Final Draft Blog

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A Guide to Naming Your Characters

April 18, 2016

Choosing names for your characters is an important part of the writing process. The names you choose will not only indicate what type of character it is, but also make them easier to read on the page.

Choosing and Introducing Your Focus Characters

April 7, 2016

Oftentimes the new screenwriter will populate their spec with numerous characters. But how many characters are too many?

What Is Nonlinear Storytelling?

April 7, 2016

"A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order." - Jean-Luc Godard

The Frame Story and the Flashback

April 5, 2016

Flashbacks can be utilized for several reasons in a script. If you want to reveal a plot point from the past or something about a character that needs illuminating, a flashback might be the best route to take. Sometimes this storytelling technique ca...

How To Write a Winning Spec Script

March 15, 2016

Writing a television spec script is demanding, but winning a major writing competition with one is far more difficult. We sat down with Meghan Fitzmartin, winner of the Big Break Hour-Long category for her spec of Arrow to uncover the secrets behind ...

How to Write a Coming-of-Age Superhero Tale

March 15, 2016

G.W. Freund and Daniel Bonjour set out to do two things with their winning spec script, Breedlove. The first was to tell a relatable, coming-of-age story. The second was to infuse the characters with raw, powerful emotions. The fact that the story re...

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.

Through-lines and "The Empire Strikes Back"

February 23, 2016

I never heard the term “through-line” before I became a professional screenwriter. After I sold my first script, however, and started working with producers and studio execs on various projects, I started to hear it all the time.

Music Cues In Your Screenplay?

February 17, 2016

Conventional wisdom says don’t. But this same wisdom also tells you never to direct in your script, nor telegraph what a character is feeling, etc. I respectfully disagree with this.