Final Draft Blog

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How long does it take to write a screenplay?

October 21, 2024

An aspiring screenwriter might wonder: how long does it take to write a screenplay?

Why Your Screenplay? Why Now? Why You?

August 8, 2024

The more you interact with film industry professionals, the more you’ll notice certain phrases being repeated when they pass on your script or pitch: “It’s too familiar.”; “I like it, but don’t love it.”; “It’s great, but is it a movie?”; and the dua...

What Does the Life of a Screenwriter Look Like?

August 29, 2023

Have you ever wondered: what does the life of a professional screenwriter look like?

What Literary Reps Look for In Screenplays: Q&A with David Boxerbaum

August 23, 2023

Final Draft has joined forces with Coverfly to chat with literary rep David Boxerbaum in a live Q&A over Zoom to find out what a successful rep is looking for when trying to obtain new writing talent. Boxerbaum shared his thoughts on what a disti...

The Different Jobs of a Screenwriter

May 30, 2023

There are many different writing jobs a screenwriter can be hired to do in Hollywood. And the more flexible you are with filling one of these roles, the greater your chances you have of creating a long, sustaining career as a professional screenwrite...

You’ve Finished Your Screenplay. Now what?

April 21, 2023

In past articles, I gave advice on how to effectively start and finish a screenplay. Well, let’s say you followed all of my tips and you did it: your screenplay is finished!

Screenwriting Mentor Lee Jessup Says Entering a Competition is All About Gaining Industry Access

April 17, 2023

Lee Jessup is a career coach for screenwriters and has been mentoring winners of the Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Competition (which is now open for entries!) for over a decade. Her experience in the industry and savvy for knowing what makes a...

7 Tips on Becoming a TV Writer from Showrunner Todd Slavkin

March 31, 2023

Writer Todd Slavkin has one of those long and fruitful television careers many of us dream about. He and his writing partner, Darren Swimmer, have been showrunners for numerous shows including Smallville, Melrose Place 2.0, Shadowhunters and The Myst...

How John Wick 4 Writer Broke in With His Extreme Spec Script

March 16, 2023

John Wick is one of the most visually spectacular and emotionally unrelenting action franchises around. Chapter 4 is about to hit theaters - part Western, part Kung Fu film, part Samurai story and part redemption tale, this genre mash up is thrilling...