Is there a way to turn the beats from your story map into a scene list or index cards? I feel like I have to outline twice because I have to rewrite my beats as index cards after I have them exactly how I want them in the Story Map. (Maybe I'm using the Story Map wrong?)
Hi Bela, how do you switch to the mode where you can see the script AND the beat-board, side-by-side? You do it with a sample script, which opens in that view mode, but not your personal script; and I cannot figure out how to switch my own... the view mode seems to be either/or, but not both. The FD tutorial also skipped how to put them side-by-side. Your point about not carrying over the beats to the next draft ("save as") is very good, and perhaps FD will address it with an update. it seems like it should be an option for the user, and another option should be to share the script without the beat-board notes, not to share one's personal jottings (though you might want to let someone use a file to make revision marks). those don't seem like such hard fixes, but might take us writing to FD to make them aware. thank you!
Thanks for this video. I was interested in seeing what FD 10's outline capabilities are because I have considered switching to FD from Movie Magic Screenwriter - only because I am a little worried about the continued lack of updates or new versions for Screenwriter. One of the things that keeps me with MMSW, though, is that one can create outline elements (Act, Scene, Beat and so on) actually on the script page. I value this inordinately because it meshes completely with how I like to work - I like creating the elements on the page because it gives me a visual plan - I simply, literally, have to 'fill in the blanks' between the elements, and I can see exactly what I have accomplished, and what there is still to do, at a glance. And of course, one can reposition these elements easily. I do like the more modern look of FD more than Screenwriter's quite old appearance, but the outline capabilities of MMSW will keep me in that camp for a while yet.
You're welcome. The answer to that is simple: Final Draft does not have comparable "outline" or "note hierarchy" (however you want to call them) elements like MMSW does. You can outline in FD with said Beat Board / Story Map shown in this video, or with index cards. FD does have a note function that allows you to place notes to certain elements in the script and it will show you a flag at the margin of the page. You can also assign colors to those flags to differentiate between different kinds of notes. But FD does not have in-page-notes like MMSW does, where you can promote and demote elements to your liking. As for updates of MMSW, there is a version 6.5 coming up for Mac (in case you're working on Mac), and it also includes FD import and export (which was lacking in all previous versions). My advice to you: if the outline/notes element workflow of MMSW works well for you, stick with it. Yes, MMSW interface does look dated (I haven't seen the 6.5 look yet), and I know that this does affect the "feel" of a software, but in my opinion that's the "lesser evil" than having to change your workflow. Hope that answers your question, if you need more information let me know. You can also write me an email, find my contact information here: www.writersterritory.com/contact/ Cheers
Hi, Many thanks for your kind reply. I guess what I was trying to say was that the outline elements availabl in FD are less to my liking than those in MMSW, because MMSW's allow you to work directly in the script window. I am on Windows, although my writing partner has just downloaded the MMSW 6.5 update, and I am waiting to hear what that is like. I agree with you completely about not disrupting a workflow that works, and I am hopeful that MMSW will keep going. I do like it a lot, and for me, the dated appearance of the onscreen visuals are not a problem. Thanks again for your reply and offer or further contact.
Loved your tutorial and I think you do Scrivener ones too that have helped me. The metadata one is very useful. I have a question. When I click Sample Script, I get Final Draft's Sample script with that Sample script's beat board cards and structure points. How do I get FD to show my own script pages with corresponding Beats from my beat board? What am I doing wrong?
@@WritersTerritory I have the same question. FD has an instructional video, and like the sample, has the script on half the page and the beats,,etc., on the other. How do you set that up? I've spent a ton of time and can't figure it out. It's a split-screen of beat s and script. When I go to "view", I can pick beat board or script - not a combo. Thank you.
Is there a way to take the current script in Final Draft and create the beat board from it so that I can work through some issues? Can't figure it out. You said that you can only import and export the script. Does that mean from Beat board or just in general?
This is a really good video. Its amazing how much garbage it out there when it comes to these kinds of tutorials and this one is quite well done and helpful. I just upgraded from Final Draft 9 to Final Draft 10. I also have Dramatica Pro and Save the Cat software and heard that was supposed to be compatible with the Final Draft software, but sounds from this video like they are not. I'm still trying to figure out the Beat Points and Index Cards features and curious mostly how these features directly affect the screenplay, if they do at all, and how changing one item changes another. I'm curious to know how Final Draft 10 can make use of other story software tools like Dramatic and STC, if anything is worth doing in those that can be helpful in Final Draft. Thanks for the videos.
