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Final Draft Reviews & Product Details

Victoria L.
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Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

It has all the tools you need to write a screenplay. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

Its on the expensive side. New versions continue to come out and it feels like theres a push to upgrade. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Final Draft makes it easy to plan out your script, write it, and share it with collaborators. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Final Draft Overview

What is Final Draft?

For over 25 years Final Draft has been the industry standard and market leader in screenwriting software. Used by 95% of film and television productions, Final Draft is the first choice for both professional and aspiring screenwriters, producers, directors, and industry executives. Final Draft was co-founded in 1990 by Marc Madnick and Ben Cahan, who recognized that Hollywood lacked a word-processor capable of automatically formatting a script to the entertainment industry’s stringent standards. This led to the creation of Final Draft, a fully dedicated screenwriting software application that automatically formats your script to Hollywood’s industry standards. Final Draft quickly became an essential tool for the entertainment industry, and in 2013 the program was awarded the prestigious Primetime Emmy Engineering Award. In recent years Final Draft’s mission has extended beyond providing writers with the best screenwriting software on the market. Final Draft also provides free and exclusive educational resources to writers to help them every step of the way on their screenwriting journey. This includes interviews with professional screenwriters, podcasts, tech tips, and how-to articles. Regular live events keep writers connected with industry and each other, and up-to-date on the latest industry trends. Final Draft continues to unearth the best new talent through the Big Break Screenwriting Contest, which every year awards over $100,000 in cash and prizes, and has launched the careers of countless new screenwriters. Final Draft is fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. The Big Break Contest offers Diversity categories that ensure underrepresented writers come to the attention of industry professionals. Final Draft also provides invaluable resources and connections to BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, marginalized and differently abled writers, helping them bring their stories to the world. As the needs of these communities grow and change, Final Draft will be there to meet them. In 2016, Final Draft was acquired by Cast & Crew. Based in Burbank, California, and with offices across the U.S. and in Canada, Cast & Crew is a trusted partner to major and independent film and television studios. Cast & Crew provides clients with a robust portfolio of critical services. These include payroll and residuals processing, the industry-leading PSL production accounting software and other digital solutions, as well as financial services such as production incentive consulting, management and financing. Cast & Crew continues to accelerate its investment in technology, supported by majority shareholder EQT, a leading investment firm with portfolio companies in Europe, Asia, and the U.S., which acquired Cast & Crew in early 2019. Under Cast & Crew Final Draft provides a world-class product with world-class service and will continue to listen and respond to the needs of writers everywhere. Final Draft is proud to continue to work with our industry partners to improve the lives and careers of writers, including Hillman Grad, Start with Hollywood, Women of Color Unite, the Geena Davis Institute, Seed & Spark, CAPE Fellowship, The Disruptors, Women in Film & TV and NALIP. Final Draft – It all starts with the script.

Final Draft Details
Languages Supported
English
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Product Description

Organizing your story has never been easier with the Final Draft 9 Navigator. No longer just a Scene Navigator, the new Navigator also displays ScriptNotes and Characters arcs.


Seller Details
Year Founded
1991
HQ Location
Burbank, CA
Twitter
@finaldraftinc
35,299 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page
www.linkedin.com
62 employees on LinkedIn®

Alejandro S.
AS
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Recent Final Draft Reviews

Chris L.
CL
Chris L.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"Final Draft for Screenwriting"
Final Draft is the ultimate it may have a price to it but is worth it , every platform even iOS , and use you need to be of some profiency if you s...
FA
Fosca A.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"BEST SOFTWARE FOR SCREENWRITING"
I really enjoy working with Final Draft. I was so positively impressed with the program: it is user-friendly, comprehensive and makes my translator...
Eric F.
EF
Eric F.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"The Only Acceptable Software for Screenwriters"
Final draft is an easy to use tool for producers and writers alike. As a writer it makes formatting and editing super easy. As a producer it makes ...
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Final Draft Media

