poohing the opening of a local hardware store because you already own a trusty hammer. If FD were forcing users to upgrade, different story. Horse for courses, and all that.
I have 9
Then you would see a difference with 13, and I think you'd enjoy it, too. But the core features are the same, so.
@@WilliamGallagher they don't have talk and type yet right?
Keyboard Maestro 11 next?
I see what you did there.
Could you give me some would appreciate A man's experienced advice? I would appreciate professional advice. am a professional book writer
If this is about the script you mention in the other comment, I'm not the man for you: unquestionably, there are men and women who can give you infinitely better advice than I can. It will cost you or your production company, though, because script advice is a lot of work. Good luck with it.
WATCH all of his videos on TH-cam... You will be a smarter person for it.
@@WilliamGallagher
EXACTLY
hahahahahaha i love your humor
Thank you.