Final Draft

15th Annual Austin Film Festival, October 2008

Final Draft, Inc. attended the Writer's Conference at the 15th Annual Austin Film Festival (AFF) on October 15-19, 2008. Final Draft, Inc. hosted a demo in conjunction with Jungle Software and Innovative Software to teach screenwriters the in-between steps from writing the script to storyboarding and budgeting.

Script magazine was also there and met with director Danny Boyle after the screening of Slumdog Millionaire and writer Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean II), a conference panelist and one of the judges for the 90-second Pitch Finale.

Nick Hurwitch's Take On Me and Jim Macak's Two Harbors tied for first-place in the 90-second Pitch Finale. Troy Miller's The Woods came in second, with Steven Chatterton's Werecub rounding out third-place.

Check out Final Draft, Inc. On the Scene:
http://www.finaldraft.com/company/on-the-scene/20081015-austin-ff.php

Oct 24, 2008 5:43 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Final Draft, Inc. on YouTube

It's hard work to create a film, and that work deserves an audience!

Put your film on the world's biggest screen: millions of personal computers around the globe. Final Draft, Inc. on YouTube is an online cinema showcasing the work of today's emerging artists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You've done a lot of work to create your film. Now let your film work for you!

Final Draft, Inc. invites all emerging artists in the film industry to participate in our call for new videos. Final Draft, Inc. on YouTube features a showcase playlist of the best films we receive, which will play the leading role on our YouTube channel.

By submitting your film you will have the benefit of exposure to our expanding network of Industry contacts. Let our friends become your friends, and experience the marketing power of our growing network!

Here's how:

1. Visit Final Draft, Inc. on YouTube at www.youtube.com/finaldraftsoftware
2. Become a "Friend" and "Subscriber" to our YouTube channel so we can communicate with you.
3. Submit your best film via YouTube's messaging system.
a. In the subject line write: "Film Contest Submission"
4. The best films will be chosen for our showcase playlist!

Exposure is essential. Get noticed by our fans.

Keep up-to-date with the Final Draft, Inc. online communities for future information that will boost your market prowess in this exciting and competitive industry.

Visit Final Draft, Inc. on these other social networks:

MySpace Final Draft, Inc.:
www.myspace.com/FinalDraftSoftware

Facebook Final Draft, Inc.:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1116122174

YouTube Final Draft, Inc.:
www.youtube.com/FinalDraftSoftware

Oct 21, 2008 2:12 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Final Draft, Inc., to honor Stephen J. Cannell, Big Break Winners this Thursday

Final Draft, Inc., publisher of Final Draft®, the #1-selling scriptwriting software and Script magazine, will be hosting its annual corporate event in Hollywood, CA where Stephen J. Cannell will be awarded the 4th annual Hall of Fame Award. This award is given by Final Draft, Inc. to entertainment industry luminaries who foster the art of scriptwriting and nurture and inspire the creative process.

"We look forward to this event each year and the opportunity to thank our friends and partners who have helped and supported us along the way," says Marc Madnick, Founder and CEO of Final Draft, Inc.

Final Draft, Inc. will also honor the top-three winners from the 9th annual Big Break International Screenwriting Contest. The winners are flown in for the event where the first, second, and third place winners will be revealed for the first time.

The Big Break contest supports emerging creative talent and reinforces the Final Draft, Inc. mission to advance and provide industry access to writers. The Big Break contest rewards screenwriters with over $30,000 in cash and prizes plus A-list executive meetings and mentorship. Winners and finalists have had their screenplays optioned and produced and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals.

"The contest is a great stepping stone for emerging writers. We're honored to champion them," Liz Alani, Big Break contest director says.

The event will take place on Thursday, October 23rd at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, California, from 7:30-11PM. In attendance will be A-list writers, reputable industry executives, and Final Draft, Inc. business partners and friends.

Oct 20, 2008 9:52 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

WGF Presents first ever Video Game Writing Workshop - 10/18/08

The Writers Guild Foundation Presents GETTING INTO THE GAME Interactive Writing for Videogames this Saturday, October 18, 10:30 am - 5 pm at the WGAW, 7000 W Third St, Los Angeles.

Television audiences are shrinking, while more people are playing videogames than ever before. What does this mean for writers? How can they use their storytelling skills in this burgeoning medium? What are the rules of the game? Find out at Getting Into the Game.

