Volume 5, Number 5
May 10, 2005

1. FINAL DRAFT INTERNATIONAL EDITION RELEASED

The NEW Final Draft International Edition is being debuted at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, where it will be on sale at the Final Draft booth located in the American Pavilion from May 11 - 22, 2005.

The Final Draft International Edition allows the user to choose from a number of foreign language spell-checkers and thesauri to be used with its easy-to-use specialized word processor for scriptwriting. In addition, the Getting Started manual is now printed in English, French, German and Spanish.

To purchase Final Draft International Edition in the United States, visit:
www.writersstore.com/product.php?products_id=2698&affiliate=ZAFFIL094

To purchase Final Draft International Edition from one of our international resellers, visit:
www.finaldraft.com/international/intresellers.php4

2. 2004 BIG BREAK! WINNER SIGNS SIX FIGURE DEAL

2004 Big Break! winner, Rylend Grant, has signed with Creative Artists Agency. Rylend says, "They've created quite a fan base for me. We have a lot of people, mostly directors, flirting with Drive right now, and I'm meeting with a slew of major production companies. Also, the Big Break! contest gave me a seal of approval, a big shiny medal hanging off of my calling card and because of that medal I just signed a six-figure deal to write for an A-list actress and an Oscar® winning director. I am now writing a remake of a Chabrol film called L'enfer for Luc Besson and Penelope Cruz."  We are thrilled for Rylend!

Our 6th Annual Big Break! International Screenplay Contest has added more valuable prizes and submissions are still being accepted. The winner will receive $15,000 in cash and prizes plus meetings with industry professionals. Microsoft Corporation has just become our 2005 Premier Sponsor and is donating a Tablet PC, loaded with software, to each of the top three finalists. The top ten finalists will receive a copy of Final Draft scriptwriting software, a Microsoft software package, a screenwriting course from Gotham Writers" Workshop, one-year subscriptions to Fade In, RES and scr(i)pt magazines and a gift certificate from The Writers Store.

Deadline for entries is June 15.

For more information about the contest, go to: www.bigbreakcontest.com

 

3. ON THE ROAD

Come see demonstrations of Final Draft and Final Draft AV and have your questions answered by our representatives.

Location	Date	Time
Cannes Film Festival American Pavilion Cannes, France www.festival-cannes.com	Wed, May 11 through Sun, May 22	9:00am - 6:00pm
The Regional Macintosh Gathering, So Cal www.macgathering.com held at Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn 4222 Vineland Ave (at the Vineland exit of the 101) North Hollywood, CA 91602-3399	Sat, May 14	10:00am - 6:00pm
	Sun, May 15	10:00am - 6:00pm
map:   www.mapquest.com
UCLA Extension Writers' Program: Artsday LA 2005 UCLA's Court of Sciences For directions or more information, visit www.uclaextension.edu/artsdayla	Sat, May 21	11am - 3pm
map:   www.mapquest.com
Schedules are subject to change. Check with the location to verify dates and times.

4. CUSTOMER SUPPORT / TECH TIP

The current version of Final Draft 7 is 7.1
The current version of Final Draft AV2 is 2.0.5

Please log on to this web page for Final Draft 7 current version information:
www.finaldraft.com/support/downloads.php4

To determine which version of Final Draft 7 you have, go to Help/Customer Support. If you do not have the current version you should download and install the free update. To download the update, go to:
www.finaldraft.com/support/downloads.php4

Please note that you must already own Final Draft 7. The 7.1 update will not update Final Draft 6 or earlier.

IMPORTANT: If you have MAC OS9, the current version is 7.00.54. The 7.1 update is not supported on OS9.

Please log on to this web page for AV2 current version information:
www.finaldraft.com/support/downloads.php4

To determine which version of Final Draft AV2 you have, go to Help/About Final Draft AV. To download the most current update, go to: www.finaldraft.com/support/downloads.php4

The current version of Final Draft 6 is 6.0.6.0

To determine which version of Final Draft 6 you have, go to Help/Technical Support. If you do not have the current version you should download, then install, the free update. To download the update, go to:
www.finaldraft.com/support/downloads.php4

Please note that you must have Final Draft 6 already installed to your hard drive to install the 6.0.6.0 update. The 6.0.6.0 update will not update Final Draft 7, Final Draft 5 or earlier.