Hi Leon, I personally haven't tried to go back and forth between Save the Cat/Dramatica Pro and Final Draft 10. I haven't found a way to get export or import beat boards with FD10, I thought that would be something that many writers want. If you have information that suggests otherwise, please let me know, this would be great! As to your Index Cards question: With index cards, every index card refers to one scene in your script. If you reorder them, your scenes are reordered as well. The difference with beat points is that you can "stick" beat points to a certain script page to see how to structure the whole thing, but if you then hit that beat point on that certain page is up to you. You could also use the beat point the other way round: if you've written a script you could map all the story beats you already have and see on what page they are. That way you would get a better visual representation on your structure. Hope that helps! Thanks for your comments!
Is it not possible to export a PDF of the beat board? I have FD9 and am considering upgrading to FD10. But the inability to export the beat board would be a deal breaker for me. Please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Monish, I guess the short answer is: NO, you can't. PDF export is greyed out when you're working on the beat board area. The longer answer is: I haven't found a way yet to get the beat board data out of Final Draft. There is however a russian freeware program (still in beta) that claims to be able to import fdx files, including beat board data. The program is called "Ultra Outliner". In case you want to check it out here is the link: ultraoutliner.com/?locale=en But: on testing, I wasn't able to import a fdx file. Also some buttons were still in russian (which is another matter ;) ). SO: maybe there will be support for fdx beat board data from other vendors in the future, or, who knows, maybe Final Draft incorporates that functionality in future updates. Guess we'll have to wait and see. But for the time being I haven't found a way to export the beat board, no. Sorry.
Hi Silvio, sadly not that I know of. The only thing that comes to mind is (if it's too bad) change the screen resolution a bit so the text will become bigger. But I'm sure you've thought of that as well already and in my opinion it's not a viable workaround, sorry...
Please again more in-depth explain the difference between the uses of FD10 Beat Board & Story Map and Final Draft Index Cards. I don't understand because when you are thinking through a storyline, aren't scenes often considered? Thanks.
Hi AmatullahK, the difference is index cards are directly linked to a specific scene. If you go to the index cards view Final Draft will show you one index card per scene. Or if you work in the index card view and then go to script view you will have one corresponding scene for each card you created. On the Beat Board you can create as many notes as you want and not link them to anything if you don't want. But if you DO WANT you can connect them to a specific PAGE in your script because you want that event happening on that page. So, the way you use it is of course (as always) up to you, but the intention is that you use index cards to work on a scene-by-scene basis, whereas beat board and story map give you an overview of your structure, hence the link to a page. Does that answer your question?
Hi, I still don't see how the beat notes connect to the script page. I mean: I can see how to drag them to the bar and the little diamond appears, but I can't see that this bears any relation to the actual script. I was thinking that even if it didn't relate to the script in the way the index cards do (because we might want to experiment without actually altering the script), it might at least make a little note in the script that an idea in a beat note relates to this page. Is there something I have missed? (Good video by the way. No superfluous crap.)
Hi PermaHeretic, no, you didn't miss anything. The index cards DO have a reference to the script (to the scene to be exact), the beat notes can be connected to a page, but they DO NOT have a direct reference to the script content. It's just a note for you. It's really a tool for you to get your structure down, independent from the scenes (because you might juggle them around a lot). I hope that makes it clearer to you. Thanks, I try to keep the videos short and to the point.
Hi Bela, Quick question: Do you know if there's a way to outline a TV limited series using the beat board? I don't need to outline each scene of each episode, but the entire 10-episode series. Meaning: the outline will have 10 cards, one for each episode. Then I'd start outlining each individual episode, of course. Thanks so much for the info!
Hi, to be honest I'm not sure what kind of question you're asking. Are you asking what kinds of projects the beat board is useful for? Well, basically all of them since you can create and order the cards the way you want... Or are you asking how I would go about to outline a 10-episode series? That's hard to say with little information. Generally I like the cork-boardy feel of the Beat board, but with a 10-episode series I'm not sure if I would do it in Final Draft. Because most likely you're going to end up with 10 different scripts, meaning 10 different files. So, if you want the whole outlining for your series in one place, in which of those files is it going to be? Of course you could have one FD file just for the beat board and write the 10 scripts in 10 different files. But then you could also do the outlining in any other place. The nice thing about the Beat board is that you have it in the same file as your script. In your case I think that wouldn't be practical, but still... maybe I would have to know more about the way you plan to setup your project to give you a real opinion. Keep in mind that as of right now you cannot export the beat board cards...
