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.

Write On with Oscar-Winning 'BlacKkKlansman' Writer David Rabinowitz

May 7, 2019

David Rabinowitz discusses how he and his writing partner Charlie Wachtel got the rights to adapt BlacKkKlansman, getting Jordan Peele and Spike Lee on board, and their Oscar win!

Write On with 'The Twilight Zone' Producer Simon Kinberg

April 30, 2019

Simon Kinberg discusses how he and fellow producer Jordan Peele came together to revive The Twilight Zone, the inspiration behind the show's unrelenting twists and how they maintain entertainment and enlightenment in each episode.

Career Tips from Screenwriting Career Coach Lee Jessup

April 23, 2019

For the last 20 years, Lee Jessup has been coaching screenwriters on all elements of a successful career. Brand assessment and strategy, effective networking, crafting a memorable origin story that makes writers shine in a general meeting - Lee discu...

Write On with 'The Wall' Writer-Director Kellie Madison

April 16, 2019

Kellie Madison, whose spec script The Wall just sold to Dolphin Entertainment, discusses her transition from acting to writing and directing, her interest in the dark side of the human condition and the early influences she hopes will help her make a...

Write On with 'The Highwaymen' Screenwriter John Fusco

April 9, 2019

Veteran screenwriter John Fusco discusses his journey from dropping out of school for The Blues to obtaining his GED, being accepted to NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and eventually winning a screenplay contest that brought him to Los Angeles. Fusco ...

Write On with The Hummingbird Project Writer-Director Kim Nguyen

March 20, 2019

The Hummingbird Project writer-director Kim Nguyen discusses how he avoids getting stuck in creating backstory, his process of screen testing with friends, and how he was able to set the tone for his protagonist in one scene.

Write On with "Devil's Path" Writer-Director-Producer Matthew Montgomery

March 13, 2019

Writer-director-producer Matthew Montgomery discusses his start as an actor and how he eventually moved behind the camera to produce Devil's Path. The drama/thriller is about two men who encounter each other on a dangerous gay cruising park trail, an...

Write On with AFF Script Competition Director Steven DeBose

March 5, 2019

Austin Film Festival’s Steven DeBose discusses his journey from festival employee to newly appointed script competition director, the culture that defines Austin Film Festival, and the VIP access afforded to all attendees who come prepared for the en...

Write On with 'Fighting with My Family' writer-director Stephen Merchant

February 26, 2019

Fighting with My Family writer-director Stephen Merchant talks with us about his career in both film and television, how he determines what is vital to a story during the editing process, and the creative ways he moved the story along through comment...