Final Draft

New Zealand Writers Guild 2008 Short Film Script Competition

The top three scripts in the New Zealand Writers Guild 2008 Final Draft Short Film Script Competition are:

- Esther's Angels by Pete Force
- The Medal by Simon Paniora
- Brandland by Linda Niccol

And the winning script is ...
The Medal by Simon Paniora.

Congratulations go to Simon, Pete, and Linda, and to the rest of the finalists:
Te Hokinga Mai by Hineani Melbourne; The Collector by Barry Duffield; Katieland by Pete Force; Open Heart by Cushla Dillon; Brutus by Jason Wetzel; Beautiful Collision by Linda Niccol; Longing by Donna Banicevich Gera; Long Weekend by Charlie Bleakley; The Rooster by Reuben Pollock.

The New Zealand Writer's Guild would like to thank Final Draft, Nga Aho Whakaari, and all our readers and adjudicators for making this competition possible. The NZWG is already looking forward to next year's competition...

Congratulations to everyone who entered this contest: Your commitment and enthusiasm are terrific.

For more information on the New Zealand Writers Guild, go to: http://www.nzwritersguild.org.nz/

Aug 29, 2008 11:42 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Women in Film & Video Screenwriting Awards

Women in Film & Video/New England (WIFV/NE) congratulates the winners of the 6th Annual Screenwriting Competition, co-sponsored by the Lesley University Writing for Stage & Screen MFA Program.

The event celebrating the winners took place on July 31st at University Hall Theatre in Cambridge.

This year's Grand PrizeWinner is Jessica DiGiacinto for her screenplay Me and Christian. A prominent Los Angeles literary agent will read her script for possible representation, and DiGiacinto will receive a $200 cash award. She will also receive professional script coverage by Inktip.com valued at $250.

In Second Place is Lonely Hunter by Sarah Schulman, and in third place is Wonder Drug by Caitlin McCarthy.

Each of the three finalists will receive a Final Draft software package, and a 6-month online script placement service by Inktip.com

"I was impressed by all three of the finalists," says Kate Boutilier (screenwriter of The Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys movies), who selected the two finalists and the grand prize winner.

"Each was compelling for different reasons, all were well-written and original." she continues. "Me and Christian was a very simple premise done in a very natural, original way. The loneliness and pain of the lead character was extremely well realized. There was humor and pathos to the script and an intriguing hook with the fantasy life. My congratulations to the author for a nice character study which felt fresh and contemporary, surprisingly moving in the end and very hopeful. A nice 'small' movie but with a very real heart."

Jessica DiGiacinto graduated this May from Tisch's (NYU) Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program, and currently serves as the Managing Editor for a website geared towards college women (collegecandy.com).

Sarah Schulman is a playwright (Carson McCullers), novelist (The Child), and nonfiction writer (Stagestruck: Theater, AIDS, and the Marketing of Gay America).

Caitlin McCarthy was born in Tampa, Florida, and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts. She received her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Emerson College. In addition to screenwriting, McCarthy serves as an English teacher at the high school level.

The WIFV/NE Screenwriting Competition aims to promote the work of women screenwriters and support the creation of worthy film roles for women. Entries must be authored or co-authored by a woman and/or feature a woman or women in prominent roles. Founded in 1981, WIFV/NE promotes the participation, education, and representation of women in the film, video, and media industry in New England. The non-profit organization is a member of the umbrella group Women in Film & Television International, a global network with over 35 chapters and more than 10,000 members. Membership is open to women and men who work in film, video, and related industries or those who aspire to work in these fields, as well as patrons of media arts.

For more information, about WIFV/NE, go to http://www.wifvne.org.

Aug 26, 2008 10:35 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

The New Final Draft, Inc., Software Newsletter is Up!

Inside this issue:

* Product Manager's Message - Comic-Con, etc.
* Final Draft Release News - Features in Version 8
* Did You Know - read Final Draft scripts on the iPhone & Amazon Kindle
* Tips for New Writers - Part 4 of a 4-part series
* How I Write Profile - William Akers
* Writers' Resources
* Upcoming Product Demos in L.A., N.Y.C. and London

To read the entire newsletter, go here.

Aug 23, 2008 5:05 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

UCLA Writers Faire - Sunday, September 7, 11 am - 3 pm

Check out the 9th Annual Writers Faire, on September 7, on the UCLA Campus. 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. Writers of all levels are welcome!

There's so much to do at the Writers Faire:
* Listen to 70 instructors/writers as they participate in lively discussions about the art, craft, business, and life of writing.
* Enroll in most fall courses at a ten percent discount (advanced courses not included).
* Get one-on-one advisement on courses and certificate programs.
* Learn more about Los Angeles-area MFA programs and speak to representatives from five top schools.
* Become familiar with Blackboard, the platform used in all Writers' Program online courses.
* Watch Final Draft representatives demonstrate their software (discounts are available).
* Visit with 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.

