Final Draft Blog

All the tips, tricks and information you need to inspire your writing!
Read interviews with the pros, catch up with industry news, and listen to Write On: A Screenwriting Podcast by Final Draft.

How to Present Your Screenplay to the Industry

February 20, 2024

In my article “You’ve Finished Your Screenplay. Now What?”, I discussed the various steps a screenwriter should take when they’re ready to present their screenplay to the industry: researching the business, entering screenwriting contests, submitting...

Write On: 'Masters of the Air' Co-Executive Producer and Writer John Orloff

February 18, 2024

“I always go back to theme. Why are you writing this story? What is that final couple of minutes of the movie and what do you want the audience to feel? I kind of always build backward from that in some ways. In a movie, how do I make the 118 minutes...

Adapting to Online Trends: Writing Content for TikTok and Shorts

February 16, 2024

It’s no secret that shorter videos are where it’s at these days. According to Google Q2 2023 results, YouTube Shorts hit two billion monthly views, surpassing TikTok and Instagram Reels. Short and sweet content is here to stay. Video content now has ...

Write On: 'Land of Bad' Director/Co-Writer William Eubank

February 12, 2024

"You want to write stuff you want to see, that's the key. Just write something new something fresh, something interesting," says director and co-writer William Eubank of Land of Bad, the new intense, action-packed movie about a Delta Force team that ...

The Type Stuff: The History of the Typewriter in Screenwriting

February 12, 2024

For decades, the typewriter was the tool most screenwriters would use to write their scripts.

How to Write a Skit: 10 Tips From the Skit Masters

February 9, 2024

In our modern world of TikTok memes, dumb (though appreciated) dog and cat videos, and influencer media dominance, the ol’ classic comedic form known as “the sketch” is one of our most appreciated and vital forms of artistic expression.

Outlining Your Screenplay Your Way

February 6, 2024

Outlining your story before writing a screenplay is a vital tool that will save you time and energy. Not only will it help you in terms of structuring your narrative, you’re less likely to have a “second act slump” if you plotted all of the major sto...

Write On: 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' Showrunner Chad Feehan

February 5, 2024

The Bricks of Breaking In: FBI: International Writer Kristina Thomas on Trusting the Process

February 5, 2024

FBI: International writer Kristina Thomas related her path into writing television to the famous image of a straight line to get you where you need to compare with the reality of a line all balled, jumbled, and twirled around that eventually gets you...