Thanks so much for the detailed explanation, Bela! Yes, what I'm trying to do right now isn't to create the beats for each script, but to have the main description of each episode of the season as cards that can be moved around. Since it's a serial of individual stories (think of it as a collection of short stories), I need to be able to move around the cards, replace them, etc. Do you know if there's a software out there that can help with that? THANKS!!!!
Hm, good question. I still think that nothing trumps outlining with real index card. I mean, paper and cork board (or table). But if you want to have it digitally you could try Scapple from literatureandlatte.com. It's like a canvas where you can order your info any way you want. Then, if you want more writing capabilities and organisation behind it Scrivener is great. But they both cost money. Scapple is $14,99 and Scrivener is $45 right now I think. It depends on the amount of index cards (episodes, ...) you want to use in the end. Have you tried Evernote or equivalents? It's free and maybe also a good place to start before you spend money...
Hey thanks, I have a little question, How can I zoom in or out inside the beat board using a mac, I can't see the mini bar talked about in the user manual. Thanks again
Hi Chandala, I'm not sure which bar you're referring to because I couldn't find a "bar" mentioned in the FD10 user's manual in the beat board section... There are several possibilities to zoom on a MAC in the beat board: - hold command and use the mouse wheel or the touch surface of the mouse as if you were scrolling a page - hold command and hit +/- - pinch and zoom with the touchpad - to to the menu View - Zoom and choose a zoom setting Hope that helps!
This is the first video of yours I've watched. You're a great tutorialist! Thanks!
Thank you. Very much appreciated.
Great tutorial. I've subscribed. Thanks for it.
Well done. Clear and precise. Thanks for this video.
Helpful! Thanks.
Is there a way to turn the beats from your story map into a scene list or index cards? I feel like I have to outline twice because I have to rewrite my beats as index cards after I have them exactly how I want them in the Story Map. (Maybe I'm using the Story Map wrong?)
Hi Bela, how do you switch to the mode where you can see the script AND the beat-board, side-by-side? You do it with a sample script, which opens in that view mode, but not your personal script; and I cannot figure out how to switch my own... the view mode seems to be either/or, but not both. The FD tutorial also skipped how to put them side-by-side.
Your point about not carrying over the beats to the next draft ("save as") is very good, and perhaps FD will address it with an update. it seems like it should be an option for the user, and another option should be to share the script without the beat-board notes, not to share one's personal jottings (though you might want to let someone use a file to make revision marks). those don't seem like such hard fixes, but might take us writing to FD to make them aware.
thank you!
I have the same question. Did you figure it out?
Thanks for this video.
I was interested in seeing what FD 10's outline capabilities are because I have considered switching to FD from Movie Magic Screenwriter - only because I am a little worried about the continued lack of updates or new versions for Screenwriter.
One of the things that keeps me with MMSW, though, is that one can create outline elements (Act, Scene, Beat and so on) actually on the script page.
I value this inordinately because it meshes completely with how I like to work - I like creating the elements on the page because it gives me a visual plan - I simply, literally, have to 'fill in the blanks' between the elements, and I can see exactly what I have accomplished, and what there is still to do, at a glance.
And of course, one can reposition these elements easily.
I do like the more modern look of FD more than Screenwriter's quite old appearance, but the outline capabilities of MMSW will keep me in that camp for a while yet.
You're welcome.
The answer to that is simple: Final Draft does not have comparable "outline" or "note hierarchy" (however you want to call them) elements like MMSW does. You can outline in FD with said Beat Board / Story Map shown in this video, or with index cards. FD does have a note function that allows you to place notes to certain elements in the script and it will show you a flag at the margin of the page. You can also assign colors to those flags to differentiate between different kinds of notes.
But FD does not have in-page-notes like MMSW does, where you can promote and demote elements to your liking.
As for updates of MMSW, there is a version 6.5 coming up for Mac (in case you're working on Mac), and it also includes FD import and export (which was lacking in all previous versions).
