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.

Weekend Movie Takeaway: Lack of Content Affecting What Gets 'Platformed'

May 18, 2020

Last week we discussed the decision ongoing narratives that take place in the “real world” have to make about factoring the quarantine period into their storyline, but that was based on the presumption that production will be up and running sometime ...

Fast Five: ‘Hamilton’ Goes Streaming, Studios Stock Fall Schedules With Foreign Content, & All Eyes Are On ‘Tenet’

May 18, 2020

As our new normal slowly returns to the old normal, the networks and studios have started to announce their plans for the rest of the year. Major films are moving over to streaming services, all eyes are on one high profile release to set the tone fo...

Weekend Writing Inspiration: GMC — Your Secret Weapon for Story Conflict and Character Development

May 15, 2020

A few weeks ago, we covered methods to try when your plot rocks, but your characters fall flat. Today, we delve into another useful tool for getting clear on your characters and their motivation with GMC: Goals, Motivation, and Conflict. I was first ...

Fellowship Season Prep Part 5: The Interview, Continued

May 14, 2020

With fellowship applications submitted but fellowship interviews still on the horizon, we are currently digging into exercises and other ways to prep for an in-person or Zoom interview. And while only a fraction of applicants will make it to the inte...

Write On with Hulu's 'The Great' Creator Tony McNamara

May 13, 2020

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and creator of Hulu's The Great Tony McNamara discusses his approach to writing period pieces, the shifting tones of the show, and more!

Week 9: Video Interview with Lee Jessup on What Writers CAN Do Now

May 13, 2020

Screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup answers your questions and talks more about what writers CAN be doing during the COVID-19 crisis.

Weekend Movie Takeaway: Screen Narratives Meet COVID-19

May 11, 2020

As parts of the country begin to open up to varying degrees, production (for the most part) remains on lockdown, and the prospect of starting it up again remains mired in many unanswered—or as yet unanswerable—questions. Questions principally regardi...

5 Takeaways from Netflix's 'Unorthodox'

May 11, 2020

Is a limited series a TV show, or really just a big, fat movie? That’s the question at the heart of this week’s screenwriting takeaway.

Variety’s New “How To” Series, Tom Cruise in Space, & 'Tiger King'

May 11, 2020

As countries all over the world slowly begin to reopen, it’s important to stay safe by remembering to maintain social distancing. Or, do what Tom Cruise is doing and blast yourself into space. More on that later. First, let’s discuss a brand-new vide...