Speakers Include:
- Dave Ellis (WGA Videogame Writing Award Winner)
- Anne Toole (WGA Videogame Writing Award Nominee)
- Jon Paquette (Medal of Honor series)
- Deborah Todd (Author, Game Design: From Blue Sky to Green Light)
- Jay Lender (Huxley, Destroy All Humans!)
- Micah Wright (Chair, Videogame Writers Caucus)
- Jenna Seiden (Agent, CAA)
- Richard Thompson (Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal LaViolette & Feldman, LLP)
- Danny Bilson (VP of Creative Development, THQ Inc.)
- Tim Langdell (Vice-Chair, Videogame Writers Caucus)
- Flint Dille (Author, The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design)
- Larry Tuch (Head Writer, StoryDrive Engine Project at Paramount Pictures)
- Carolyn Handler Miller (Author, Digital Storytelling, 2nd Edition)
- Dean Orion (Show Producer, Walt Disney Imagineering)
- Wade Beckett (Executive Producer, X-Play)
- Adam Sessler (Host, X-Play)
- And more!

Prices: General - $110; WGA & ATAS members with ID - $95; Student, full time with ID - $85

Tickets: www.WGFoundation.org or call 800-838-3006 (includes parking, lunch, evening reception, and raffle)

For full details and the event schedule, go to www.WGFoundation.org.

Oct 16, 2008 4:56 AM | Link | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Report Content

Final Draft, Inc. takes Global Voices Initiative Further

Final Draft, Inc., publisher of Final Draft® software and Script magazine, will be working with Garza High School (Austin), Hollywood Arts (LA), Chica Luna (NY), and the Academy for Careers in Television and Film (NY) to advance education through the craft of storytelling. By donating Final Draft software and other products and services, the Global Voices initiative further empowers student writers to cultivate literary skills through filmmaking.

The four new Final Draft, Inc. partners strive to increase the quality of education, strengthen emotional intelligence, and build tolerance amongst a diversity of people while providing technical skills to the next generation of filmmakers. Hollywood Arts provides classes at no cost for people ages 17 to 24 who are homeless, transitioning out of foster care or from low-functioning families. Garza High School appeals to students who perform better with hands-on, project-based learning as opposed to a lecture-based structure. They offer screenwriting classes as an option for high school English credit. Academy for Careers in Television and Film aims to equip students to succeed in competitive universities or the booming NY film business. Chica Luna's F-Word program recruits a number of young women of color and diverse racial, economic and linguistic backgrounds to cultivate their perspectives as media activists.

"With technology and media evolving as fast as it is, it has become crucial for students to be skilled with media tools like Final Draft software," says Marc Madnick, Founder and CEO of Final Draft, Inc.

The Global Voices initiative was created to connect with organizations and projects working to better their communities. By empowering and challenging individuals to advance their abilities and skills they are rewarded with confidence and an improved quality of life. Through digital storytelling, literacy can be improved, emotions can be healed, borders can be crossed, and acceptance can be achieved. Final Draft, Inc. works with educators and leaders of community organizations, whose sole purpose is to use digital storytelling to increase overall literacy rates, improve literacy among English language learners, strengthen emotional intelligence, and build tolerance.

For more information about the Global Voices initiative, visit: www.finaldraft.com/outreach.

Oct 10, 2008 8:23 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

DC Shorts Film Festival, September 2008

Final Draft, Inc. sponsored the 2008 DC Shorts Film Festival, now in its 5th year. Throughout the week in Washington, the Festival screened 102 films, showcased the 2nd annual screenplay competition, and hosted filmmakers from all over the world.

DC Shorts congratulated Mary Novack, writer of Taco Mary for taking first place in the Screenplay Competition. Other winners included writer Paris Tanaka and Mikki Willis, director, of The List, for Best Cinematography. The Festival Director's Choice Award was won by Bloom, written by David Edward Norman and directed by Lance Larson.

For more information, go www.dcshorts.com.

Oct 6, 2008 2:22 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

"Take A Meeting" Los Angeles Event Testimonials

Check out the testimonials from Final Draft, Inc.'s Take A Meeting Los Angeles Event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE43LKYpofA

Also, remember the Take A Meeting New York Event will be on November 7 & 8. For more information or to register, go to: http://www.finaldraft.com/takeameeting

Oct 3, 2008 11:39 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Take A Meeting New York Event - November 7 & 8

Final Draft, Inc.'s Take A Meeting New York event offers more professionalism and more time to build relationships, present your project, and get your screenwriting career rolling. Executives from reputable companies are added daily to the event roster.