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

For more information and a complete schedule, go to:
UCLA Writers Faire

Aug 20, 2008 6:39 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

"Big Break" International Screenwriting Contest Judges Chosen

Final Draft, Inc., publisher of Final Draft, the #1-selling scriptwriting software, announces jury members for its 9th annual Big Break International Screenplay Contest. These stellar jury members represent award-winning writers and development executives. They will judge the top-10 scripts in September, and the top-three winners will be announced at an awards event in October.

The 2008 judges are:

- Dana Stevens--Writer: Life or Something Like It; For Love of the Game; City of Angels
- Benderspink management/production--A History of Violence; The Ring; Red Eye
- Blake Snyder--Author: Save the Cat!: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
- Bruce Feirstein--Writer: The World is Not Enough; Tomorrow Never Dies; GoldenEye

[u]About Final Draft, Inc.'s Big Break International Screenwriting Contest[/u]
The Big Break contest is an annual, global screenwriting competition designed to promote emerging creative talent. The winner is awarded $15,000 cash plus meetings with industry professionals and a year-long mentorship through CineStory. Now in its ninth year, the Big Break contest has become one of the most popular in the nation because of its generous payout and previous winners' successes.

Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced, and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals. The first contest's winner, Dawg, by Ken Hastings, was produced and shot by Gold Circle Films (starring Elizabeth Hurley and Denis Leary). The 2004 winner Rylend Grant was quickly signed by CAA and secured a six-figure deal to write for an A-list actress and an Oscar® -winning director. 2005 winner Julia Van Develder's The Escape Artist is in pre-production after being optioned by a U.K. production company with an award-winning director attached. The Big Break 2007 winner Robert Frisbee was quickly signed by Benderspink management.

For more information about the Big Break contest, visit http://www.finaldraft.com/big-break.

Aug 14, 2008 7:19 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Women Helping Women (TM) Executive Yacht Brunch

Women Helping Women (TM) - Reaching Up, Reaching Back & Reaching Out(TM) - will be hosting an Executive Networking Power Brunch & Boating Event on Labor Day: Saturday, August 30, 2008, 11 am - 2 pm (Boarding is at 10:30 am). The location will be disclosed upon confirmed registration

Women Helping Women is uniquely designed for progressive women (and men) in the entertainment industry!

The event will take place on board the Odyssey Yacht, and features a panel of accomplished,incredible, successful, and supportive executives in a fun, intimate, career-enhancing setting:

Guests (in alphabetical order) will be:

- SUSAN LEVISON, Senior Vice President, Comedy Development, FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY

- SONIA MEHANDJIYSKA, Director, International Sales & Distribution, MAINLINE RELEASING & LIGHTNING ENTERTAINMENT

- VICTORIA MORRIS, Senior Talent Executive, KAZARIAN/SPENCER & ASSOCIATES (with offices in Los Angeles and New York City)

- LUCY STILLE, Literary Agent, PARADIGM, who reps writers/directors - television, motion pictures, books, etc.

* Panelists are confirmed, schedule permitting*

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DRESS: Casual (T-Shirts, shorts, swimsuits okay)

RESERVATIONS (includes buffet, drinks, and opportunity):
Women Helping Women Members: $45.00

Non-Members: $55.00

* RESERVATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION * SEATING IS LIMITED TO 50 PEOPLE * MEN ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND *

In order to have a good mix and to maximize this experience for ALL attendees, reservations will be reviewed prior to confirming. Please provide a paragraph about yourself and how you believe you can benefit from and contribute to this extraordinary opportunity when you send in your payment.

Postmark Deadline - FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008

Write checks/money orders to: Hollywood Global Entertainment Network or HGEN

Mail completed reservation form (http://whw.hgenonline.com/pdfs/ReservationForm.YachtBrunch08.pdf) with payment, business card, AND paragraph about yourself to:

Hollywood Global Entertainment Network OR HGEM
311 N. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(323) 465-9800

Complete a separate reservation form for each attendee on your check.

Refund Policy: There will be no refunds issued for this event. However, confirmed reservations are transferable to someone else on or prior to the event date.

- - - - -

GREAT GUESTS! GREAT CONNECTIONS! GREAT OPPORTUNITIES! GREAT FOOD! GREAT TIME!

For more information please go to: http://whw.hgenonline.com/asp/yachtbrunch08.asp

The event is co-sponsored by Odyssey Yacht - http://www.odysseyyacht.com

Aug 12, 2008 8:36 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Final Draft Inc.'s "Take A Meeting" Los Angeles - September 6 & 7

Get your career rolling with a productive 15-minute meeting. Final Draft, Inc.'s Take A Meeting events (Los Angeles and New York) offer more professionalism and more time to build relationships, present your project, and get your screenwriting career rolling. Don’t miss your chance to meet with and get advice from Benderspink, Circle of Confusion, High Concept Management, Industry Entertainment, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment, Practical Pictures, Silent R Management, Silver Pictures/Dark Castle, Tapestry Films, The Gersh Agency, Underground Films and Management, and many more!

