Movie Outline
Encyclopedia
Movie Outline is a word processing
program to step outline
a cinematic story and format a screenplay
. It was created by Dan Bronzite, a produced UK screenwriter. It was first released in 2004 as an outliner but has expanded its features in later releases.
The software is based on the principle of step-outlining, whereby a writer creates their story step-by-step before writing the screenplay. This essential process is sometimes overlooked by the novice writer who may prefer to jump headfirst into writing their full screenplay before properly planning their story structure. However, this approach normally results in more rewrites in the long run.
One of Movie Outline's interesting features are its "Reference Plugins" which allow you to simultaneously compare the progress of your own story with comprehensive outlines and analyses of successful Hollywood movies.
Automatic Script-Formatting - Automatically formats your script for you as you type through auto-complete and keyboard shortcuts.
Character Development - Allows you to create character profiles and develop their arc for each step of your story.
Color-Coded Story Structuring - Your story and script can be structured into color-coded acts (or chapters if writing a novel etc.) and the structures you create can be saved as templates. Software includes sample templates such as the Hero's Journey (Mythic Structure) and the classic three-act structure.
Dialogue Focus Tools - This feature allows you to isolate voice-over or dialogue between two characters allowing you to create unique characters and consistent voices.
Story Analysis Tools - Uses "FeelFactors" to analyze the pacing of your story (conflict, tension, action etc.) through a visual graph.
Reference Movie Breakdowns - Includes outlines and anaylses of successful produced Hollywood movies that you can compare with your own projects as you write.
Drag and Drop Index Cards - Organizational tool that allows you to rearrange your story structure.
Cross-Platform - Documents can be exchanged between Windows and Mac platforms.
Import & Export - Imports plain text documents that have been written in standard word processors or other script-formatting software and automatically reformats them to industry standard screenplay format. Exports documents to many file formats including Rich Text, HTML (web page), Adobe Acrobat
PDF
and Movie Outline's own secure reference format.
Macintosh
Word processing
Word processing is the creation of documents using a word processor. It can also refer to advanced shorthand techniques, sometimes used in specialized contexts with a specially modified typewriter.-External links:...
program to step outline
Step outline
A step outline is a detailed telling of a story with the intention of turning the story into a screenplay for a motion picture....
a cinematic story and format a screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
. It was created by Dan Bronzite, a produced UK screenwriter. It was first released in 2004 as an outliner but has expanded its features in later releases.
The software is based on the principle of step-outlining, whereby a writer creates their story step-by-step before writing the screenplay. This essential process is sometimes overlooked by the novice writer who may prefer to jump headfirst into writing their full screenplay before properly planning their story structure. However, this approach normally results in more rewrites in the long run.
One of Movie Outline's interesting features are its "Reference Plugins" which allow you to simultaneously compare the progress of your own story with comprehensive outlines and analyses of successful Hollywood movies.
Program features
Fully-integrated Step Outlining - Allows you to develop your story, script and characters step-by-step.Automatic Script-Formatting - Automatically formats your script for you as you type through auto-complete and keyboard shortcuts.
Character Development - Allows you to create character profiles and develop their arc for each step of your story.
Color-Coded Story Structuring - Your story and script can be structured into color-coded acts (or chapters if writing a novel etc.) and the structures you create can be saved as templates. Software includes sample templates such as the Hero's Journey (Mythic Structure) and the classic three-act structure.
Dialogue Focus Tools - This feature allows you to isolate voice-over or dialogue between two characters allowing you to create unique characters and consistent voices.
Story Analysis Tools - Uses "FeelFactors" to analyze the pacing of your story (conflict, tension, action etc.) through a visual graph.
Reference Movie Breakdowns - Includes outlines and anaylses of successful produced Hollywood movies that you can compare with your own projects as you write.
Drag and Drop Index Cards - Organizational tool that allows you to rearrange your story structure.
Cross-Platform - Documents can be exchanged between Windows and Mac platforms.
Import & Export - Imports plain text documents that have been written in standard word processors or other script-formatting software and automatically reformats them to industry standard screenplay format. Exports documents to many file formats including Rich Text, HTML (web page), Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is a family of application software developed by Adobe Systems to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in Portable Document Format . All members of the family, except Adobe Reader , are commercial software, while the latter is available as freeware and can be downloaded...
Portable Document Format
Portable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
and Movie Outline's own secure reference format.
System requirements
Windows- Vista/XP/2000 operating system
- 52 MB of free hard disk space
- 1 GHz CPU or higher
- Intel Pentium/Celeron Compatible Processor
- 512 MB of RAM.
- VGA or higher monitor resolution
Macintosh
- OS X 10.3.9 or above
- 75 MB of free hard disk space
- 1 GHz CPU or higher
- G4 or above PowerPC or Intel processor
- 512 MB of RAM
- VGA or higher monitor resolution