KIT Scenarist is a comprehensive, free, and open-source screenwriting software developed by Dimka Novikov Labs, tailored to meet international standards in film production. Here is a detailed overview of what the product does and its key features:
Purpose and Scope
KIT Scenarist is designed as a full-featured studio for creating stories from the initial idea to the final script ready for production. It is not limited to screenplays but can also be used for other writing projects such as stage plays, novels, graphic novels, and comic series.
Key Features
Interface and Navigation
The software features a clean and user-friendly interface with three main columns:
- A narrow column on the left for navigation through sections like Start, Research, Cards, Script, Statistics, Tools, and Settings.
- A slightly wider column displaying Script, Characters, Locations, and Documents.
- The bulk of the screen is a dynamic work area that changes based on the selected section.
Research Module
This module allows users to gather and organize all necessary materials for the project in one place. It includes the ability to save basic information about the script (name, logline, synopsis), fill out the title page, manage lists of characters and locations, and store various materials such as text documents, images, links to web pages, and mind maps.
Script Editor
The script editor automates the formatting process according to industry standards, allowing users to focus solely on the story. It includes shortcuts for quick formatting changes (e.g., Scene Heading, Character, Action, Dialogue) and automatically updates scene headings, character names, and other elements as you write.
Cards Module
This feature provides a visual way to work with the script structure using cards that can be arranged on a board. Users can color, note, group, and lay out the acts, with changes reflecting instantly in the script text and vice versa. This module is particularly useful for graphic novels and comic series.
Statistics and Analysis
KIT Scenarist offers various statistical overviews, including the distribution of dialogue among characters, locations, and the overall structure of the script. It also estimates the running time of each scene and the total script, helping users manage the length and pacing of their work.
Collaboration and Backup
The software allows for collaboration through a paid cloud service, enabling users to share their work-in-progress files, including graphics, on cloud services like Dropbox. It also features automatic backup every five minutes, with the option to restore previous versions.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
KIT Scenarist is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android, making it accessible across different devices.
Updates and Community
The software is actively updated every month, with over 70 versions released to date. It is used by more than 10,000 screenwriters daily, indicating a robust and supportive user community.
In summary, KIT Scenarist is a versatile and powerful tool for writers, offering a range of features that streamline the writing process, enhance organization, and facilitate collaboration, all while adhering to industry standards in film production.