Volume 6, Number 9
September 12, 2006

Take A Meeting
at the Austin Film Festival
with Top Agents & Executives!

1. Take A Meeting at the Austin Film Festival with Top Agents & Executives

MTV, Silver Pictures, Red Wagon Entertainment, Appian Way and Broken Road Join A-List Take A Meeting Roster

Here is a list of the companies joining the already impressive roster of Los Angeles and New York entertainment executives coming to find new talent at the Austin Film Festival:

• MTV (Run’s House, Laguna Beach, The Hills)
• Red Wagon Entertainment (Gladiator, Jarhead, Memoirs of a Geisha, RV, Spy Game)
• Silver Pictures (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, V for Vendetta, Matrix Trilogy, Gothika)
• Appian Way (The Aviator, Blood Diamonds, The Assassination of Richard Nixon)
• Broken Road Production (Zoom, The Fog, Are We There Yet?, Next, Jack & Jill)

Take A Meeting is an invaluable opportunity to share your ideas with some of the brightest minds in entertainment, in the most professional and respectable environment available to both you and your material. Taking place October 19-22, the Austin Film Festival and Scriptwriters Showcase’s™ Take A Meeting are a combined event not to be missed.

Special offer:  Select any 5 meetings and we’ll deduct 15% at checkout – register now!

To get our complete A-List group of attending companies and register:

Visit: www.Take-A-Meeting.com

2. Big Break! Semifinalists Announced

Final Draft’s 2006 Big Break! semifinalists have been selected! These 20 semifinalists stood out from 3,000 other notable entries, which was no small feat! We know how much effort goes into creating a screenplay and applaud each of you for bringing your vision to the page. The worldwide entries showed diversity and merit and received close evaluation. The top twenty screenplays are now being judged by a panel of industry notables and the top ten finalists will be announced in October, with the winner being announced October 27.

Here is the alphabetized list of semifinalists:

Jason Butler, Dublin, Ireland--TON OF MONEY

Stinson Carter, Los Angeles, CA--ANANIAS

Tom Cosgrove, Dublin, Ireland--THE SEA DEVILS

Steven Davidson, Logan, UT--BADLAND

James Duff, New York, NY--MOROCCO

David Eskin, Vienna, VA--THE WALK

Rick Fonte, Austin, TX--HER FORTUNE

Jen Frankel, Toronto, Canada--MINNIE FINSTER

Jason Ginsburg, Valley Village, CA--THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS

David Haynes, Santa Monica, CA--BAD THINGS PEOPLE DO

Kellen Hertz, New York, NY--MASQUE

Ken Klein, Portland, OR--IMPACTS AND REMAINS
Yehudi Mercado, Austin, TX--BUFFALO SPEEDWAY

Bret Ootes, Toronto, Canada--ATOMIC EYE

Jill Parker, London, UK--LOVE IN THE TIME OF BOLERO

Jon Preece, Newport, UK--ELVIS WALKS HOME

Richard Redlo, Albany, NY--THE OTHER TEAM

Greg Shea, North Andover, MA--HEARTBREAK HILL

Ian Taylor, Lilling York, UK--STREET MAGIC

Nizar Wattad, Los Angeles, CA--AGENCY
 

Congratulations, and best of luck to all of our talented screenwriters!

Liz Alani
Contest Director

Email: bigbreak@finaldraft.com

3. Script Tracker™  Watermarking for Final Draft Film & Television Scripts

In the busy world of TV and film production, anything that saves you time and hassle is worth its weight in gold…in that case Script Tracker is priceless.

It allows you to print named scripts for each and every person involved in the production, individually or as a group. Simply key in the names or group name (e.g. cast, lighting, sound etc), press the button and you’re there, with all Scripts individually watermarked!

No more time wasted watermarking each script by hand, and more importantly, by using Script Tracker reports you’ll know exactly who’s received what script and when it was sent.

Contact: Peter O’ Farrelly
Company: Gener8 Productions
Visit: www.gener8.eu/Products.htm
Email: peter@gener8.eu

4. Final Draft's New Website

We’ve recently streamlined and reorganized our website to make it simpler to navigate and easier on the eyes. Just about everything you need is now no more than a couple of mouse-clicks away.

Visit:  www.finaldraft.com

 
In addition, our brand-new online knowledge base and email support service (as well as free chat service) now make it easier than ever to reach a Customer Support Representative when you can’t find the answer you need from among the over 800 FAQs.
Visit:  www.finaldraft.com/help

5. On The Road

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/purchase. Click on the link below to view this month's featured excerpt from screenwriting professionals.

Question:
Can you discuss the relationship between screenwriter and producer; when do fight and when do you give in?