My advice to you: if the outline/notes element workflow of MMSW works well for you, stick with it. Yes, MMSW interface does look dated (I haven't seen the 6.5 look yet), and I know that this does affect the "feel" of a software, but in my opinion that's the "lesser evil" than having to change your workflow.
Hope that answers your question, if you need more information let me know. You can also write me an email, find my contact information here:
www.writersterritory.com/contact/
Cheers
Hi,
Many thanks for your kind reply.
I guess what I was trying to say was that the outline elements availabl in FD are less to my liking than those in MMSW, because MMSW's allow you to work directly in the script window.
I am on Windows, although my writing partner has just downloaded the MMSW 6.5 update, and I am waiting to hear what that is like.
I agree with you completely about not disrupting a workflow that works, and I am hopeful that MMSW will keep going. I do like it a lot, and for me, the dated appearance of the onscreen visuals are not a problem.
Thanks again for your reply and offer or further contact.
Loved your tutorial and I think you do Scrivener ones too that have helped me. The metadata one is very useful. I have a question. When I click Sample Script, I get Final Draft's Sample script with that Sample script's beat board cards and structure points. How do I get FD to show my own script pages with corresponding Beats from my beat board? What am I doing wrong?
You can drag and drop your beat cards and structure points from the beat board onto the story map. Is that what your question is about?
@@WritersTerritory I have the same question. FD has an instructional video, and like the sample, has the script on half the page and the beats,,etc., on the other. How do you set that up? I've spent a ton of time and can't figure it out. It's a split-screen of beat s and script. When I go to "view", I can pick beat board or script - not a combo. Thank you.
Is there a way to take the current script in Final Draft and create the beat board from it so that I can work through some issues? Can't figure it out. You said that you can only import and export the script. Does that mean from Beat board or just in general?
hi and thanks... why I cant move my cards on my beats? they dont move at all... is there something wrong about my camputer?
What is your opinion about the Beat Board and the Story Map?
This is a really good video. Its amazing how much garbage it out there when it comes to these kinds of tutorials and this one is quite well done and helpful. I just upgraded from Final Draft 9 to Final Draft 10. I also have Dramatica Pro and Save the Cat software and heard that was supposed to be compatible with the Final Draft software, but sounds from this video like they are not. I'm still trying to figure out the Beat Points and Index Cards features and curious mostly how these features directly affect the screenplay, if they do at all, and how changing one item changes another.
I'm curious to know how Final Draft 10 can make use of other story software tools like Dramatic and STC, if anything is worth doing in those that can be helpful in Final Draft. Thanks for the videos.
Hi Leon, I personally haven't tried to go back and forth between Save the Cat/Dramatica Pro and Final Draft 10. I haven't found a way to get export or import beat boards with FD10, I thought that would be something that many writers want. If you have information that suggests otherwise, please let me know, this would be great!
As to your Index Cards question: With index cards, every index card refers to one scene in your script. If you reorder them, your scenes are reordered as well. The difference with beat points is that you can "stick" beat points to a certain script page to see how to structure the whole thing, but if you then hit that beat point on that certain page is up to you.
You could also use the beat point the other way round: if you've written a script you could map all the story beats you already have and see on what page they are. That way you would get a better visual representation on your structure.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for your comments!
Is it not possible to export a PDF of the beat board? I have FD9 and am considering upgrading to FD10. But the inability to export the beat board would be a deal breaker for me. Please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Monish,
I guess the short answer is: NO, you can't. PDF export is greyed out when you're working on the beat board area.
The longer answer is: I haven't found a way yet to get the beat board data out of Final Draft.
There is however a russian freeware program (still in beta) that claims to be able to import fdx files, including beat board data.
The program is called "Ultra Outliner". In case you want to check it out here is the link:
ultraoutliner.com/?locale=en
But: on testing, I wasn't able to import a fdx file. Also some buttons were still in russian (which is another matter ;) ).
SO: maybe there will be support for fdx beat board data from other vendors in the future, or, who knows, maybe Final Draft incorporates that functionality in future updates. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
But for the time being I haven't found a way to export the beat board, no. Sorry.
Bela, thanks for your video. Is there a way to change the size of the font in the Beat Board. The default size is very small for my taste.
Hi Silvio, sadly not that I know of. The only thing that comes to mind is (if it's too bad) change the screen resolution a bit so the text will become bigger. But I'm sure you've thought of that as well already and in my opinion it's not a viable workaround, sorry...