The following companies have already committed to sending representatives to meet face-to-face with scriptwriter attendees for 15 minutes:

1. Angel Light Pictures (Angel's Blade)
2. Atlantic Pictures (To Love an Angel)
3. Abrams Artists Agency
4. Jane Startz Productions (Tuck Everlasting)
5. Jo Films (Hot Flash)
6. Michael Mailer Films (Kettle of Fish)
7. PMA Literary
8. Salty Pictures (High School Musical)
9. Straight Up Films (Brooklyn Rules)
10. The Weinstein Company (The Meerkats)

Attendees will be able to receive onsite help in customizing their schedules to maximize the effectiveness of their meetings. Help in choosing executives ahead of time is also available through Final Draft, Inc.'s event registration system and customer service department.

The Take A Meeting New York event will be held at the Microsoft Facility in Midtown, and will offer seminars and workshops on the craft of writing and the business of selling your script. Featured speakers are writer-favorites like Marilyn Horowitz and Staton Rabin. PLUS, Digital Film Academy and Microsoft will be leading technology seminars.

Take A Meeting New York Sessions:
Friday, November 7: 4 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 8: 9 am - 5pm

For additional information, pricing, and to register, go to: www.finaldraft.com/takeameeting

Sep 25, 2008 3:02 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Stan Lee Guest at September Hollywood Networking Breakfast®

Sandra Lord's Hollywood Networking Breakfast®. is please to welcome guest Stan Lee, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Creative Officer, Pow! Entertainment, on Thursday, September 25, 2008.

Known to millions as the man whose Super Heroes propelled Marvel Comics to its preeminent position in the comicbook industry, Stan Lee's singular co-creations include Spider-Man, Iron Man, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, Daredevil, The Avengers, Silver Surfer, and Dr. Strange, among many others. He has successfully established himself as the creator of the modern day Superhero. Stan's horizons have expanded beyond comic books, giving him the opportunity to become more deeply involved in the creation and development of filmed projects for both the big and small screen.

* * * * *

This award-winning event ("Best Networking Event in LA") provides access to Hollywood's power players, and has featured Academy®, Golden Globe and Emmy® award winners and nominees. A valuable resource for attendees, the event has facilitated many collaborations and networking opportunities.

* * * * *

Sponsors: Final Draft, Jungle Software (The independent Filmmaker's budgeting and scheduling software), InkTip.com (The only website in the world where writers are hired or three scripts are optioned every week), and Villa Playa Blanca (www.villaplayablancacancun.com Pampering Code: CHIA07).

Location: Beverly Hills Country Club, 3084 Motor Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Date: September 25, 2008 (for on-time registration, checks must be postmarked by 9/18/08)

Cost: On-time registration: $40, Pre-confirmed late registration: $45, Walk-ins: $50

Time: Check-in starts at 7:20 am. The breakfast begins at 8:00 am and lasts until approximately 10:30 am.

For reservation forms, go to:
http://www.changingimagesinamerica.org/res-form.pdf

You [u]must[/u] list your [u]full legal name[/u] as it appears on valid ID for Studio Security

Business Casual Attire Required (no jeans, t-shirts, sweats, or other inappropriate clothing). For specific requirements, as well as detailed reservation info, go to Changing Images in America. Changing Images in America is a non-profit organization, promoting diversity in entertainment.

For more information and full reservation guidelines, go to Changing Images in America

Sep 16, 2008 10:59 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

2008 Writers Faire at UCLA - 9/7/08

The 9th Annual Writers Faire, presented by the UCLA Extension Writers' Program will be this Sunday, September 7, 11am-3pm, at the UCLA Campus: Young Hall Courtyard.

The event features 24 free mini-panels and lectures in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, writing for the youth market, playwriting, publishing, feature film writing, and television writing. Also, there will be more than a dozen professional and community organizations and writing-allied businesses, all of whom share a common goal of promoting writing in Los Angeles.

Final Draft will be doing software demos at the event.

For more information, click here. Or check out the full schedule.

Admission is free. Parking on campus in Lot 2 is $9.

Sep 6, 2008 5:57 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content