Final Draft Blog

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Professional Script Reader Kelly Boruff discusses the do's and don't of Screenwriting

March 1, 2016

Professional script reader Kelly Boruff talks about the most important qualities your script should have, how to deal with the notes process, and what rules she likes to see broken on the page.

Write On with 'Blackish' creator Kenya Barris

March 1, 2016

‘Black-ish’ co-showrunners, Kenya Barris and Jonathan Groff, discuss the road to creating hit shows Talented television creators Kenya Barris and Jonathan Groff have teamed up on the new hit ABC television show 'Black-ish'.

Jason Dean Hall writes the controversial true story of Chris Kyle’s life in ‘American Sniper’

February 17, 2016

Jason Dean Hall discusses what it was like to tell the story of Chris Kyle in 'American Sniper', a polarizing figure whose controversial and disturbing story broke box-office records. The writer's deeply personal connection to the story is filling th...

‘Jim Gaffigan Show’ co-writer Jeannie Gaffigan talks collaboration, balance, and Jim’s appetite

February 17, 2016

Final Draft chats with Jeannie Gaffigan about The Jim Gaffigan Show, her latest series with comedian husband Jim. Jeannie and Jim Gaffigan’s writing/producing credits include such shows as Mr. Universe, Obsessed, King Baby, Beyond the Pale, and My Bo...

Truth’ writer-director James Vanderbilt talks film school, researching true stories, and landing Robert Redford

February 17, 2016

James Vanderbilt talks about researching 'Truth,' the controversial courtroom drama detailing the 2004 CBS '60 Minutes' report that cost anchor Dan Rather and producer Mary Mapes their careers.

‘Nightingale’ writer Frederick Mensch discusses the fast-paced ramp up into production

February 17, 2016

Frederick Mensch, founder of the online screenwriting database MovieBytes, can now add working screenwriter to his resume. His uncompromising screenplay, 'Nightingale', was recently made into a movie by HBO, starring Golden-Globe nominee David Oyelow...

How To Train Your Dragon 2' Writer/Director Dean DeBlois Discusses Animation

February 16, 2016

Dean DeBlois, writer/director of such animated classics as Lilo and Stitch and the How To Train Your Dragon series, talks about how he got his start in animation, how to approach fantasy/adventure screenplays, and what it's like to write for a dragon...

Anthony McCarten talks ‘The Theory of Everything’

February 16, 2016

Acclaimed novelist, playwright and screenwriter Anthony McCarten tells how it took him eight years to convince Stephen and Jane Hawking to give him the rights to their story, his "exaggerated desire" to express himself, and how "putting words into th...

The Big Short Co-Writer Charles Randolph Stops By The Insider View Podcast

February 3, 2016

Charles Randolph, co-writer of The Big Short, drops by the Insider View Podcast to chat with host, Pete D'Alessandro about his background in aesthetic philosophy, working with Adam McKay and what makes credit default swaps such a fascinating film top...