Please again more in-depth explain the difference between the uses of FD10 Beat Board & Story Map and Final Draft Index Cards. I don't understand because when you are thinking through a storyline, aren't scenes often considered? Thanks.
Hi AmatullahK, the difference is index cards are directly linked to a specific scene. If you go to the index cards view Final Draft will show you one index card per scene. Or if you work in the index card view and then go to script view you will have one corresponding scene for each card you created.
On the Beat Board you can create as many notes as you want and not link them to anything if you don't want. But if you DO WANT you can connect them to a specific PAGE in your script because you want that event happening on that page.
So, the way you use it is of course (as always) up to you, but the intention is that you use index cards to work on a scene-by-scene basis, whereas beat board and story map give you an overview of your structure, hence the link to a page.
Does that answer your question?
Yes! Thanks!
Hi, I still don't see how the beat notes connect to the script page. I mean: I can see how to drag them to the bar and the little diamond appears, but I can't see that this bears any relation to the actual script. I was thinking that even if it didn't relate to the script in the way the index cards do (because we might want to experiment without actually altering the script), it might at least make a little note in the script that an idea in a beat note relates to this page. Is there something I have missed? (Good video by the way. No superfluous crap.)
Hi PermaHeretic,
no, you didn't miss anything. The index cards DO have a reference to the script (to the scene to be exact), the beat notes can be connected to a page, but they DO NOT have a direct reference to the script content. It's just a note for you. It's really a tool for you to get your structure down, independent from the scenes (because you might juggle them around a lot).
I hope that makes it clearer to you.
Thanks, I try to keep the videos short and to the point.
Hi Bela, Quick question: Do you know if there's a way to outline a TV limited series using the beat board? I don't need to outline each scene of each episode, but the entire 10-episode series. Meaning: the outline will have 10 cards, one for each episode. Then I'd start outlining each individual episode, of course. Thanks so much for the info!
Hi, to be honest I'm not sure what kind of question you're asking. Are you asking what kinds of projects the beat board is useful for? Well, basically all of them since you can create and order the cards the way you want...
Or are you asking how I would go about to outline a 10-episode series? That's hard to say with little information. Generally I like the cork-boardy feel of the Beat board, but with a 10-episode series I'm not sure if I would do it in Final Draft. Because most likely you're going to end up with 10 different scripts, meaning 10 different files. So, if you want the whole outlining for your series in one place, in which of those files is it going to be? Of course you could have one FD file just for the beat board and write the 10 scripts in 10 different files. But then you could also do the outlining in any other place. The nice thing about the Beat board is that you have it in the same file as your script. In your case I think that wouldn't be practical, but still... maybe I would have to know more about the way you plan to setup your project to give you a real opinion.
Keep in mind that as of right now you cannot export the beat board cards...
Thanks so much for the detailed explanation, Bela!
Yes, what I'm trying to do right now isn't to create the beats for each script, but to have the main description of each episode of the season as cards that can be moved around. Since it's a serial of individual stories (think of it as a collection of short stories), I need to be able to move around the cards, replace them, etc. Do you know if there's a software out there that can help with that? THANKS!!!!
Are you working on MAC or PC?
Mac (latest version).
Hm, good question. I still think that nothing trumps outlining with real index card. I mean, paper and cork board (or table). But if you want to have it digitally you could try Scapple from literatureandlatte.com. It's like a canvas where you can order your info any way you want. Then, if you want more writing capabilities and organisation behind it Scrivener is great. But they both cost money. Scapple is $14,99 and Scrivener is $45 right now I think.
It depends on the amount of index cards (episodes, ...) you want to use in the end.
Have you tried Evernote or equivalents? It's free and maybe also a good place to start before you spend money...
Hey thanks, I have a little question, How can I zoom in or out inside the beat board using a mac, I can't see the mini bar talked about in the user manual. Thanks again
Hi Chandala, I'm not sure which bar you're referring to because I couldn't find a "bar" mentioned in the FD10 user's manual in the beat board section...
There are several possibilities to zoom on a MAC in the beat board:
- hold command and use the mouse wheel or the touch surface of the mouse as if you were scrolling a page
- hold command and hit +/-
- pinch and zoom with the touchpad
- to to the menu View - Zoom and choose a zoom setting
Hope that helps!
Sorry, I was watching the Windows user manual, Thanks so much.
Need notepad
No way to paste/import photos or graphics to Beatboard?