Volume 6, Number 8
August 8, 2006

Scriptwriters Showcase’s^SM
Take A Meeting

1. Final Draft K12 Teacher Workbook Available Now

Final Draft products are perfect for meeting the demands of 21st Century educators. Incorporating Final Draft and Final Draft AV into today’s classrooms and curriculum helps engage and inspire students as well as teach them visual story-telling using the same tools industry professionals use.

Today, writing for TV, the Internet or podcasts is commonplace, and students identify with these mediums. The Final Draft K12 Teacher Workbook assists today’s teachers in meeting their writing and technology curriculum objectives, while preparing students to become the professionals of tomorrow. The workbook is intended for grades 6 and up, but it is not limited to those grades.

To download, visit: http://www.finaldraft.com/resources/k12-teacher-workbook.php4

Special thanks to the following schools and teachers for their contributions:

Crossroads Middle School for Arts and Sciences
Teacher: Jay Dean
Los Angeles, CA

Marshall High School
Teacher: Adam Watstein
Los Angeles, CA

Sinai Akiba Academy
Teacher: Dean Glorioso
Los Angeles, CA

2. Scriptwriters Showcase’s^SM Take A Meeting

Scriptwriters Showcase’s^SM Take A Meeting has partnered with the Austin Film Festival to offer an elite opportunity for writers to pitch their concepts and ideas to top executives from Los Angeles and New York. This is your chance to pitch ideas in the most professional and respectable environment available for both you and your material.

Taking place October 19-22, the Austin Film Festival and Scriptwriters Showcase’s^SM Take A Meeting are a combined event not to be missed.

Take A Meeting's A-List group of attending companies is available and you may register online:

Visit: www.Take-A-Meeting.com

For more festival information:

Visit: www.austinfilmfestival.com

3. Big Break! Contest Announces Judges

This year’s Big Break! International Screenwriting Contest has confirmed an outstanding jury!

These stellar jury members represent award-winning writers, producers and development execs. They will be judging the top ten scripts in September. Winners will be announced at an awards event in October.

The 2006 Big Break! judges include:

• Bobby Moresco, Oscar winning Writer/Producer: Million Dollar Baby; Crash
• Simon Kinberg, Writer: Mr. & Mrs. Smith; X-Men: The Last Stand
• Stuart Beattie, Writer: Collateral; Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 & 3
• Zola Mashariki, Director of Production: Fox Searchlight Pictures
• Michel Shane, EP/Producer: I, Robot; Catch Me if You Can

For previous judges, visit www.finaldraft.com/products/bigbreak-judges.php4
For 2005 winners, visit www.finaldraft.com/products/bigbreak-2005winners.php4
For Hall of Fame updates, visit www.finaldraft.com/products/bigbreak-hall-of-fame.php4

Stay tuned for the semifinalist and finalist announcement in September!

4. Free Chat Support

Final Draft offers FREE real-time online chat support, Monday through Friday from 9:30am - 4:30pm Pacific Time. We’re excited to offer our users yet another support resource and we invite you to give it a try if you need help. The link for free chat support is on the right-hand side of the Technical Support section of our website.

We also recommend that you look through the extensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on our website. Our research shows that about 95% of the people who use this comprehensive resource find what they need immediately. You can also email us by clicking on the Ask a Question tab at the top of the FAQ pages.

Visit: www.finaldraft.com/help
Phone: 800-231-4055

5. On The Road - In Chicago

Final Draft is On the Road in Chicago Mon, Aug 28th. See below for details.

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

6. Ask The Pros Monthly Excerpt

The Final Draft book, Ask the Pros: Screenwriting, is available for sale through www.finaldraft.com. Click on the link below to view this month's featured excerpt from screenwriting professionals.

Question:
Does the writer need to be thinking about budget and/or marketplace when writing a spec script?

For the answer and an archive of previously featured excerpts, visit:
www.finaldraft.com/products/book-answers.php4?answer=0608

Visit: www.finaldraft.com/orders to purchase the book.

7. Customer Support / Tech Tip

Final Draft version 7 users:
The most recent update is 7.1.2

To find out if your version 7 is up to date, go to Help > Program Updates. If your Final Draft needs to be updated, you will automatically be forwarded to the downloads section of our website. If you have are not online, open the program and go to the Help > Customer Support menu option and make sure it shows the most recent update. To go to the Updates & Downloads section of our website:
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/support/downloads.php4

IMPORTANT: The 7.1.2 update requires Mac OS X v10.3.9 or better or Windows XP/2000.

Tech Tip -- In Final Draft 7, to 'flip' the Index Cards from Summary View to Scene View, go to View/Index Cards [not Card but Cards] and then choose Show Summary or Show Script.

