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.

Master the Beat Board and Take Control of Your Script at Every Stage

March 12, 2024

Maybe you have a cursory knowledge of Final Draft’s Beat Board or even used it a few times, but you are aware of its various applications. Or maybe you’re not even aware of this outlining tool that’s available to writers.

Write On: 'Arthur the King' Writer Michael Brandt

March 11, 2024

Writer Michael Brandt is no stranger to the big and small screen. Having written such thrilling films like 3:10 to Yuma, Wanted, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Catch That Kid, he is also the co-creator of NBC’s Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago P.D. and Chica...

What ‘Dune: Part Two’ Teaches You About Writing a Sequel

March 8, 2024

Rare is it that a movie will have a studio backing its sequels before the filming of the first frame of the first film. But when visionary director Denis Villeneuve is building the epic world of Dune, based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, the sto...

Write On: 'Imaginary' Writer/Director Jeff Wadlow and Co-Writers Greg Erb & Jason Oremland

March 6, 2024

“The movie in many ways is about creativity. And it's one of the reasons why I really love it. It's not just about an evil haunted teddy bear. It's about the power of imagination. There's a reason why the movie isn't called Chauncey - it's called Ima...

How You Can Create the Perfect Environment for Screenwriting

March 5, 2024

Your environment when screenwriting isn’t often talked about, but it plays an important role in the creative process. From the lighting to the music you are playing, the ambiance of your workspace can foster your imagination and productivity from the...

5 Ways To Write a Modern Biopic

March 1, 2024

Hollywood has been producing biographical films or biopics since the earliest days of the movie business. Due to changing times and tastes, some film genres come and go with varying popularity in the screenwriting marketplace. With more and more focu...

Write On: 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Showrunner and Executive Producer Albert Kim

February 28, 2024

“I would encourage anyone to lean into the specificity of their personal experience [when it comes to writing]. I mean, we're at a time now, fortunately, where everyone is more open to those kinds of stories… Look at something like Beef. The specific...

Keeping Track of Your Screenwriting Productivity

February 28, 2024

When you’re trying to finish writing a screenplay, two of the biggest obstacles is staying productive and motivated. There will be days where you stare at the empty page and wonder if you can really take this thing all the way to the end.

The Power of Organization in Screenwriting

February 27, 2024

There are several benefits of creating a system of organization when outlining and writing a screenplay or pilot: it helps you keep track of all of your scenes, plot points, character arcs, and the overriding themes of your script. Having a system of...