For the answer and an archive of previously featured excerpts, visit:
www.finaldraft.com/products/ask-the-pros/monthly-excerpts.php?answer=0609

To Purchase the book, visit: www.finaldraft.com/purchase

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/updates-downloads/final-draft-7.php

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/product-registration.php

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/updates-downloads/final-draft-6.php

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/purchase/upgrade-fd.php

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

To find out if your version 2.5 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/updates-downloads/final-draft-av25.php

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/final-draft-av

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/company/newsletter-unsubscribe.php 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 are not specifically endorsed by Final Draft, Inc.

Slamdance Teleplay Competition

Submission Deadline - September 15

Win a job with fox21!

Slamdance and fox21 are looking for the best new original hour and half-hour original teleplay pilots. The Grand Prize winner will receive a “blind script prize” equal to the Writers Guild of America’s scale fee for either a half-hour or hour series pilot. The approximate fees are $30,000 for a half-hour pilot and $45,000 for an hour pilot.

"Winning the Slamdance Teleplay competition... I have gotten meetings with studios and representation with an agent. 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

The Force is strong with The Peace Contest!

ScriptCopier.com is honored to announce that Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, has joined our team of celebrity judges for The Peace Contest, a screenwriting contest that asks the question, ”How would you create peace in the Middle East?” The contest is scheduled to launch in January 2007 and we are still looking for sponsors/volunteers to support this noble cause. Thanks and May the Force be with you!

Maziar Senehi, ScriptCopier.com

For all the breaking news and join our mailing list for future updates:

Visit: www.ThePeaceContest.com

Don't Miss Early Bird Registration for Screenwriting Expo 5

Register to attend Screenwriting Expo 5 by September 15 to receive the $74.95 discount rate. After September 15 your registration will cost $50 more. Screenwriting Expo 5 (October 19-22) brings you Pixar Storytelling with Brad Bird (The Incredibles) and Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo), master class tracks taught by A-list writers, Oliver Stone, William Goldman, Ron Moore, Neil Labute, over 350 events and classes, and a fourth day this year on “Taking Back Your Career.” All for only $74.95 (plus ticket fees of $4), but only until September 15th.

Visit: www.screenwritingexpo.com

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

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

Million-Dollar Screenwriting is BACK!

One Weekend Only
Saturday & Sunday, December 9 and 10 - Note Date Change!

Only 3 Final Draft discounted seats remain for Million-Dollar Screenwriting!
Full Price: $350

Registered Final Draft Users' Price: $250 Produced screenwriter Chris Soth will reveal the Mini-Movie Method of Story that made him over a million dollars in Hollywood. 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 Mini-Movies, you'll never go back to three-act structure! Chris Soth, BA in Dramatic Literature, MFA Screenwriting, sold his screenplay, Firestorm, for $750,000 while still a student at USC Film School, and he wants you to do the same!

Visit: www.MillionDollarScreenwriting.com

To receive the $100 discount, contact Chris Soth directly:
Email: chrissoth@aol.com
Phone: 310-397-3124

Fall is the ideal time to take your craft to the next level. Enroll in one of the many "Best of the Web" (Forbes) online courses offered by NYC's acclaimed Gotham Writers' Workshop. All classes are taught by professional screenwriters and are offered at levels from basic to advanced. This fall Gotham will offer a Screenwriting Level III Intensive with Max Adams, screenwriter and author of Screenwriter's Survival Guide (Warner Books), in addition to workshops in TV writing and screenwriting. Class size is strictly limited, so enroll today.

Gotham is offering Final Draft registered 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. 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

Screenplay Competition Earns A+ Rating

The American Screenwriters Association's International Screenplay Competition was selected as one of only seven screenwriting contests to be awarded an A+ grade on ScreenplayContests.biz. This site offers a searchable database of more than 100 contests graded by Creative Screenwriting.

Enter The Competition
Now you can enter this acclaimed competition for a chance at the $30,000 in cash and prizes. Grand prize includes $10,000 cash and a script development trip to Hollywood. Every quarterfinalist will receive a professional script analysis. Early entry deadline is October 31.

Learn more and enter online:

Visit: www.GoASA.com

The Visual Thesaurus available at The Writers Store

"Inventive. Imaginative. Ingenious. Fanciful."
     ~ The New York Times

This interactive dictionary and thesaurus creates word maps that blossom
with meanings and branch to related words. Its innovative display encourages
exploration and with over 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings, The
Visual Thesaurus will never leave you speechless.

The best part is The Visual Thesaurus works like your brain, not a
paper-bound book; encouraging you to explore just to see what might happen.
Start using The Visual Thesaurus today and experience why The New Yorker
named it "The best recent advance in reference technology."