Tech Tip
Final Draft opens in the standard Final Draft screenplay format. To locate an alternative writing template for a screenplay, stage play or a television show, go to: File/New... a pop-up window will then appear offering 3 different categories of templates from which you may choose.

For more information on Final Draft features, refer to the Final Draft User Guide PDF document found in the Final Draft folder on your hard drive or visit our online Knowledge Base. To visit the Knowledge Base, go to:  www.finaldraft.com/support

5. CONTACT US

To respond to this email, DO NOT CLICK REPLY; it will only bounce back to you. Comments and suggestions should be directed to newsletter@finaldraft.com.

NOTE: Support questions sent to the above address will not be answered. If you have a question you would like answered via email, visit finaldraft.custhelp.com. You can search for an answer from our database of almost 800 sales and technical questions. If you still can't find the information you need, click the Ask a Question tab on any answer page.

If you want your name to be removed from the Final Draft mailing list, visit
www.finaldraft.com/media/newsletter-signup.php4 and follow the directions there.

6. SCREENWRITERS' SUMMIT

Syd Field · John Truby · Michael Hauge · Jeff Kitchen
Four of the biggest and most respected names in screenwriting come together for an incredible weekend of learning at the first Screenwriters' Summit in Los Angeles the weekend of June 25-26, 2005. This is a rare opportunity to hear four masters of the craft speak at length on the art and craft of screenwriting in a single weekend. Each speaker will teach a 4-hour session that will educate, enlighten and entertain.

As a special bonus, Robert Kosberg will host a special Pitch Class and Session on Saturday evening. Known in Hollywood as one of the best idea men and producers in the business, he has produced films starring everyone from Brad Pitt to Arnold Schwarzenegger to Bruce Willis, and has sold over 100 feature film projects to various studios.

For full course outlines, visit: www.ScreenwritersSummit.com.

THE SCREENWRITERS' SUMMIT
Los Angeles
June 25-26, 2005
Fee: $395

To Register:
Online: www.ScreenwritersSummit.com
Phone: (888) 245-2228

7. WRITERS' RESOURCES

12th Annual Writers Network Screenplay & Fiction Competition

Win Agency Representation & Cash Prizes!

Now in its 12th year, the Writers Network Competition, co-sponsored by WGA Signatory Agencies, is a unique program designed to give new and talented writers the chance to pursue careers in film, television and publishing. If you have a screenplay, one-hour or half-hour teleplay, stage play, novel or novel in progress that you would like to submit, go to: www.fadeinonline.com/Contests/AwardChoose.html

Enter online or call: (800) 646-3896
Deadline for entries: May 31, 2005 (postmarked by)
Entry fee: $35.00

scr(i)pt magazine Presents:

The 2nd Annual New York PitchXchange
June 10 -12, 2005 - New York University, New York

Last year, over 30 executives (agents, managers, producers) attended the Inaugural New York PitchXchange to hear five-minute pitches from over 500 aspiring and working screenwriters. Companies included Miramax Films, Dimension Films, MTV, Abrams Artist Agency, The Howard Stern Production Company and many others.

This year the event will span the course of three days. The first day offers a full-day seminar with Hollywood producer and pitch king Robert Kosberg. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the master and participate in a Q&A session. The day wraps with Pitch Idol; American Idol with a pitch.

On the second and third days, pitches will rain from the sky as writers pitch their best ideas, five minutes at a time. In between pitches writers will have the chance to attend one-hour classes on subjects ranging from How to Write a Query Letter to Writing a Great Opening. Throughout the entire weekend, one-on-one pitch coaching will also be available in 15-minute sessions.

