Danielmedley.com

I’ve Been Dabbling

With Sophocles 2007 beta. I’ve used the 2005-2006 beta for a couple of years and have been very happy with it. I’m not exactly sure what the differences are with the 2007 version because I didn’t use the previous versions very much.

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time working on a script with the 2007 beta and I must say that it’s been great. Of course, I can’t compare it to programs like Final Draft because I don’t feel like forking over 230 bones. The one obvious drawback I do see for Sophocles is the fact that it is PC only, so Mac users are SOL.

I’m about halfway through a first draft and I’ve found the scene, sequence, and step features to by way useful. At first I was thinking that a feature in which you could generate and manipulate scene cards would be handy, but now that I’ve gotten used to using the sequence and step features, I’ve found that I don’t need a scene card feature. That said, I still use the old fashioned real scene cards. I like to sit in bed before falling asleep and experiment; mixing and matching them. When I come across something especially nifty, I simply transfer the idea to Sophocles’s sequence, scene, and step feature.

Anyway, from my admittedly limited experience, I recommend you go download the beta and have a go. 

ah, Sophocles...a great program.

have used it for one full screenplay, 3 unfinished and two unfinished teleplays. it’s robust, has all the features you could ever need PLUS SOME, and it’s easy to use (the most important feature, i think).

maybe i’ll get to read this screenplay when it’s finished, Daniel? <<hint hint>>

Oh, yeah. When I’m done with this first draft I’m hoping for your insights.

Also, have you been able to see the difference in the feature sets between versions 2005 and 2007?

I’m just curious.

you know, i’ve not spent a lot of time with 2007, but what little time i did i didn’t notice any differences. keep in mind, though, that i use probably 10% (or less) of Sophocles’s capabilities. i know how to do what i need to do, and that’s about it. you know?

have you noticed anything different? any cool new features that are handy?

I haven’t noticed anything overtly different with the exception that, apparently, after you modify sequences or steps in 2006, the file can no longer be opened in 2007.

As far as handy goes, I’m really getting into the whole Step, and Sequence thing, but it’s not new from 2006 (I don’t think). You can treat it almost like you would scene cards, by creating an outline of Sequences, Scenes, and Steps. You can rearrange them simply by dragging them around. Working with and getting familiar with this has proven to be pretty damned useful for me.

sweet...i’ve not used that feature in 2006, but i’m gonna mess around with it and see what it can do. i might be missing out on something here…

that’s kind of annoying about the incompatibility of 2006 and 2007. i wonder what that’s about. i wonder if it was unintentional? maybe you should send them a note about it…

anyway, we’ll talk more about it the next time we get together, no doubt!