Final Draft Demo - NEW! Night & Focus Mode
Night Mode inverts your screen to cut down on eye strain, while Focus Mode eliminates unwanted distractions.
Final Draft Demo - Import PDF
Import a PDF and convert it into a fully editable Final Draft file.
Final Draft Demo - Track Changes
Keep a record of edits to your script, then choose whether to accept or reject them.
Final Draft Demo - Real-Time Collaboration
Collaborate simultaneously with your writing partners IN REAL TIME on both the script and the Beat Board.
Final Draft Demo - Insert Images
Insert images on title pages, in the script or even in the Beat Board to help visualize your story.
Final Draft Demo - Beat Board Collaboration
Collaborators can now access the Beat Board, while the new Spell Check and Find & Replace features make the Beat Board even more user-friendly.
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Video Reviews

42 out of 43 Total Reviews for Final Draft

4.5 out of 5
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42 out of 43 Total Reviews for Final Draft
4.5 out of 5
42 out of 43 Total Reviews for Final Draft
4.5 out of 5

Final Draft Pros and Cons

How are these determined?Information
Pros and Cons are compiled from review feedback and grouped into themes to provide an easy-to-understand summary of user reviews.
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Cons
G2 reviews are authentic and verified.
Eric F.
EF
Owner/ Lead Consultant
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

Final draft is an easy to use tool for producers and writers alike. As a writer it makes formatting and editing super easy. As a producer it makes breaking down scripts as easy as pushing a button. Its easy to use, easy to implement with pther filmmaking software, and has great customer support. I use it almost daily for every project now, and I couldn't imagine being a writer without it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

The one annoying thing is that it comes out with new versions every year, and instead of being able to just access those versions once you've bought the software, you have to buy it again. thats slightly irrating, because the software is $300. Its not that its not worth it, its just that I wish I didnt have to pay for basically the same thing, albeit with a few new wrinkles, every single year even if it is at a discount. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

It allows me to write scriots, and then break out lines for just one specific character which is helpful for auditioning roles. It also allows for line editing and breaking the script down by location, character number, etc. which helps set the shoot schedule and budget. Almost every aspect of production can be handled with this software, and thats why it is the mostly highly sought after writing software in Hollywood. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Chris L.
CL
Screenwriter, actor,poet,writer
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Review source: G2 invite
(Original )Information
What do you like best about Final Draft?

Final Draft is the ultimate it may have a price to it but is worth it , every platform even iOS , and use you need to be of some profiency if you started from Trelby and Celtx this will make it easier, formatting is industry standard and has a wealth of features that can see overwhelming at first but becomes second nature very easily , quick implementation , integration with many other formats and files , use every day that frequency helps yo get even better and support is always available Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

The price can be hefty but a great investment Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Giving me crisp sharp scripts ready to go Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

FA
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Review source: Organic
(Original )Information
What do you like best about Final Draft?

I really enjoy working with Final Draft. I was so positively impressed with the program: it is user-friendly, comprehensive and makes my translator's life much easier. Adjusting the formatting in PDF or Word format can become a nightmare as well as time consuming and, after all that, the document still does not look professional as it should. All of that is easily solved by using Final Draft!

Additionally, the customer service department is excellent and responds promptly to your emails with courtesy and professionalism. Great job! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

There is really nothing I do not like about Final Draft. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

I was so positively impressed with Final Draft: it is user-friendly, comprehensive and makes my translator's life much easier. Adjusting the formatting in PDF or Word format can become a nightmare as well as time consuming and, after all that, the document still does not look professional as it should. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

KHALID R.
KR
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

Final Draft is the best application we've tried for screenwriting because of its shrewd devices for designing your work to proficient particulars. It additionally offers spaces to assist you with creating stories, similar to the Story Guide and Beat Board. It permits you to simply start composing when you open it without us agonizing over the configuration. Also different elements like notes taking and working with various drafts of similar contents is incredibly simple. An extremely easy to understand programming. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

Final Draft appears to be absurdly over-valued for what the vast majority use it for, so when it craps out on them they blow up.

The vast majority don't utilize the creation devices, which permit you to produce industry standard reports and all the more critically deal with a secured shooting script in an industry standard way. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

"I'm attempting to take care of story issues in my screenplay, could you at any point help?"

At the point when you're kept up with giving figure a shot your account structure, including explicit beats, go to class. Your sort decision directs a critical number of story choices, including where to develop and where you should break show. At the point when you depend on your type, you're greatly improved prepared to follow through on your story's commitment completely. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Mark S.
MS
Entertainment
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

Where do I start?

