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talkingdraft.com
What it is
TalkingDraft is screenwriting dictation software for writers creating a first draft by speaking dialogue and action. During dictation, number keys 1–9 label dialogue speakers and 0 marks action lines. Its free outliner provides story structure guides and a beatsheet calculator, and users can export outlines or transcripts as text files for import into screenwriting software. The maker lists compatibility with Final Draft, Fade In, WriterDuet, Highland, Trelby, ArcStudio, StudioBinder, Squibler, Storyist, and other screenwriting apps. Speech transcription is listed in 21 languages. Standard transcription runs in the user’s browser without sending audio to an external service; premium transcription is handled by a vendor under a contractual data processing opt-out. The maker says writing and audio are not used to train AI, and that data is encrypted in transit and stored in separate isolated systems. The free tier allows up to three stories before a referral link is needed to unlock more. Premium transcription is described as 99% accurate; transitions and parentheticals are left for users to add in another screenwriting or polishing app. A desktop version with local speech-to-text is in development, with a waitlist available.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- TalkingDraft is browser software for screenwriters and playwrights to dictate first drafts and export them to screenwriting applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Purpose
- TalkingDraft is screenwriting dictation software for screenwriters and playwrights to create a first draft by speaking dialogue and action.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Audience
- The maker describes the product as designed for screenwriters and playwrights who want to create first drafts quickly by dictating scenes.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Integrations
- Documented import or export guidance covers Final Draft, Fade In, WriterDuet, Script Studio, Highland, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Trelby, ArcStudio, StudioBinder, Squibler, Storyist and Scenarist.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Support
- The help page offers live chat assistance and step-by-step documentation for outlining, recording and exporting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Headquarters
- Los AngelesRead 28 Sep 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- AI data policy
- The maker says user speech, writing, recordings, scripts and outlines are not used to train AI models.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Audio playback
- Recorded scene audio can be replayed in the app and downloaded from its audio player.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Authentication security
- Authentication uses Google Firebase, with short-lived session tokens, server-side validation and no TalkingDraft-held passwords.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Beatsheet calculator
- The beatsheet calculator adjusts target lengths for story sections, sequences, acts and beats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Company founder
- Stage 32 identifies Fred Gooltz as the founder of TalkingDraft.com and describes him as a playwright, screenwriter and development coordinator.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stage32.com
- Company location
- TalkingDraft’s footer says it is made in Los Angeles, and its terms specify Los Angeles for mediation and legal venue.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Desktop status
- A desktop application using local speech-to-text without internet is described as forthcoming and available through a waitlist.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Editing scope
- The maker says transitions and parentheticals are left for users to add in their screenwriting or polishing app.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Export
- Users can download an outline or transcript as a text file for import into screenwriting software.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Export format
- The help center instructs users to download TXT files and import them into applications such as Final Draft, Fade In and WriterDuet.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Extensibility
- TalkingDraft documents a Parsable Script Format for exchanging story data with third-party software and backing up stories locally.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Flexible casting
- Character names can be saved and reused across scenes, with scene-specific speaker assignments.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Languages
- The help page lists support for English, Spanish, Hindi, Norwegian, Japanese, Russian, Dutch, Ukrainian, Tamil, Swedish, Chinese, Taiwanese, Portuguese, Danish, Polish, Turkish, French, German, Indonesian, Korean and Italian.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Licence
- The terms explicitly state that the client software is not open source and may not be duplicated or modified.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Limit: editing scope
- The help center says substantial polishing, including transitions and parentheticals, is intended to happen in another screenwriting application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Limit: formatting omissions
- Stage 32 advises omitting transitions, parentheticals and location slugs during dictation so they can be handled later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stage32.com
- Limit: free story cap
- Free accounts can create three stories before referral sharing is required to unlock more stories.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Limit: requires planning
- Stage 32 recommends a tight scene-by-scene beatsheet and page targets before recording to prevent rambling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stage32.com
- Limit: rough-draft mindset
- Stage 32 advises users not to inspect or edit transcription while recording, implying the method is optimized for rough first drafts rather than polished text.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stage32.com
- Limit: service warranties
