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I'm a scriptwriter - is the iPad right for me?
- Thread starter tekno
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Yes, get it!
Seeing as you are a Professional,
get the App called Index Card, as it interfaces with Final Draft. You can organize your cards and thoughts while story boarding, rearrange them, view in paragraph, etc. That alone is worth your money, even if you do not do a lot of typing on the iPad, being able to go somewhere and reflect on your thoughts. It will be nicer with the dictate option on the iPad 3 (I hope).
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/index-card/id389358786?mt=8
Seeing as you are a Professional,
get the App called Index Card, as it interfaces with Final Draft. You can organize your cards and thoughts while story boarding, rearrange them, view in paragraph, etc. That alone is worth your money, even if you do not do a lot of typing on the iPad, being able to go somewhere and reflect on your thoughts. It will be nicer with the dictate option on the iPad 3 (I hope). http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/index-card/id389358786?mt=8
Another screenwriter here. I am actually loving the iPad as a supplemental writing device. Will it replace my MBP and Scrivener? Not 100%, of course, but I actually have found I really enjoy writing on it... for first drafts.
The most important part for me is just getting it down, and strangely the iPad (with its full-screen apps and not-quite-true-multi-tasking) helps me focus for longer periods of time. I sync Scrivener to Dropbox and then use iA Writer to draft up each scene. Is it formatted properly? No. However, using John August's Fountain syntax, I can easily convert the text files into .fdx or .pdf. Plus by using straight text files, I can work on the script anywhere on any device.
I also sync Scrivener with Index Cards, and it provides a really fantastic outline method. Its a virtual cork board, and it means I can rearrange scenes at any point in time.
Also, many of you guys are forgetting one of the most important aspects of being a writer, and thats being a reader. The iPad is far and away the best device to read .pdf screenplays on.
If you only have a single device, of course a MBP or MBA will be the best choice. However, together, they can really make the ultimate pair.
First drafts, outlines, and reading - iPad (with BT keyboard)
Revisions, and formatting - MBP/MBA
The most important part for me is just getting it down, and strangely the iPad (with its full-screen apps and not-quite-true-multi-tasking) helps me focus for longer periods of time. I sync Scrivener to Dropbox and then use iA Writer to draft up each scene. Is it formatted properly? No. However, using John August's Fountain syntax, I can easily convert the text files into .fdx or .pdf. Plus by using straight text files, I can work on the script anywhere on any device.
I also sync Scrivener with Index Cards, and it provides a really fantastic outline method. Its a virtual cork board, and it means I can rearrange scenes at any point in time.
Also, many of you guys are forgetting one of the most important aspects of being a writer, and thats being a reader. The iPad is far and away the best device to read .pdf screenplays on.
If you only have a single device, of course a MBP or MBA will be the best choice. However, together, they can really make the ultimate pair.
First drafts, outlines, and reading - iPad (with BT keyboard)
Revisions, and formatting - MBP/MBA
I am a wanna be professional writer. I wrote my first book and its just about ready to send to an agent. I work in the tech field. My first book was written on a macbook air 13 inch, found the 11 to small. I am getting rid of my macbook air because I want to write my second book with diction. No more typing for me. It will be a big change, but I see it being much faster. I have a cheap windows 7 machine as a backup if I have to use it, but I think the next generation will grow up without keyboards soon.
Why must people insist on typing so much anymore? Once I installed Dragon NaturallySpeaking on my Windows 7 box last year, I never looked back. Sure I have a nice Filco mechanical keyboard with cherry brown switches that I use a little when I'm at my PC, but I speak out 95% of everything nowadays (which is a lot since I'm a translator).
Sure, the Dragon Dictation app for the iPad/iPhone leaves a little bit to be desired at this point in time (mainly because you have to have an Internet connection for it to work, and it is not as fast as the regular version for Windows). But with the new iPad and the voice-recognition engine, I am pretty sure I will end up typing very little once I get it. People can just speak so much faster than they can type, especially on an iPad keyboard.
I swear to the ghost of Steve Jobs that I do not work for Nuance (which makes Dragon), but anyone that insists on continuing to type everything out instead of using Dragon just is not with the game. Writers especially should be required to use this software.
