Final Draft

Final Draft’s “Development Partners” Deal

Final Draft, Inc., is thrilled to be working with two new development software partners; Blake Snyder and Save the Cat! Enterprises, and Toon Boom Animation Inc., publishers of Storyboard Pro. Both products now have the ability to import Final Draft’s FCF file format for a more seamless transition from writing to outlining and/or storyboarding. Additionally, both products will be offered as a bundle option with Final Draft through the educational channel.

“We are extremely excited about this partnership and the opportunities it presents. As a niche-market company, we strive to form strategic alliances with businesses who share a similar mission and vision. Together, the alliances allow the partnered companies to enhance its product offerings and better serve the customer,” states Eddie Rehfeldt, Chief Marketing Officer at Final Draft.

Anne Lower, Director of Educational Sales and Marketing, agrees.

“By adding Toon Boom Animation and Save the Cat! Enterprises to Final Draft’s group of partners, we take a bold step forward in the educational market, by actively helping student storytellers to get their words out of their heads, onto the page – and the screen.”

Academic Advantages of Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat!
- Easy development of a powerful Logline and Title
- Choose one of 10 Genres, each with recognizable traits that will help you write something that is “the same, only different”: Monster in the House, Golden Fleece, Out of the Bottle, Dude with a Problem, Rites of Passage, Buddy Love, Whydunit, The Fool Triumphant, Institutionalized, and Superhero
- Fill in a Blake Snyder Beat Sheet with the 15 key beats for every screenplay: Opening Image, Theme Stated, Set-up, Catalyst, Debate, Break into Two, B Story, Fun and Games, Midpoint, Bad Guys Close In, All Is Lost, Dark Night of the Soul, Break into Three, Finale, and Final Image
- Use “The Board,” the fabled device seen in executive offices all over Hollywood, which allows you to "see" your movie before you begin writing. The Board is broken down into four rows, 10 cards per row for a total of 40 — a good average count for the number of beats in the average movie

Academic Advantages of Toon Boom Storyboard Pro
- Introduction to pre-production concepts
- Development of logical planning and skills
- Essential tool for preparation and detailed development of any audiovisual project.
- Understanding of the critical pre-production phase, emphasizing the importance of pre-production accuracy and checks
- Easy integration into any production pipeline

Mar 25, 2008 11:29 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Final Draft’s™ Global Voices Initiative Sponsored Filmmaking Seminar for Local High School

Final Draft, Blake Snyder and Stephanie Austin delivered real-world Hollywood experience to Camino Nuevo High’s Senior Class.

Final Draft, Inc., joined Blake Snyder (Screenwriter and Author of Save the Cat) and Stephanie Austin (Producer, Behind Enemy Lines, True Lies) at Camino Nuevo Charter High School in Los Angeles last week as part of its Global Voices initiative. Final Draft has developed a three-year plan to completely outfit the school with Final Draft software. Phase I of the initiative launched with Mr. Snyder’s visit, sponsored by Final Draft.

Camino Nuevo’s mission is to teach real-life skills to its students through interactive and project-based lessons. Screenwriter and Humanities teacher Peter Cook helps his students craft resonant stories and mentors them in the business of selling and marketing films in Hollywood. Cook uses both Final Draft software and Snyder’s book, Save the Cat! to teach screenwriting to his students.

"Final Draft is committed to supporting the storytellers of today and to helping develop those of the future," says Marc Madnick, Founder and CEO of Final Draft, Inc.

Anne Lower, Director of Education and Outreach, adds, "No matter how you use the craft, whether as a career or for personal growth, mastering the art of storytelling can be a life changing event that opens up a world of possibility."

Mar 17, 2008 9:32 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

2008 Cinema City International Film Festival

On Monday, March 10, the ballroom at the Century Park Hyatt sparkled. Soldiers, filmmakers, and supporters came out to honor the winners of the 2008 Cinema City International Film Festival, as they capped off their 2-day screening competition.

Cinema City is dedicated to supporting the next generation of independent filmmakers. Yet the festival was much more than that. The Gala served as a fundraiser for numerous burn foundations, and honored American Soldiers who have endured burn injuries while serving our country.

Final Draft was pleased to sponsor the award for Best TV Pilot Script. Our winner, Liz Alper, who wrote Wheat in Chicago, was absolutely ecstatic.

“I feel like I’m on top of the world,” she said. “I have a gold statuette that tells me I can go out and do anything.”

Wheat in Chicago is the story of two brothers who went to Chicago during the Great Depression to make a better life, and wound up getting seduced by the gangs.

“The heart of the story,” Alper says, “is based on a relationship I had with a friend, who was a role model for me.”