- The terms disclaim promises about reliability, completeness, accuracy, availability and security, with discontinuing use as the stated remedy.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Limits
- The free tier allows up to three stories before users must share a referral link to unlock unlimited stories.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Offline desktop
- A desktop version with local speech-to-text and no internet or cloud is described as in development, with a waitlist available.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Outliner
- The free outliner provides structure prompts based on frameworks associated with mentors including Aristotle, Snyder, Harmon, Vogler and Campbell.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Outlining
- The free outliner offers story structure guides and a beatsheet calculator, with export of outline text.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Praise: fast drafting method
- Stage 32 describes the talking-draft approach as a way to turn improvised dialogue and action into a first draft quickly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stage32.com
- Praise: outline-to-draft flow
- Stage 32 reports that a moderate scene outline can carry a writer from beatsheet to first draft in one sitting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stage32.com
- Praise: reduced first-draft friction
- Stage 32 says the method helps writers avoid editing while drafting and overcome the common problem of unfinished first drafts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · stage32.com
- Security and AI use
- The maker says user writing and audio are not used to train AI; it states that data is encrypted in transit and stored in separate isolated systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Security architecture
- Audio, transcripts and story data are stored in separate isolated systems, with time-limited signed access tokens and TLS in transit.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Speaker labeling
- Number keys 1 through 9 label dialogue speakers and key 0 marks an action line during recording.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Speech recognition
- The standard transcription is advertised at up to about 90% accuracy, while premium transcription is advertised at 99%.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Standard processing
- Standard-tier transcription is processed entirely in the browser and sends no audio to an external service.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- System requirements
- The browser app requires internet and microphone access, supports Chrome 88+, Edge 88+, Safari 15.2+ and Firefox 89+, and lists 4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB recommended and about 200 MB cache.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Transcription handling
- Standard transcription runs in the user's browser without sending audio to an external service; premium transcription is handled by a vendor under a contractual data processing opt-out.Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Vendor compliance
- The premium transcription vendor is stated to hold SOC 2 Type I and II, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and PCI compliance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
- Workflow
- Users outline a story, assign character numbers per scene, dictate dialogue and action, then export the draft.Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
Plans and prices
Free Free Unlimited standard transcription · up to 3 stories, then referral required · free outliner · beatsheet calculator · formatted export Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
100 extra premium minutes $3, paid once 100 minutes · about 50 pages · 99% accuracy · pro punctuation · 10x speed Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
Pay-as-you-pro: 100 extra minutes $3, paid once 100 extra minutes ~ 50 pages 99% transcription accuracy · pro punctuation · 10x faster processing Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
300 extra premium minutes $6, paid once 300 minutes · about 150 pages · 99% accuracy · pro punctuation · 10x speed Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
Pay-as-you-pro: 300 extra minutes $6, paid once 300 extra minutes ~ 150 pages 99% transcription accuracy · pro punctuation · 10x faster processing Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
500 extra premium minutes $8, paid once 500 minutes · about 250 pages · 99% accuracy · pro punctuation · 10x speed Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
Pay-as-you-pro: 500 extra minutes $8, paid once 500 extra minutes ~ 250 pages 99% transcription accuracy · pro punctuation · 10x faster processing Read 9 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
Premium monthly $9.99 a month monthly 99% accuracy · improved punctuation · 10x processing speed · unlimited stories Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
Premium yearly $79 a year yearly 99% accuracy · improved punctuation · 10x processing speed · unlimited stories · saves $40.88 Read 15 Oct 2026 · talkingdraft.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Number keys label speakers and action during dictation.
- Free outliner includes structure guides and a beatsheet calculator.
- Exports outlines and transcripts as text files.
- Standard transcription runs in the browser without sending audio externally.
- Lists compatibility with multiple screenwriting apps.
Limits
- Free tier is limited to three stories before referral unlocking.
- Transitions and parentheticals must be added in another app.
- Offline desktop version is still in development.
- Offline mode is not available.
Who it suits
It suits screenwriters and playwrights who want to dictate dialogue and action for an initial draft, then export text to screenwriting software. Writers needing transitions and parentheticals must add them in another app.
Verdict
TalkingDraft focuses on spoken first drafts, speaker labeling, and text export for screenwriting workflows. The free tier has a story limit, and polishing elements such as transitions remain outside its stated editing scope.
Where Specifiction places it
- Screenwriting Software#12 of 278.5
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