It is actually on sale right now (St. Patty's day sale), so hooray for my timing with this post.
I recommend no piece of software more highly. Here's a link to it:
http://www.nuance.com/getdragon/?ut...on&utm_term=voice_recognition_software_dragon
Get the Premium version if you want to use the main Microsoft programs without ever having to touch your mouse or keyboard. Otherwise, go Home version or Professional (for voice macros, which are INCREDIBLY AWESOME, but the package costs $600, so.... not so awesome).
Sure, the Dragon Dictation app for the iPad/iPhone leaves a little bit to be desired at this point in time (mainly because you have to have an Internet connection for it to work, and it is not as fast as the regular version for Windows). But with the new iPad and the voice-recognition engine, I am pretty sure I will end up typing very little once I get it. People can just speak so much faster than they can type, especially on an iPad keyboard.
I swear to the ghost of Steve Jobs that I do not work for Nuance (which makes Dragon), but anyone that insists on continuing to type everything out instead of using Dragon just is not with the game. Writers especially should be required to use this software.
It is actually on sale right now (St. Patty's day sale), so hooray for my timing with this post.
I recommend no piece of software more highly. Here's a link to it:
http://www.nuance.com/getdragon/?ut...on&utm_term=voice_recognition_software_dragon
Get the Premium version if you want to use the main Microsoft programs without ever having to touch your mouse or keyboard. Otherwise, go Home version or Professional (for voice macros, which are INCREDIBLY AWESOME, but the package costs $600, so.... not so awesome).
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Ditto. I make my living writing scripts and Pages doesn't sound like any professional I know. What you need is a laptop. Any laptop. Mac or otherwise. And get Final Draft! Or at least get an assistant that already owns Final Draft to transcribe your *ahem* scripts written on Pages.
Agree... also when you buy the upgrade of Final Draft you get the full version. To buy the upgrade you just have to enter a serial of a prior version. So there are some ways to purchase a legal copy cheap, and then you have your very own legal copy for later upgrades.
Thanks for all the replies
Unfortunately, this is what I suspected. I still can't see the iPad being a useful tool for me. Odd to have Mac, iPad, Pages and iCloud all by Apple but they don't sync automatically. Makes me wonder if Apple developers even use Apple products day-to-day.
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I can assure you I do a lot of writing.
I write for a very popular soap in the UK, have written two sit-coms and have co-written and/or edited several movies. Admittedly not all on Pages.
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Thanks for this, but actually BBC Scriptwriter is what I was brought-up on and have used the most - but it doesn't work on a Mac. And its old.
I'll buy cheap, tacky apps as and when Apple have a useable workflow solution that includes the iPad.
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I think my OP didn't come across correctly. I wanted to know if Pages/the iPad could be a useful two-machine, auto-syncing system to allow me to write in the office and when out-and-about without endless file switching.
Unfortunately, this is what I suspected. I still can't see the iPad being a useful tool for me. Odd to have Mac, iPad, Pages and iCloud all by Apple but they don't sync automatically. Makes me wonder if Apple developers even use Apple products day-to-day.
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I can assure you I do a lot of writing.
I write for a very popular soap in the UK, have written two sit-coms and have co-written and/or edited several movies. Admittedly not all on Pages.
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Seeing as you are a Professional,
Thanks for this, but actually BBC Scriptwriter is what I was brought-up on and have used the most - but it doesn't work on a Mac. And its old.
I'll buy cheap, tacky apps as and when Apple have a useable workflow solution that includes the iPad.
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I think my OP didn't come across correctly. I wanted to know if Pages/the iPad could be a useful two-machine, auto-syncing system to allow me to write in the office and when out-and-about without endless file switching.
I write nonfiction and use my Mac mini, the apple Bluetooth keyboard, great tactile feel and FAST -- 23 inch hp monitor with matte screen that swivels and tilts and offers both landscape and portrait modes, and ms word 2011. I email each chapter to myself and read later on my iPad for problems. Sometimes I'll use my MacBook pro if I get tired of being chained to my office desk. But I don't see writing long form on my iPad 2 or new 3.