I have 34 scripts sold, 19 made into features, and multiple credits as a producer. Final Draft has become my de facto partner in all my film lives.

As a scriptwriter, it’s the only thing I use. I couldn’t imagine writing a script in anything else. No one I know uses anything else because of not only the amazing writing and collaboration tools, but the other features in the software essential to pre-production, production, and post-production. It is the industry standard period.

I also teach scriptwriting. As my teaching partner, using it in class frees me up to not have to worry about ill-formatted material, provides a common ground for any discussion about how something should flow on the page, and allows me to explore, inside the program itself, beat boards, film and TV templates, and many other features. It is a great worry-free toolbox for helping students create their scripts be it film, TV or more.

And finally, and this may be specific to me but no less important, The OC Screenwriters Association which I founded has Final Draft as a partner. We have been given tremendous cache because of Final Draft. The company gives us instant credibility by association; and makes our events all the more important because of it.

I have never truly run across any group or company more willing to go that extra mile to make my life easier. The Enterprise dept, tech support, and everyone else in this company is world class. No matter what I ask, they deliver. It’s like having an entire company of experts who are just a phone call away. And I can confidently tell my students that if they're having any issues with the software or functions, to just call Final Draft and that's done.

I started this journey as a writer alone. I’ve now walked this path in many iterations with a powerful set of tools and some truly amazing people at my back.

Did Final Draft make a difference in my professional successes?

You bet it did.

Does it still?

Without a doubt. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

Nothing that I can honestly state. It and the company are about as perfect as I can ask. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

I teach scriptwriting and it is a great tool for my students to use. Makes my life so much easier. Plus, in my role as president of OC Screenwriters, it's an easy solution to event promotion woes. We give away copies to event attendees and people flock to our events because of it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Stacee M.
SM
Executive
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
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Incentivized Review
What do you like best about Final Draft?

The toolbar is easy to use, and it has pre-made templates to choose from depending on the type of story you want to write. You can choose a half-hour sitcom or an hour-long drama, and it will help with all the correct formatting. Each time a new final draft comes out, it's a better rendition than the previous one. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

I dislike that you have to pay for an upgrade. You should allow people to upgrade the final draft for free for a limited time since we won't be able to use the ones lower after that. We have already paid for the FD and to be charged for an upgrade isn't ideal. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

I used to write in Celtx for my screenwriting, but after using Final Draft, it was a lot more straightforward. It has a lot more to offer than other programs such as Celtx, Word. My formatting is better using Final Draft, and it's a lot easier to have a flow going. Correct formatting is a great benefit you can get from this program. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

VP
Ecommerce onwer.
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

I love that it is practical intuitive, and once you configure it, it makes writing way easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

The only downfall is probably the price. However, if you are a professional screenwriter, it's worth it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

I can create scripts in industry format write fast and intuitively. It is also very easy to create several drafts and go back and forth among them. It's efortless to track changes. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Eric S.
ES
Craft Beer Buyer/Manager
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

Ease of use is paramount. The best screenwriting program for intuitive use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

Not many downsides, wish the beat board was a little better, they should look at Save the Cat. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Final Draft makes the screenwriting easy and effortless. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

I like the most how simple the program is. It is super easy to use, you can use it on two devices so your laptop and computer. I have been using it for like a year now and I only can recommend it. You can export and change the first page, revise mode is useful too. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

There is nothing much that I specifically don't like. Maybe that when I was changing my laptop I had to manually log off the program so I could add it into my new computer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering Final Draft:

The software is maybe pricy, but it is definitely what you need and look for as a filmmaker and scriptwriter. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

I am writing all my scripts on Final Draft. It had helped me through college. I also like that you can use it without internet. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Motion Pictures and Film
UM
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What do you like best about Final Draft?

Final Draft has been around for so long that it's just the de facto screenplay tool by this point. It's easy to get started with and it has all the fundamentals you'd expect. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Final Draft?

The collaborative writing features are subpar. In an age of Google Docs and Office 360, Final Draft's collaboration tools are unnecessarily cumbersome. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Final Draft solving and how is that benefiting you?

Beyond the screenwriting autofill shortcuts, Final Draft's reports tools are industry-leading. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.