This year, scr(i)pt aims to create a sequel that surpasses the original. Readers have responded and the turnout spoke for itself; East Coast writers must have a way to access Hollywood without traveling 3,000 miles! And there is no better location than that of the East Coast's finest film program -- New York University.

For more information, go to: www.pitchxchange.com

This event is sponsored by IFP, WGA, Screenstyle, Drama Book Store, Cinewomen New York and Final Draft.

ArtsDay LA: A Free Celebration and Exploration
Saturday, May 21, 2005, 11am - 3pm
UCLA Court of Sciences

Hear 32 free mini-lectures and panels in the areas of architecture, creative writing, graphic design, interior design, landscape architecture, photography, screenwriting, and studio arts.

Receive a 10% discount on many summer arts and writing courses, meet representatives from L.A. museums, art collectives, professional organizations and businesses, enjoy live entertainment, giveaways and, for the first 300 attendees, gift bags with arts-related goodies.

For more detailed information,
visit: www.uclaextension.edu/artsdayla.

This event is open to the public. No reservations necessary.

The Spec Market

Profile your project for the largest audience of entertainment professionals in the world. Baseline StudioSystem's Spec Market posting directory provides an exciting new arena to list your screenplay, novel or story.

Entertainment professionals can browse, search and locate available content, giving you the best possible opportunity to get your script in the hands of the real decision-makers.

To register go to: www.scriptshark.com/specmarket/index.cfm

American Screenwriters Association to Collaborate with San Diego Film Festival
September 21 - 25, 2005 - San Diego, CA

The San Diego Film Festival, which hosts more than 15,000 attendees from around the world, has joined forces with the American Screenwriters Association to integrate a screenwriting conference with this year's San Diego Film Festival. According to The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, the San Diego Festival has received nearly a dozen awards from festival goers and industry peers including Best Beach Festival, a spot on the Top 10 Film Festival Vacations list and Best Regional Film Festival. The Festival not only showcases the best in American and international feature, documentary and short films, includes educational workshops and panels, Q & A sessions with filmmakers and their casts, but it also attracts a number of celebrities each year, with past guests including Jennifer Beals, James Woods, Tatum O'Neal, Elizabeth Berkley, Zach Braff, Cliff Robertson and more.

For registration and ASA membership information:
Visit: www.goasa.com.

For more information on the San Diego Film Festival and Screenwriting Competition:
Phone: (619) 582-2368
Visit: www.sdff.org

Directing Commercials Seminars

Breaking into the lucrative field of commercial directing can be a daunting task. Craig Worsham's 2-day seminar teaches everything you need to know about creating fantastic commercials that will have advertisers begging for more. From your spec reel and preproduction to contracts and pitching, this will transform you from a complete novice to a well informed professional ready to tackle the market.

Worsham, an established commercial director, provides insightful commentary on several spec reels that will help you understand why a commercial fails or succeeds.

Seminar topics include: The process of getting in, your spec reel, creating spec spots, specializing, your concept, producing your spec spots, signing on with a production company, getting the boards, getting the job, the director's treatment, gaining representation, breaking down 3 spots and much, much more.

Commercials are just short films about a product, and directing them can be a wonderfully fulfilling career. If you have ever considered becoming a commercial director, this is the seminar that you cannot afford to miss.

Next Directing Commercials Seminars
May 14 & 15 - Universal Studios, Hollywood

*Also available on DVD with all the handouts included.

For more information, go to: www.directingcommercials.com or call: (310) 356-6009.

Writing Dialogue for Emotional Impact

Learn the techniques professional writers use to craft authentic dialogue that individualizes characters and entertains readers. Developed exclusively for Writers University by best-selling author and former development executive Karl Iglesias, this four-week course will have you writing dialogue that snaps, crackles and pops off the page.

Sessions begin on June 6th. Space is limited.
To register, visit: www.WritersUniversity.com.

This course and many others are brought to you by Writers University, a division of The Writers Store.

