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.

Write On with Producer and Creative Executive Thomas Pettinelli

July 20, 2021

Thomas is Director of Development for Los Angeles-based production company Branded Pictures Entertainment and talks to Write On’s Phil Galasso about what the company looks for in a screenplay. "I think the [scripts] that really stand out are when som...

Write On with Showrunner and #StartWith8Hollywood Mentor Jeffrey Lieber

July 20, 2021

Showrunner, writer, and mentor Jeffrey Lieber and our host Phil Galasso discuss what Jeffrey looks for when putting together a writer's room, his transition from acting on the stage to writing for the screen, his work helping new writers gain meaning...

5 Screenwriting Takeaways: 'I Think You Should Leave' is the off-kilter sketch comedy we all deserve

July 19, 2021

It feels rare to get a good sketch comedy show these days. There aren't currently many on the air at all. There’s SNL. Black Lady Sketch Show. Michael Che’s That Damn Michael Che. And while topical sketch is invaluable to making sense of the often no...

5 Screenwriting Takeaways: 'Black Widow' keeps MCU fresh

July 16, 2021

Black Widow has a lot of expectations and excitement behind it. Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Black Widow aka Natasha Romanoff made her first appearance 11 years ago with the release of Iron Man 2. Not quite an origin story, Black Widow take...

History of TV: Up 'Schitt's Creek'

July 15, 2021

Moira’s wigs (and accent). Alexis and David bickering. The fashion. All the feels. I discovered Schitt’s Creek in early 2020, right about the time “schitt” hit the fan in real life and we all had to stay home as a pandemic swept around the globe. Ten...

Write On with ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Co-Writer and Director Navot Papushado

July 13, 2021

Navot talks writing the explosive female-driven action-thriller starring Karen Gillan and Carla Gugino: "When you strip down this [assassin] genre… it's got this rich history of this hitman following this code and laws of the underworld… but, like in...

5 Screenwriting Takeaways: Netflix's 'Feel Good' is 2 binge-able seasons of love and truth

July 12, 2021

While Netflix’s Feel Good will not return for a third season, its star, Mae Martin, is just getting started (and the show is worth a revisit, or a first look if you missed it). Martin’s semi-autobiographical show is full of heart, vulnerable truths a...

5 Screenwriting Takeaways: How Soderbergh's ‘No Sudden Move’ revitalizes the noir thriller

July 9, 2021

Two criminals are hired to work alongside each other for an easy "babysitting" job. All they have to do is watch the family of an automotive executive, who must retrieve a document from his boss' safe. Sounds simple, until the plan goes awry.

Afro Horror: Writing from the headlines

July 9, 2021

A global pandemic, a turbulent election season, and numerous celebrity scandals; oh my! Being a living human being in 2021 has been a roller coaster of shock and awe. If you're reading this, you’ve survived a deadly contagious virus, only to have ano...