Scripped makes it easy for the aspiring screen writer to write, format, print, and even publicize their latest script. I stumbled on Scripped as part of a recent VenCorps showdown (there’s more to come on VenCorps in a future post) and thought they did a great job delivering a unique, end-to-end service. I’m not quite their target market, but a few things about their site jumped out at me, including their entertaining blog. That’s a good sign for a writer’s site.

Scripped follows the ‘give away your core product for free and make money on the side’ model. Their core product, their script writer, is free. They also offer script storage services for a $5 fee, editing for $100+, and script marketing and contest submission services. The support services are partly thanks to partnerships with Coverage, Ink and WordHustler.

Their editor is simple but gets the job done. User’s can write scripts directly into a format that’s production ready with the proper indentation, font sizing, and page layouts. If you’re not happy with a draft, create a new one under the same project. When you’re finished, export to PDF for wider distribution or take advantage of their partnership with WordHustler to submit your content to publishers and contests. The various features support the beginning of the content creation process through the writer’s (hopeful) pay-out

The site’s design is evocative of a bygone, pre-computer era. The editor’s font looks like it’s straight off the typewriter. Coupled with black and white cartoons throughout the site, it’s just the sort of hip throwback that should do well attracting young, wordy users.

If there’s something Scripped could improve on, it’s the organization and coordination between some of it’s various parts. The Creative Support section isn’t quite as easy to access as some of the other features, but it could be really useful — especially for the company’s bottom line at $129 per script. A better marketplace-like view into available projects would be nice too, and the site sometimes feels too much like a blog than the writing portal their products seem to suggest.

Interaction will continue to be a challenge, but judging by the list of future features in their Pipeline, Scripped is intent on building a user community that will support the next generation of screenwriters.

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