For more information about the benefits of registration or to complete the online form:
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/support/productregistration.php4

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:
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/help

Final Draft version 6 users:
The most recent update is 6.0.6.0

To find out if your version 6 is up to date, go to Help > Technical Support. If you do not have the most recent update, you should download and then install the free update from our website:
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/support/downloads.php4

Please note that you must have version 6 already installed on your hard drive to install the 6.0.6.0 update. The 6.0.6.0 update will not update any version other than 6.

Registered owners of version 6 can upgrade to version 7 for $89:
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/orders/upgrades-fd.php4

Final Draft AV version 2.5 users:
The most recent update is 2.5.2

Final Draft AV includes the revolutionary new Rearrange Guide Line as well as expanded importing and exporting capabilities. For more information, visit the product information page on our website:
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/products/av-features.php4

8. 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 www.finaldraft.com/help. You can search for an answer from our database of almost 900 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.

9. Writers' Resources

The following is a compilation of events that may be of benefit to you, the writer. They are listed here for your convenience but do not carry any specific endorsement from Final Draft, Inc.

Slamdance Teleplay Competition

Win a job with fox21!

Slamdance and fox21 are looking for the best new original hour and half-hour teleplays. The Grand Prize Winner will be hired to develop an original pilot.

Submit by August 11

Final Submission Deadline: September 15

“As a direct result of winning, I have gotten meetings with studios and networks, and representation with an agent I am thrilled to have. The blind script deal with fox21 may be the most awesome "prize" of any screenwriting competition."
-Ken Pisani, 2005 Grand Prize Winner Cousins Club

Visit: www.slamdance.com/teleplay

In-Depth Interviews with Hollywood's Hottest Screenwriters!

Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby)

David Goyer (Batman Begins, Blade)

Jim Uhls (Fight Club)

Stuart Beattie (Collateral, Derailed)

Ted Griffin (Ocean’s 11, Matchstick Men)

Sheldon Turner (The Longest Yard)

And more…

AVAILABLE ON DVD: A groundbreaking series on the craft of screenwriting. In these 70-90 minute interviews, today's best screenwriters share their work habits, methods and inspirations, secrets of the trade, business advice, and eye-opening stories from life in the trenches of the film industry. Each screenwriter discusses their filmography in great detail and breaks down the mechanics of one favorite scene from their produced work.

HOSTED BY INDUSTRY VETERAN MIKE DE LUCA: former president, New Line Cinema & DreamWorks SKG, and producer of Zathura and Ghost Rider.

WATCH OUR NEW EXPANDED CLIPS, as well as ORDER DVDS.
SAVE 10% BY USING CODE FDE123106. Offer expires 12/31/06.

Visit: www.thedialogueseries.com

Pixar Storytelling at Screenwriting Expo 5

October 21

A full day of seminars and panels from the creative staff of Pixar Animation Studios, the most successful company in Hollywood history. Featuring Andrew Stanton (writer/director of Finding Nemo), Brad Bird (writer/director of The Incredibles), and 10 more Pixar storytellers, this is a once-in-a-lifetime course in cinematic storytelling. Not just for animation writers, but for all screenwriters seeking to craft the Four-Quadrant masterpiece.

Registration is only $90.95.

Visit: www.screenwritingexpo.com

Gus Van Sant Will Judge American Zoetrope's Screenplay Contest

Francis Ford Coppola's production company, American Zoetrope, has announced that Gus Van Sant will judge its Fourth Annual Screenplay Contest, which is open for submissions. The Grand Prize is $5,000. The winner’s and top ten finalists’ scripts will be considered for film option and development by leading major and independent studios, and the writers will be considered for representation by the principal agencies. The contest's aim is to seek out and encourage compelling film narratives and to introduce the next generation of great screenwriters to today's leading production companies and agencies.

The deadline is September 1, 2006, and the entry fee is $50.

For contest rules and electronic entry forms:

Visit: www.zoetrope.com/contests

51 Tips For Winning Screenplay Contests

Want to know what contest winners do to win?

ScriptForSale.com interviewed contest winners, readers, and contest
directors from Nicholl, Austin, Final Draft and others.

The players gave us 51 must-know tips that will increase your
chance of winning a contest.


The 51 Tips include:

- The Basics That You Must Not Blow
- 7 Winning Story Tips
- 5 Ways to Create Unforgettable Characters
- 6 Tips on Writing Outstanding Dialogue
- 5 Steps to Building Entertaining Scenes
- 7 Methods for Turning a Win into a Career
- And others

It's yours FREE as a gift from Final Draft and ScriptForSale.com.

