Final Draft Blog

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Read interviews with the pros, catch up with industry news, and listen to Write On: A Screenwriting Podcast by Final Draft.

Showrunner, head writer and executive producer Suzan-Lori Parks shares what makes Aretha Franklin a 'Genius'

June 18, 2021

We know Aretha Franklin for her popular songs like “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” that soundtrack popular culture and important moments in history. Her voice echoes over the civil rights movement and even hums over today's mo...

Sparks of inspiration: Edgar Wright discusses 'The Sparks Brothers' and the role of music in his films

June 17, 2021

California brothers Ron and Russell Mael have been making music together as the band SPARKS for more than 50 years. Their idiosyncratic approach to songwriting and performance has left its mark in various musical genres, including glam rock and synth...

This Town' takes on prejudice in the form of satire

June 15, 2021

To say that the current state of our world lives by cancel culture and the rush to judgment of our friends and neighbors is an understatement. Documentary filmmaker turned actor and comedic narrative director David White examines this trend in his ne...

Write On with 'Hacks' Co-Creator and Writer Jen Statsky

June 14, 2021

HBO’s Hacks explores a dark mentorship that forms between a legendary Las Vegas comedian and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old. "The story of this show, in a lot of ways, is about two women who come together and work together,” says Jen. “They make ea...

Live Q&A with 'Cobra Kai' creators Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg

June 14, 2021

Check out our virtual chat with Cobra Kai creators Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg! The trio discusses their 3rd season, the show's move to Netflix, and how they flipped the beloved storyline of Karate Kid on its head to create this b...

Writer-director Michael Barnett, producer Alex Schmider find the power of love and support in trans storytelling

June 14, 2021

Sarah Rose Huckman rides a ski lift alongside a kid she is teaching at ski school. Her legs dangle from the chair and swing several feet above the sleek, white snow. It’s one of the more mundane, yet vulnerable moments in Hulu’s Changing the Game; a ...

On precipice of Emmy® noms, Sam Zvibleman looks back at 'PEN15' so far

June 14, 2021

PEN15 could make history as Hulu’s first Emmy-nominated comedy series as the nomination season begins to heat up. Behind the show are not only on-camera stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, but the third musketeer in an incredible creative trio: Sam Z...

‘The Misfits’: How Renny Harlin builds the foundations of an action-heist film

June 11, 2021

Is there such a thing as a well-intentioned thief? The Misfits, the latest film from director Renny Harlin and writers Robert Henny and Kurt Wimmer, considers this question as it spotlights a group of misfit Robin Hoods as they tackle the near-imposs...

Why write history? ‘Godfather of Harlem’ creator Chris Brancato on writing a compelling historical drama

June 10, 2021

It’s hard to come up with an original concept when the mob is involved. From The Sopranos to Boardwalk Empire and in an era when streaming is the new normal, you have to be pretty creative to premiere a mob drama on cable TV, gather an audience, and ...