VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- How To / Troubleshooting (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=2)
-- Gamboy70 (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=13402)

Hi GB,

i read a post you wrote that said

___
One thing I couldn't do up until now on the Visor was write scripts on it with the Stowaway. About two weeks ago, I figured out that when you save a script in FD as an RTF, each new element (character names, slug lines, actions, transitions, line directions) is coded as column 1, regardless of where it appears on the page. So I took a page of my script, typed it into WordSmith with each new element beginning at column 1, saved the page as an .rtf, synched it to Word (still as .rtf), opened the file in FD choosing the "Screenplay" format option, and voila! It comes up perfectly formatted. I can now write my scripts directly in WordSmith on the Visor, open them in Final Draft, and save them in Final Draft's file format. I only need FD to format a script now, not to write it.
____

but don't exactly understand what you mean. what does this line mean: "typed it into WordSmith with each new element beginning at column 1"?

maybe i'm out of it but i don't understand the part about "columns".

i use moviemagic2000 (previously script thing) and am wondering if i can somehow do the same.

could you elaborate on what you're doing in wordsmith?

thanks,

mensa

I haven't used MovieMagic since it was called ScriptThing, and back then I never used any file format other than its native one. But if MM2K can import RTF docs, you should be able to pull it off.

When you save document edited in Final Draft as an RTF, then import that document into Word, you'll notice that when the cursor is positioned at the beginning of each new element -- regardless of where it's positioned -- registers as column 1 (a column being the horizontal coordinate on the page). So in Rich Text Format, a character name at the center of the page is regarded as the left-hand margin. Here's an example of what a page of script looks like on WordSmith:

quote:

---

INT. DARK OFFICE - NIGHT
The office is dark. Hunched over the desk, staring intensely at the computer, sit a WRITER.
WRITER
(excited)
I sured hope my bid for the old manuscript on eBay was accepted.
CUT TO:
EXT. STUDIO LOT - DAY
A STUDIO EXEC with a handheld computer surfs the web with his wireless connection.
EXEC
(to himself)
This looks like an interesting manuscript. I should take a chance on it. Beats having to read all those scripts in my office. The law of averages says it's probably not any worse than that crap.
He fiddles on the handheld some more.
EXEC (CONT'D)
Current bid's two bucks? What the hell, I'll bid three.

---

1. Each new element (e.g. character names, line directions, dialogue, transitions and actions) begins at the left margin following a carriage return.
   
2. Save in Rich Text Format.
   
3. Synch it to desktop
   
4. Open in screenwriting program, selecting "Screenplay" format if a dialogue prompt offers this option
   
5. Save As screenwriting program's native format, if desired
   

Thanks man! this worked like a charm.

mensa