Visit: www.scriptforsale.com/listmail/link.php?id=82dbb1efd

The Second City Summer Programs

The Second City has launched the careers of countless actors, writers, directors and producers, and has influenced American comedy like no other theater. Spend part of your summer at The Second City where you can work out your creative juices in our improvisation and comedy writing boot camps. Our summer programs are held in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, Las Vegas and Toronto and attract students from all over the country and abroad.

Visit: www.secondcitysummers.com

According to the Winter 2006 issue of MovieMaker magazine, the "Best Classes for Screenwriters" in New York City are those offered by Gotham Writers' Workshop. The article notes that "students praise GWW's total immersion offerings that are also easy on the pocketbook." Earlier, Forbes selected Gotham's comprehensive online workshops as "Best of the Web."

Gotham is offering registered Final Draft users a $50 tuition discount when they sign up for their first comprehensive 10-week screenwriting or TV writing workshop offered online at www.WritingClasses.com. Workshops begin in August, September and October. All classes are taught by professional screenwriters and are offered at levels from basic to advanced. This fall Gotham will offer a Screenwriting Master Class with Max Adams, screenwriter and author of Screenwriter's Survival Guide (Warner Books). Class size is strictly limited, so enroll today.

To receive the $50 savings on the tuition on your first first 10-week class, you must provide promotion code FD50 when registering online or by phone. (This offer is valid only on 10-week class tuition for students new to Gotham and may not be combined with any other offer or applied to the screenwriting master class. Promotion code FD50 must be provided at time of registration to receive discount.)

Visit: www.WritingClasses.com
Phone: 877-974-8377

ASA International Screenplay Competition - CALL FOR ENTRIES  

The American Screenwriters Association is now accepting entries for the 10th Annual International Screenplay Competition. This acclaimed competition offers more than $30,000 in cash and prizes. Grand prize includes $10,000 cash and a script development trip to Hollywood. All quarterfinalists will receive a professional script analysis.

To learn more or to enter:

Visit: www.goasa.com

Hollywood Creative Directory Online Database – ONLY $175.00* (regularly $249.95)

A Special Offer for registered Final Draft users:

Write. Rewrite. Revise. Get your script to those who make it “the next big thing”. With the Hollywood Creative Directory Online Database, you’ll find everyone you need to know…now!

4 directories in 1 database – updated daily:

• Hollywood Creative Directory - Film, TV & mobile content producers, studio & network executives, TV shows & staff

• Hollywood Representation Directory - Agents, managers, publicists, entertainment attorneys and casting directors

• Hollywood Distributors Directory - Domestic & international distributors, mobile & internet distributors (NEW), financing companies (NEW), direct-to-DVD companies, theater exhibitors

• Hollywood Music Industry Directory - Record labels/A&R departments, studio & network music departments, music publishers, music supervisors, recording studios & soundstages

*Offer good through September 30 with promotion code FD0806.

To order:
Visit: www.hcdonline.com

Phone: 800-815-0503

Writer’s Discussion of Miami Vice and Little Miss Sunshine with Dan Decker

Saturday, August 26 - 11:00am

Join us for a discussion of upcoming films Miami Vice and Little Miss Sunshine from a writer's perspective. Dan Decker, author of "Anatomy of a Screenplay," leads the discussion on topics ranging from story structure to character development.  Space is limited in this intimate discussion.

To reserve your seat:

Phone: 800-272-8927

The Art and Craft of Screenwriting
. . . the essentials of creating, writing and selling screenplays for film and TV

New NASHVILLE Classes starting soon!

This 8 week comprehensive screenwriting course will focus on creating the story idea, screenplay structure, developing the plot and subplots, creating dimensional characters, constructing scenes, writing effective dialogue, protecting creative work, marketing the screenplay and much more. Students will have the opportunity to write, cast others in the class to bring their screenwriting to life and get valuable critiques to develop their writing skills.  

The Art and Craft of Screenwriting will be taught by Dyann S. Rivkin, an award-winning writer/producer from Hollywood, who has also taught this course at Belmont University and is featured in the book "Final Draft: Ask the Pros: Screenwriting".

Now you can attend screenwriting classes if you live mid-coast!

For more information:
Email: screenwriting@mindspring.com
Phone: 615-781-8874

10% Discount on Final Draft Software Training from The Digital Media Training Series™ (DMTS™)

Magnet Media, publishers of the award-wining DMTS™ -- Digital Media Training Series -- of self-paced training DVDs is now shipping its Inside Final Draft 7 training DVD. This expert instruction provides insider tips, tricks and techniques to get you working quickly and confidently.

Use promotional code FD10 to get 10% off your entire order.

Visit: www.digitalmediatraining.com/products/finaldraft7