Professional Screenwriting Software: Fade In

Never use "FADE IN:" at the top of a spec script if you have a cold open (a scene that plays before the title card). In that case, just start with the scene heading. Save the Fade for after the teaser. What software are you currently using to write? Let me know in the comments below.

If you are a screenwriter, you know the feeling. You open a new document, and there is nothing but a blinking cursor on a white abyss. The pressure is on.

But for a professional, the first two words on that blank page aren't "Once upon a time." They are: fade in professional screenwriting software

If you are still writing in Microsoft Word, stop. If you are fighting with a free app that crashes when you hit page 90, stop.

Stop wrestling with your tools. Whether you use Fade In, Final Draft, or WriterSolo, learn the hotkey for "Transition" (usually Ctrl + 7 ). Start your script with authority. Fade in, and don't look back. Never use "FADE IN:" at the top of

Most software shows you a list of scene headings. Fade In shows you a color-coded map of your story. You can drag and drop an entire sequence from Act 2 to Act 1 in two seconds. It automatically re-numbers your scenes, updates the script, and fixes the pagination. For rewriting, this is magic.

Most professionals agree that you should bold or underline it. Standard Courier 12pt, left-aligned, followed by either a blank line or an immediate scene heading. What software are you currently using to write

has become the professional's choice for three specific reasons: