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.

How To Avoid a Second Act Slump in Your Screenplay

October 4, 2022

Over the years, if it’s one thing I’ve heard screenwriters struggle with the most, it’s the second act of their script. Even if they think they have a great concept and strong first act, they suddenly get to the second act and they find their creativ...

There Isn’t a Perfect Screenplay

September 28, 2022

There isn’t a perfect screenplay.

5 Tips to Writing a Great Opening

September 7, 2022

In my article 5 Clichés to Avoid in the Opening of Your Script, I stressed the importance of grabbing industry professionals in the first couple pages of your spec script. Whether it’s a feature screenplay or a television pilot, most managers, agents...

Right Story, Right Character

September 7, 2022

In my article about National Lampoon's Vacation, I wrote that one of the reasons for the film’s success was it paired the right character with the right story. Sometimes there is a tendency for screenwriters to focus more on plot and less on the prot...

Rising Through the Ranks: Jake Lawler on falling in love with the leap

June 27, 2022

Jake Lawler brings all the focus and determination from his history as a professional athlete to his current career in the writers’ room. “I wish 10yr old me could see how good it gets, but I know I’m making him proud,” Lawler tweeted after landing i...

Rising through the Ranks: Aiko Hilkinger on diversifying the YA genre

June 13, 2022

Aiko Hilkinger is bringing her magical brand of writing diverse, LGBTQIA+ characters that inspire the next generation to the scene, starting with a show she’s currently developing with the ISA.

Rising through the Ranks: Comedy screenwriter Bri Morris

June 8, 2022

Screenwriter Bri Morris got her start in comedy doing improv in Chicago at the famous Second City and The iO Theater. Even before that, she was the kid who wanted to write jokes for her elementary school broadcast program.

Rising through the Ranks: Ariel Relaford is climbing ladders and reaching back

June 6, 2022

Photo courtesy of Ariel Relaford Producer and co-host of The SCREAMwriters Podcast, MMA practitioner, and horror-sci-fi-comedy writer Ariel Relaford discovered “screenwriter Twitter” during the pandemic—and it’s a good thing too because what started ...

Rising through the Ranks: Writer Eleni Rivera-Colon on digging deep to reach the top

June 1, 2022

Photo courtesy of Eleni Rivera-Colon Eleni Rivera-Colon’s social profile reads: “Small, nerdy, Puerto Rican sci-fi writer/director.” While that may sum her up on the page, in real life she’s got an energetic vibe that’s easy and engaging… with an edg...