The friend has since passed away, and Alper dedicated her award to him. Alper knows her journey as a writer is just beginning.

Congratulations to all the 2008 Cinema City International Film Festival Winners:

Best TV Movie Script - Watching Closely

Best TV Pilot Script - Wheat in Chicago

Best TV Short Form Pilot - The Volt

Best TV Pilot - Loving the InLaws

Special TV Pilot Diversity Award - The New Americans

Best Music Video - Siempre Pude Ver

Best Commercial - Too Many

Student Filmmaker Award - Marcus Clarke

Audience Award - A tie between Gunmen and Undoing Time

For more information, go to Cinema City International Film Festival

Mar 12, 2008 1:24 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

Hollywood Networking Breakfast® on Friday, March 27

If you live in the Los Angeles area and have never been to Sandra Lord’s Hollywood Networking Breakfast®, you should check it out.

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.

"Networking is absolutely crucial to success in any business, especially in Hollywood, where it's all about who you know,” Lord explains.

“Everyone networks at their level, including the big guys,” she continues. “If you're trying to make connections using the same strategy that has produced little or no results, or if you feel stuck in your professional pursuits—frustrated or spinning your wheels—It's time for a change ... and that change is usually a better networking game plan to get to the right people."

March’s Guest Speaker will be Cassian Elwes, Co-Head, William Morris Independent, which is the leading agency in independent film. In 2007 alone, WMI was involved in the financing and distribution of over 30 films.

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

Date: March 27, 2008 (for on-time registration, checks must be postmarked by 3/20/08)

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 more information, go to www.changingimagesinamerica.org

Changing Images in America is a non-profit organization, promoting diversity in entertainment.

Mar 6, 2008 11:39 AM | Link | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Report Content

Final Draft February Newsletter

Check out the latest Final Draft Newsletter:

February Final Draft Newsletter

Mar 3, 2008 9:41 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

FINAL DRAFT's Big Break Int'l Screenwriting Contest Early Deadline is this Saturday, March 1

Enter the Big Break International Screenwriting Contest by March 1, and receive a free 6-month subscription to Script magazine! Script is published bi-monthly; so you will receive 3 issues.

Big Break is an annual, global screenwriting contest designed to support emerging creative talent, paving the way for the next generation of film artists. Big Break rewards screenwriters with cash, prizes, and A-list executive meetings. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced, and have secured high-profile representation, as well as lucrative writing deals.

Since its inception in 2000, Big Break has awarded screenwriters with over $100,000 in cash and prizes and invaluable industry exposure. A panel of notable industry professionals conducts the final judging.

The 9th Annual Big Break International Screenwriting Contest opened February 1, and will close June 15.

For more information, go to www.finaldraft.com/bigbreak or contact Liz Alani, Contest Director, at alani@finaldraft.com.

Break a leg!

Feb 27, 2008 8:30 AM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content

FINAL DRAFT’s™ Big Break International Screenwriting Contest Open for Entries

Final Draft, Inc., publisher of Final Draft®, the #1-selling scriptwriting software, announces the launch of its 9th Annual Big Break International Screenwriting Contest which opened February 1st and closes June 15. This year, Big Break has partnered with CineStory, a non-profit organization that provides new screenwriters with opportunities to work with committed industry professionals to raise the level of their craft and career marketability. CineStory's commitment to helping writers improve their craft and gain access into the industry aligns itself perfectly with the philosophy of Final Draft’s Big Break.

This partnership allows Final Draft to add to its Big Break contest prize package a mentoring component which sets its contest apart from the sea of others. While Big Break has always awarded its finalists with substantial cash and prizes, including industry meetings for the top three winners, the contest has never before offered a year-long industry mentorship as part of its grand-prize winner package. CineStory will also invite the top three Big Break finalists to participate in CineStory’s annual retreat in Idyllwild.

At the CineStory retreat, writers meet with several retreat mentors to discuss their script submissions and possible personal pathways to a professional life in the business. At the conclusion of the three-day retreat, the Big Break contest winner will select two industry mentors with whom they will work for one year.

"We’re pleased about this new partnership and how it aligns with our goal to support emerging creative talent. I am excited to add a mentorship component to the Big Break ’s prestigious industry exposure and cash rewards,” says Liz Alani, Final Draft’s Contest and Events Director.

Big Break offers early registration incentives. Electronic submissions encouraged.

For information on Final Draft’s Big Break Contest, contact Liz Alani (alani@finaldraft.com)
For company information, contact Meredith Cornelius (meredith@finaldraft.com)

Feb 4, 2008 2:50 PM | Link | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Report Content