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 Write a Winning Spec Script

March 15, 2016

Writing a television spec script is demanding, but winning a major writing competition with one is far more difficult. We sat down with Meghan Fitzmartin, winner of the Big Break Hour-Long category for her spec of Arrow to uncover the secrets behind ...

How to Write a Coming-of-Age Superhero Tale

March 15, 2016

G.W. Freund and Daniel Bonjour set out to do two things with their winning spec script, Breedlove. The first was to tell a relatable, coming-of-age story. The second was to infuse the characters with raw, powerful emotions. The fact that the story re...

Julie Delpy Talks About Her New Film Lolo

March 10, 2016

Julie Delpy writes, directs and stars in her new film Lolo. Here she talks with us about the bonds of parenthood, French humor and what inspired her love of writing.

Final Draft Insider View With Comedian-Screenwriter Jim Jefferies

March 3, 2016

Comedian-screenwriter-actor Jim Jefferies bares all about his writing process, getting a series on the air, and killing off characters - even disabled ones.

‘Brooklyn’ writer Nick Hornby talks influences, the joy of collaboration and finding beauty in the ordinary

March 1, 2016

Nick Hornby talks about adapting ‘Brooklyn,’ the dramatic romance about an Irish immigrant (Saoire Ronan) who finds love and must choose between two countries.

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, from USC to 'Big Eyes'

March 1, 2016

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski walk us through their first meeting as students at USC, to their latest project, 'Big Eyes'.

Professional Script Reader Kelly Boruff discusses the do's and don't of Screenwriting

March 1, 2016

Professional script reader Kelly Boruff talks about the most important qualities your script should have, how to deal with the notes process, and what rules she likes to see broken on the page.

Write On with 'Blackish' creator Kenya Barris

March 1, 2016

‘Black-ish’ co-showrunners, Kenya Barris and Jonathan Groff, discuss the road to creating hit shows Talented television creators Kenya Barris and Jonathan Groff have teamed up on the new hit ABC television show 'Black-ish'.

“The Revenant” Teaches Us About Writing Action Sequences

March 1, 2016

The Revenant screenplay by Mark L. Smith and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, based on the book by Michael Punke, is one of the best action films of the year. Set in 1823, the action scenes lack sophisticated weaponry, machinery or major explosions – all...