Depth of Options
The software has multiple tabs through which one can use its different features, but many of them might take some getting used to. The Outline tab helps with organization, but Movie Outline's format is to separate the screenplay into steps, or events, rather than scenes. This seems a bit odd, and perhaps could get to be almost too much organization, but one easily could make separation by scene instead, and can also choose to view the entire script instead of just by steps.
The next tab contains the script, which can be viewed all together or just each step individually. The typing format is similar to other like software, but there are some differences. Some software programs will automatically identify action header words "INT." and "EXT," create a header, and bring up dialogue boxes to select the appropriate scenes and times; Movie Outline will automatically detect and capitalize a slug line after one types "INT." or "EXT," but it doesn't bring up dialogue boxes. To get that option, one must hit the "Enter" key twice which will bring up a dialogue box where one can choose Scene Heading, Action, Character, Transition, and so forth. After selecting Scene Heading, the dialogue boxes will pop up – one must just use the "Tab" key to get to each element. "Tab" also indents for dialogue as well. One thing that I found annoying, though, was trying to get from dialogue back to action – one has to use a keyboard shortcut which can only be found in the User's Guide - though all of the default settings can be changed in the Elements section of the Format menu.
Elements of a script can be easily chosen from drop-down menus.
The Notes tab is a great feature – its basically a notepad and is separated by section so one can make multiple notes without getting confused. Those who like to stick them into the script might be frustrated with having to switch tabs, but it does make the script look a lot neater when not filled with "digital post-its." One of the best features, in my opinion, is the character tab. There, using the character wizard, one can put in basic information as well as a biography, character arc, notes, relationships, and there's even an interview section full of questions that you can "ask" of your character. The only way this feature could be more in-depth is if this software could literally bring the character to life in front of you, like Samantha in Bewitched.