Only $39.95 Order Today:

Visit: www.writersstore.com/?e=1031

Movie Nation Festivals presents

The 2006 Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and the Supernatural

Sponsored by Final Draft and Popeye's.

Eligibility Requirements:

Professional filmmaker or a student filmmaker or a non-student/amateur filmmaker and your project is less than 2 (two) years old.

The Deadline for entering your project(s) is: Friday, September 15 at 6:00 PM Pacific Time.

For entry forms:

Visit: www.movienationfestivals.com/XFest2006-Frameset.html

For more info contract:

Email: info@movienationfestivals.com

official website:

Visit: www.movienationfestivals.com

American Zoetrope Online Screenwriting Workshops

Online courses, led by professional screenwriters, begin October 10 and include two class levels. Level-1 students will be guided in creating characters, building plots, shaping scenes, sharpening dialogue, formatting, and strategies for selling screenplaya. Advance-Level students will work toward completing a script that is compelling, professional, and produce-able. These 10-week workshops include:

• Weekly craft lectures and discussions that incorporate films
  produced by American Zoetrope. 

• Skill-building exercises with personal feedback from the instructor.
  In-depth critique of student's work by instructor and classmates.

• Student opportunity to submit the first ten pages of a screenplay
  for review by a development person at American Zoetrope.

Class size is strictly limited, so please register early.

For complete information:
Visit: www.zoetrope.com/index.cgi?action=news_item&story_id=90

Introducing Writing Movies: The Practical Guide

In January, MovieMaker magazine honored Gotham Writers' Workshop as "Best Classes for Screenwriting."  Now, for the first time, the school's engaging and effective screenwriting techniques are available in a book. Introducing Writing Movies: The Practical Guide to Creating Stellar Screenplays - essential reading for experienced and novice screenwriters.  

“Every great film begins with a great screenplay, and Writing Movies is the ultimate resource. It’s like having twenty of the best screenwriting books skillfully rolled into one.”

—John Johnson, Executive Director of the American Screenwriters Association

“This is the kind of screenwriting book that I’ve always wanted to write. It answers all of the questions that I’m always asked and then some. You must read this before you write you first or next screenplay.”

—Stuart Beattie, Screenwriter of Collateral and Pirates of the Caribbean

Ask for Writing Movies wherever books are sold.

To learn more:

Visit: www.WritingMovies.info

Robert McKeeComes to LA, NY, London & Toronto!

Author of the bestselling book Story, McKee is one of the most widely known and
respected screenwriting teacher in the world. Portrayed in the Oscar-nominated hit "ADAPTATION" and profiled by "60 Minutes" correspondent Bob Simon on CBS News' "Sunday Morning Academy Awards Special," McKee's sold-out Story Seminars teach the essential principles of screenwriting and story design that studios, production companies and publishers demand from their writers.
 
From LA to NY to London, Sydney, Singapore, Tel Aviv, Boston, Oslo, Rome and 12 other film capitals around the world, more than 45,000 students have taken the course over the last 15 years.
 
"Insightful...Concise..." - Akiva Goldsman

"The clarity of McKee's words and the truth of his approach to storytelling was a revelation for Peter Jackson. He realized that the key to breaking out...would lie in his ability to tell a well constructed story...based on the principles [he] learned from McKee's lectures." - THE NEW ZEALAND EDGE (Bio on Peter Jackson)
 
Upcoming Seminars:
L.A. – September 15-17
N.Y. – October 20-22
London – November 10-12
Toronto – November 17-19
 
For Information and details, please contact:
Visit: www.McKeeStory.com
Phone: 888-676 2533

Arnold Shapiro - 2-Day Seminar on Creating & Producing Your Own TV Shows

How do you become a producer in the television industry? How do you become the next Mark Burnett producing shows like Survivor or The Apprentice? Or the next JJ Abrams producing Lost? Or the next Arnold Shapiro producing Top 10 hits like Big Brother 7: All Stars? Now you can learn from one of television's hottest and most successful producers - ARNOLD SHAPIRO - during a 2-day seminar in which you'll learn how to develop, create and sell your own TV shows.

Television is the hottest medium for writers and producers. Arnold's vast experience as an award-winning producer in one of the most competitive businesses in the world will benefit anyone – from first-time producers to experienced professionals.

"Arnold is as talented a teacher as he is a producer. His insights...are as useful as his knowledge about selling and producing."
-Bruce Rosenblum, EVP, Warner Bros. TV Group

Coming to:
Los Angeles - October 7-8

For details or to register:

Visit: www.ShapiroSeminars.com

Phone: 310-645-1712

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