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.

Using Emojis in Your Script: Text Message Format and More

January 23, 2024

As our world changes, so does the way we tell a story.

Write On: 'Air' Writer Alex Convery

December 20, 2023

The film Air was released in theaters back in April – right before the WGA Writer's Strike. It tells the story of how the iconic partnership between Nike shoes and basketball player Michael Jordan came to be way back in 1984. It’s one of those partne...

Write On: 'Saltburn' Writer/Director Emerald Fennell

December 19, 2023

“I like having sympathy for the devil. And all of them are devilish!” says Emerald Fennell about her characters in the new film Saltburn.

Write On: Writer Chris Hicks Talks Massive Sale of His Short Story 'I Am Not Alone'

December 8, 2023

“My cardinal rule – the rule that you cannot break is: don't be boring. Because you can have the perfect script that follows every screenplay formatting rule, but if you're boring, it doesn't matter. First and foremost, you’ve got to hook the reader,...

Write On: 'Poor Things' Writer Tony McNamara

December 6, 2023

Write On: 'Candy Cane Lane' Writer Kelly Younger

December 1, 2023

Eddie Murphy’s new holiday comedy Candy Cane Lane pokes fun at the idea of being super competitive during the Christmas decorating season. Kelly Younger sat down with Final Draft’s Write On podcast to talk about writing the spec script that became a ...

Write On: 'May December' Writer Samy Burch

November 29, 2023

“A lot of the scenes are [shot in] one take. The space that they hold, the amount of air that they let sit there before saying their next line. I mean it’s an incredible amount of tension and intimacy,” says screenwriter Samy Burch about her new film...

Spec Spotlight: Ben Ketai on Selling His First Spec 'Undying'

November 21, 2023

Screenwriter/director Ben Ketai was about 12 years old – too young, he admits – when he first saw the Adrian Lyne thriller Fatal Attraction. It left an indelible impression that has lasted well into his career in Hollywood.

Write On: 'Rustin' Writer Julian Breece

November 13, 2023

“Be sneaky and read every script that you can get your hands on. If you can work in a studio, read the original draft, read the revisions, see how the script got to the final script. That's what I was doing. I would use the opportunities of working i...