Less is more. Screenwriters have been reading and hearing that phrase for years. But what does it really mean? It’s about being concise, especially when dealing with screenwriting action lines. Less is more is the philosophy that restraint often has greater impact than excess. If you cut away the noise and clutter, what remains feels so much sharper, stronger, and more resonant. It helps maximize the impact of the information. In screenwriting and, more specifically, while writing scene...| Final Draft Blog
There seems to be something unique about the 1970s. The decade was filled with political turmoil, the ending of the Vietnam War, global instability, government scandals and a hostage crisis in Iran. There were plenty of monsters in the newspapers, but audiences preferred our monsters on the movie theater screen. Science fiction had been mostly B-movie Roger Corman stories where rubber-suited creatures terrorized unsuspecting humans. Star Wars proved that people wanted more from their space ad...| Final Draft Blog
We Strangers is a surprising and deeply personal study of race and class in small-town America. The story centers on Ray (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), a charming young woman living in Gary, Indiana who’s trying to make ends meet in the gig economy. While she’s determined to pay her bills, she discovers her integrity, self-worth and identity will be tested in unexpected ways. Writer-director Anu Valia, a first-generation Indian American, grew up in the Midwest and says she understands the cha...| Final Draft Blog
Gigi Levangie’s career demonstrates the importance of diligence as a writer. She’s a prolific novelist, with several adaptations of her works moving to the screen, including Maneater and The Starter Wife. She also wrote the 1998 drama Stepmom. A disciplined creator, she writes at least five days a week, understanding that the first draft doesn’t need to be perfect. Her new film is Trust stars Sophie Turner as a beloved sitcom actor with a dark secret. After a phone hack that violates ...| Final Draft Blog
We sat down with Aaron B. Koontz, co-creator and co-showrunner (with Luke Boyce) of the new SyFy channel hit Revival to hear about the thrills and challenges of working in the supernatural horror genre.| Final Draft Blog
Writing cinematically is the heart of great and effective screenwriting. It’s what separates a screenplay from a stage play or novel because in screenwriting, the reader isn’t just following a plot: they’re watching a movie unfold on the page. There are many different types of industry insiders reading your scripts, including:| Final Draft Blog
In 1942, Warner Brothers began production on a romantic wartime melodrama with all the workmanlike routine of any of the other dozens of programmers they churned out each year. No one involved had any clue that this particular assignment would become one of the most famous movies of all time, an Academy Award-winning classic that would transcend generations, Casablanca. There are myriad reasons for its longevity, from the universal emotions of the central love triangle, to the sadly all-too...| Final Draft Blog
I, like many people, have been a fan of Tony McNamara’s witty, biting work for several years. The screenwriter and playwright has gained fame for his diverse, fanciful stories, featuring colorful characters in even more colorful conflicts. The words that tumble out of their mouths are often shocking or obscene. It makes for punchy, unique comedy. McNamara is twice Oscar-nominated for the delightful Poor Things and The Favourite, both part of his collaboration with director Yorgos Lanth...| Final Draft Blog
Cold querying can be an effective tool to get representation, and to get your scripts read and considered by industry insiders and decision-makers in Hollywood. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. When you’re not winning major screenwriting contests and fellowships, and when you don’t know anyone in the industry yet, the cold query is perhaps your best option to break through those Hollywood walls and get noticed. With that in mind, here we discuss and share simple and effecti...| Final Draft Blog
Discover how Natalie Messier's Big Break TV win propelled her screenwriting career, the importance of persistence, treating writing as a second job, & more| blog.finaldraft.com
Selwyn Seyfu Hinds brings the novel Washington Black to life as a steampunk TV series on Hulu, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and freedom.| blog.finaldraft.com
5 screenwriting prep exercises that are key to the success of any screenplay. Learn how to visualize, research, and more before writing a single word.| blog.finaldraft.com
Explore the journey and behind-the-scenes insights of the new film 28 Years Later and the evolving landscape of zombie horror.| blog.finaldraft.com
Seven powerful screenwriting prompts and exercises to boost creativity, overcome writer's block, and enhance your screenplay.| blog.finaldraft.com
Dean DeBlois' path from comic artist to filmmaker shows how persistence & passion shape iconic animation and beyond.| blog.finaldraft.com
Explore how the Hero's Journey framework shapes the story in 'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina', and learn how to apply it to your own screenwriting.| blog.finaldraft.com
Explore the exciting intersection of shark and serial killer horror genres in films, reviewing iconic shark movies and the new thriller Dangerous Animals.| blog.finaldraft.com
Peter Craig dives into his transition from blockbuster films to gritty TV with Dope Thief, exploring deep character bonds and psychological themes.| blog.finaldraft.com
Effective strategies to reignite your screenwriting passion and creativity. Keep your fire burning bright!| blog.finaldraft.com
We talk with casting director David Guglielmo CSA, to find out how to make an impact on the person who could be most critical to getting that greenlight.| blog.finaldraft.com
The Write On podcast chats with 'Challengers' screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, who talks about why tennis is such a good metaphor for relationships.| blog.finaldraft.com
In this episode of Write On, we speak to all three showrunners of 'Cobra Kai', Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald and Hayden Schlossberg.| blog.finaldraft.com
Final Draft's Write On podcast sits down with 'Ezra' writer Tony Spiridakis.| blog.finaldraft.com
Final Draft 13 is finally here! Check out all of the new features in Final Draft 13 that will help personalize and streamline your writing process.| blog.finaldraft.com
