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.

Before You Know It Filmmakers On How To Get Your Passion Project Made

February 7, 2019

It’s a rare and difficult thing to write, direct, and star in your own film. But that is exactly what Hannah Pearl Utt and Jen Tullock did with their Sundance feature film debut, the comedy Before You Know It. The pair also knows what a tremendous fe...

How Sundance’s Hala Made Minhal Baig an Honest Storyteller

February 5, 2019

Minhal Baig is the writer and director of Hala, a movie which, up until its Sundance premiere, she kept secret from her mother.

Write On with Kevin O'Brien

February 5, 2019

Writer-director Kevin O'Brien discusses his transition from Creative Director to filmmaker, raising money through crowdfunding, and submitting his debut feature 'At the End of the Day' to film festivals. Information about the film can be found HERE.

The Sunlit Night Screenwriter on the Challenges of Book-to-Screen Adaptation

February 2, 2019

Rebecca Dinerstein, author of The Sunlit Night, never expected her novel to get published. She never envisioned the book would be made into a movie, and she certainly never thought she would be the one to write the adapted screenplay. “Every phase of...

The Bricks of Breaking in: Sal Calleros on Mentorship

January 31, 2019

Mentorship can be vital to a writer looking to break into the industry, but finding a mentor and building a relationship with that person can be challenging.

Write On with Cleve Landsberg

January 16, 2019

Cleve Landsberg has led a long career, working on films such as 'Weekend at Bernie's', 'BASEketball' and 'Bruce Almighty'. Cleve has also previously been honored with the DGA's Frank Capra Achievement Award, given to an Assistant Director or Unit Pro...

Write On with Mimi Leder

January 11, 2019

In this episode of Write On, director Mimi Leder discusses her latest film 'On the Basis of Sex' and her connection to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s story.

Write On with Paul Schrader

January 8, 2019

Legendary writer-director and Final Draft Hall of Famer Paul Schrader discusses his acclaimed film First Reformed and offers insights into his creative drive throughout his career. Starring Ethan Hawke, First Reformed tells the story of a Protestant ...

Write On with Greta Heinemann

January 4, 2019

2017 Big Break Feature Grand Prize winner Greta Heinemann discusses everything from moving to LA from Germany at age 14 to pursue her writing career, working in television, pitching her features and her latest endeavor the Writers Wright journal.