In addition to bringing top executives to the table, some Final Draft favorites will be onsite facilitating educational sessions about writing and marketing your screenplay. Seminar lecturers include Pilar Alessandra, Syd Field, William C. Martell, Ken Rotcop, and Blake Snyder. Plus morning break-out sessions with CineStory industry mentors.

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

Aug 5, 2008 12:19 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

New Final Draft Newsletter

The Final Draft, Inc. Newsletter is now online.

Contents are as follows:

1. Final Draft, Inc.'s Take A Meeting Executive Profile
2. Save $50 off ScriptXpert Coverage Service
3. Script magazine/Ask the Pros Bundle Offer
4. Final Draft, Inc. is Coming to the U. K.
5. Join us Across the Web!
6. Final Draft, Inc.'s Global Voices
7. On the Scene: Transforming Stories @ Highland Farm
8. Writers Marketplace

To read the newsletter, go here.

Aug 1, 2008 1:17 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Take A Meeting Los Angeles Execs Announced

Final Draft, Inc., publisher of Final Draft®, the #1-selling scriptwriting software and Script magazine, announces the executive lineup for its Take A Meeting Los Angeles event at the Beverly Garland. Executives from the following companies will be meeting face-to-face with scriptwriters for 15 minutes:

Allumination FilmWorks & ContentFilm, Alpine Pictures, Inc, Atchity Entertainment International (AEI), Atmosphere Entertainment, Beachfront Films, Branded Films, Broken Road Productions, Category 5 Entertainment, Creative Convergence, David Greathouse Productions, Eclectic Pictures, Emergence Entertainment, Fuse Entertainment, High Concept Management, Humble Journey Films, Industry Entertainment, Inferno Entertainment, Madhouse Entertainment, Molecular, Oceanside Entertainment, Plumeria Entertainment Management, Practical Pictures, Principal Entertainment, QuasiWorld Entertainment, RPM International, Silent R. Management, Silver Pictures/Dark Castle, The Gersh Agency, and Underground Films and Management.

At least 30 more executives from reputable companies will be announced before the Los Angeles event takes place on Sept 6-7.

The Take A Meeting event also offers seminars and workshops on the craft of writing and the business of selling your script. Some speakers are writer favorites like Syd Field, William C. Martell, Blake Snyder and Ken Rotcop. PLUS, both days include a morning workout with CineStory where industry mentors work with attendees in small groups preparing them for their executive meetings.

Marc Madnick, CEO of Final Draft, Inc., states, “Our event is unique from the others offered. We offer more time and more professionalism and we are able to provide better access to some of the top companies. Our personalized registration process allows attendees to customize their meeting schedule by selecting meetings with executives who are specifically seeking the kind of material they write.”

New York Dates – Nov. 8 & 9 – Executive recruiting has not yet begun for this event.

For more information, visit: www.finaldraft.com/takeameeting.

Jul 8, 2008 3:17 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

The Writers Guild Foundation 2008 Craft Seminar

Hooked: The First Twenty Pages – and Beyond Workshop on Screenwriting Set for Saturday July 19

Learn from Hollywood’s best and most successful writers! You are invited to participate in the Writers Guild Foundation’s annual summer craft day on writing for the screen. Entitled Hooked: The First Twenty Pages – and Beyond, the event is a special one-day workshop for screenwriters and screenwriting students on the subject of engaging your audience and keeping them engaged through to a satisfying ending. It all takes place at the Writers Guild of America headquarters at 7000 W. Third Street in West Hollywood on Saturday, July 19. Tickets & Info: www.wgfoundation.org

Panelists and speakers will include Academy AwardTM winners Tom Schulman (Dead Poets Society; What About Bob?) and Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Munich, The Good Shepherd), Academy nominee Robert Nelson Jacobs (Chocolat; The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep) and the legendary comedy writer and director Francis Veber (La Cage aux Folles; The Dinner Game; The Valet). They will be joined by many of Hollywood’s most accomplished screenwriters, including Michael Brandt & Derek Haas (3:10 to Yuma; Wanted), Robert Eisele (The Great Debaters), Michael Goldenberg (Contact, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Simon Kinberg (Mr. and Mrs. Smith; The Last Stand), Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada; 27 Dresses) Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me if You Can, Rush Hour 3), Dan Pyne (Pacific Heights, The Sum of All Fears), Andrew W. Marlowe (Air Force One, Hollow Man), Howard A. Rodman (Joe Gould’s Secret, Savage Grace), Anna Sandor (My Louisiana Sky; Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front), Michael J. Wilson (Ice Age, Shark Tale), and several others. Faculty members from USC, UCLA and AFI also will serve as moderators/facilitators for many of the sessions.

REGISTRATION: $150, general public; $125, WGA members and academic faculty; $110-full-time students with I.D. Parking, breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch and an evening wine and cheese reception are included in the registration fee. For reservations, call 1-800 838 3006, or go to www.WGFoundation.org, where the full program and an updated speaker lineup can be obtained.

Jul 3, 2008 8:29 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content