INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY — The steam rises slowly from the cup.

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon. EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT — Rain slicks the pavement neon.

FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO: FADE IN: A world built for storytellers. CUT TO:

(V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..." (V.O.) "It starts with a single page..."

CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO: CLOSE UP on the keyboard. Fingers flying. DISSOLVE TO:

Manifesto

Although it may sound grandiose, the term “manifesto” was chosen deliberately to characterize the scope of Scenarly’s ambitions. These ambitions, which are nothing revolutionary on their own, express, when taken together, Scenarly’s unique identity within the screenplay editor landscape. The very existence of this project stems from the realization that, as a computer science student and amateur screenwriter, I couldn’t find a tool that suited my needs. What was missing back then was ergonomics, affordable pricing, or cross-platform availability. Writing screenplays isn’t everyone’s full-time job, and not everyone can afford high-priced software, assuming it’s even worth it in the first place.

What few or no screenplay software companies will tell you is that they develop completely dispensable tools, yet convince you otherwise just to write a good script. The truth is that stories have never waited for nor needed specific margins or the Courier font to be told. Many people get along just fine without these tools, writing their stories in Word or Notepad; let’s give them a reason to switch. If screenwriters are opting out of these tools or using them begrudgingly for lack of a better alternative, it is up to us to offer tools that meet the challenge and forge a new path. A path that respects their habits, never limits their projects behind a paywall or watermark, works without an internet connection, collects no data, keeps its source code open, and is available across all platforms. Scenarly addresses all these issues at once.

Transparency

This is the first of Scenarly’s three core values. Though it might seem political at first glance, choosing open development for Scenarly was my intention right from the project’s inception in 2022. It isn’t just marketing bullshit to win over the community, but a deep desire to seal a pact of trust with it. In these uncertain times when we, as digital consumers, are increasingly dispossessed of our purchases, it felt essential to steer development toward a tool that belongs as much to me as it does to its users. This brings about several virtuous outcomes.

The first is that Scenarly will survive beyond its own existence. If for any reason Scenarly’s presence on app stores or service continuity cannot be maintained, anyone would be free to download the source code onto their computer and use it for personal use. It’s a safety net that very few screenplay editors guarantee (Trelby and Story Architect, to name a few).

The second is the open inspection of algorithms and communications with our server, particularly in the context of real-time collaboration. The third-party libraries used during development are fully accessible, ensuring that none intercept and transmit data to an external party. Another benefit is that anyone who wishes to can audit the code at their leisure to verify its robustness or find and fix vulnerabilities.

Simplicity

Screenwriting is an art, and like any art, it can just be a hobby, so why force one or the other on an author? Many screenplay editors, and text processors in general, fail to prioritize information correctly, either by needlessly distracting the user or burying features in a maze of submenus. Scenarly pays special attention to interface design to preserve the writing experience as much as possible.

Another category of so-called “minimalist” word processors refrains from offering advanced features. While Scenarly shares the goal of keeping writers free from distractions with an interface that is as organic and minimalist as possible, it is more than just a simple word processor: it aims to overcome the flaws and match the features of market leaders.

Accessibility

Speaking of market leaders, despite their dominant position and record profits, legacy players are abandoning their users. Examples are plentiful:

Writing on Windows with Final Draft? The Windows experience has felt neglected for years, lagging behind in performance and interface design.
Wanting to use Fade In on your phone? The mobile version has been discontinued and simply no longer exists.
Looking to truly collaborate? Neither app allows a co-author to join a project at any time without a session being manually launched by the host.

In an attempt to modernize and respond to competition, both recently released a web version that doesn’t even include all their features. On top of failing to address the first two points and only partially fixing the third, expect to pay up to $250 per update for the former and $80 for the latter, to which you must add $10/month for cloud sync!

We believe accessibility must be twofold: cross-platform and financial. We are not a charity, but we refuse to charge prices that would sideline users due to a lack of means.