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.