American Zoetrope Screenwriting Workshop and Contest

September 24 - October 1, 2005
Come to Francis Ford Coppola's gorgeous Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize for a week-long screenwriting workshop led by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, American Gigolo, Raging Bull, The Mosquito Coast, The Last Temptation of Christ, Affliction, Bringing Out the Dead). Guests will enjoy luxurious accommodations, four-star meals and small group workshops with leading screenwriters. Space is extremely limited and admissions are rolling, so apply today.

For complete information, visit: www.All-Story.com.

The Third Annual American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest
Judged by Francis Ford Coppola, the Third Annual American Zoetrope
Screenplay Contest opens May 1. For complete information, visit www.Zoetrope.com.

Free Teleseminar: 21 Powerful Rewrite Strategies

Need help elevating your writing to a professional level so it gets the attention it deserves?

"It's the best rewrite class I've taken. I've taken three, one was two months, another two days and the third six weeks. I learned more high quality tools in two hours with Hal than all of the other courses combined." - Kymber Yung

In 2 hours, you'll learn:

· 7 professional rewrite processes.
· 3 mistakes that cause your writing to have an amateur feel.
· 6 ways to cut through the confusion and make sure your story works.
· 4 methods of intensifying the most important moments of your screenplay.

Overall, you'll get 21 ways to increase your chance of winning a contest,
getting an agent and selling your screenplays. Best of all, there's no charge.

For info or to sign up, go to:
www.ScriptForSale.com/rewrite_conference2.htm

Learn to Write a Million-Dollar Screenplay
Sat & Sun, June 4th & 5th, 2005

Studio-produced screenwriter Chris Soth will teach a private, intensive, Million-Dollar Screenwriting Seminar Saturday and Sunday, June 4th and 5th from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the Director's Room, Holiday Inn, 2005 N. Highland, Hollywood.

Chris will introduce his revolutionary new Mini-Movie Method of story, breaking a two-hour movie into eight fifteen-minute films. Mini-Movies, or sequences, are an industry secret not taught in any other course, book or seminar. Once you learn this, you'll never go back to ordinary three-act structure again!

Chris Soth, BA in Dramatic Literature, MFA Screenwriting, sold his screenplay, Firestorm, for $750,000 while still a student at USC Film School. Chris has made more than a million dollars as a screenwriter and wants you to do the same!

Visit www.MillionDollarScreenwriting.com to learn more.

Final Draft registered users receive a $100 discount. To receive the discount contact Chris Soth directly:
Email: chris@milliondollarscreenwriting.com
Phone: 310-397 3124

Win a Free Session of Writers Boot Camp's Sensational Immersion Program - The Ultimate Screenwriting Course
Session begins June 5, 2005 - Los Angeles

Writers Boot Camp's Immersion Program is designed to help writers turn an idea into a fully developed first draft in one month's time.

Beginning with a six-day intensive of instruction and creative support, Immersion provides practical, hands-on tools for solidifying a strong conceptual foundation on which to build a draft over the remainder of the program. An industry panel featuring agents, managers, producers, executives and feature and TV writers complements the daytime program. The combination of potent development tools, feedback and creative support and the access and insight offered by the Panel makes Immersion a course like no other. Final Draft registered users receive $100 off the regular course fee of $1295.

For more information or to register, visit: www.writersbootcamp.com/company_info/immersion.asp.

To enter the Immersion Giveaway Contest, visit: www.writersbootcamp.com/company_info/immersioncontest.asp.

TV/Film Seminars & Workshops presents
Power Directing & 2-Day Film School

Most successful screenwriters are not just screenwriters, they're also
filmmakers and directors: Peter Jackson, Mel Gibson, Clint Eastwood,
Tim Burton and many others. Dov Simens' 2-Day Film School and
Jeremiah Comey's Power Directing are two of the most respected
and highly attended classes in the industry teaching the fundamentals of
filmmaking and directing. For details and upcoming classes, please visit:

Jeremiah Comey's Power Directing
www.JeremiahComey.com

Dov Simens' 2-Day Film School
www.DovSimensFilmSchool.com