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.

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.

Spec Spotlight: Joe Russo on 'The Last Will & Testament of Charles Abernathy'

December 15, 2021

Screenwriter Joe Russo says his latest project, Netflix's The Last Will & Testament of Charles Abernathy, was "born out of necessity."

Spec Spotlight: Daniel Kunka sells heist spec 'Lift' to Netflix

October 28, 2021

Photo Copyright: Jacey Kessen Kunka Screenwriter Daniel Kunka's new spec has some serious lift-off at Netflix. His script Lift was snatched up by the streaming giant earlier this year in less than 24 hours.

Oh, Baby!' creates lovely afterglow at Dances with Films

September 20, 2021

As Los Angeles Dances with Films' epic line-up of three solid weeks of programming has now ended, many films will continue to linger in the consciousness. Audience Award Winner for Best Short Film in competition Oh, Baby! is one such film. It’s a fem...

Spec Spotlight: Lionsgate Purchases Stephen Herman's 'The Culling'

October 13, 2020

Screenwriter Stephen Herman is hoping to invigorate the horror genre with his new spec script The Culling, which was recently sold to Lionsgate with David F. Sandberg attached to direct.

Spec Spotlight: Zack Ford Sells 'The Watcher' to Spooky Pictures

May 14, 2020

Zack Ford is hoping to scare audiences with his spec script The Watcher, which recently sold. The psychological thriller is about a newly engaged couple who move to an apartment in New York City, however the fiancée soon feels that she is being watch...

Spec Spotlight: Meredith Dawson Sells Spec to Universal, Paul Feig to Produce

September 27, 2019

Screenwriter Meredith Dawson is hoping to reignite the romantic comedy genre with the recent sale of her spec script, When Michael Met Carrie…and Other People. Universal Pictures snapped up the script, which will also be directed by Dawson, with Paul...

Spec Spotlight: Jeff Bushell Sells 'Bad Dog' to Lionsgate

July 25, 2019

Screenwriter Jeff Bushell’s latest spec has gone to the dogs. But in his case, that’s actually a good thing. Bushell’s comedy spec script Bad Dog is about an adorable mutt who’s also Satan’s favorite hellhound, and it was recently purchased by Lionsg...

Spec Spotlight: Peter Gaffney Sells Sci-Fi Spec 'Don't Go in the Water' to Universal Pictures

June 27, 2019

After setting up sci-fi specs at both LeVision Entertainment and Lionsgate, New York-based screenwriter Peter Gaffney went on to reportedly sell his spec script Don’t Go in the Water to Universal Pictures in the mid-to-high six figure range.