Final Draft Tips

Scene Numbers

2008-04-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

QUESTION

Is it possible to adjust the scene numbers that Final Draft creates on the script? Example, it split one scene into two, and I'd like it to go back into being 1 longer scene. Another different scenario: I have a scene (let's say, sc 35A) that is 'interrupted' by a flashback (we'll call it sc. 36), and I'd like to continue that first scene after the flash back (call it 35B). Is this possible to modify, or am I stuck with the numbers Final Draft generates? A broader question for this, is it confusing to have scene numbers that aren't sequential? The script is non-linear so it becomes tricky.

ANSWER

I'd have to experiment with FD to check. I've never needed to do it. Before we go there, may I ask you a question?

Are you the director for this screenplay? Directors will place the scene numbers the way they like them. If the writer adds them, the first thing the director will do is remove them.

In case you are the director, let's discuss lettered scene numbers. If you have scenes 35 and 36, then a scene inserted during photography would become 35A. Calling a scene 35A before the production rundown is locked seems odd. Adding a scene during shooting would then become 35A1. Unless you're already in production, you're making it too complicated.

Is this is a spec script? If so, I would urge you to exercise restraint with flashbacks and fantasy sequences. Studio readers have a quota. They will get lost as they rush through a complicated script.

FOLLOW-UP

Our concern is, how do we make it obvious in the shooting script that one scene is the continuation of another?

ANSWER

It's typical to shoot out of order. The director or the AD will create a production shooting schedule that re-orders the related scenes together so that you don't have to break down between scenes. It will be obvious that it's a continuation when scenes in the same location shoot back-to-back.

It's the script supervisor's job to track continuity. You may need to go over the script and rundown with her to make sure it's clear.

Remove Extra Characters

2008-04-13T00:56:00.000-07:00

QUESTION

I´ve been working on a script and after several versions of it FD keeps on saving characters from all versions. How can I update my characters list and save only the ones that appear on the final version?

ANSWER

{Document/SmartType} {Characters} {Rebuild}

Remove Blank Lines

2008-04-13T00:54:00.000-07:00

QUESTION

Do you know how to eliminate the space between the character and dialogue? I've spent 3 hours trying to figure it out.

Example:

Bill

Do you know where you're going?

ANSWER

That depends how the space got there. If you have double-spacing turned on you could try turning it off. If it really is an extra line, it's a bit more tricky. Copy-and-paste the document into Word. In Word use Search-and-Replace to replace ^p^p with ^p. Copy-and-paste the document back into a new screenplay document in Final Draft.

Format Montage

2008-04-13T00:46:00.000-07:00

QUESTION

How can I format a "series of shots" and "montage" in Final Draft? The text in each shot should wrap beneath the text, not beneath the letter of the outline, but I just can't figure it out how to do this in Final Draft.

It should read like this:

A) John runs down
the street.

But in Final Draft it read like this:

A) John runs down
the street.

ANSWER

Controlled with the hanging indent and margin controls just above the document in FD.

More on montages:

http://johnaugust.com/archives/2004/formatting-a-montage-sequence

Print scenes for actor

2008-04-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

QUESTION

Can I retrieve all scenes for a specific actor? Lets say I need to hand out text for rehearsal for an actor and I want to print out only the relevant scenes is there an easy way to do so?

ANSWER

To print character sides on Windows:

{File}{Print}{Character sides}

To print character sides on Mac:

Same as for Windows, but change {Copies and Pages} pulldown to {Final Draft} in Print dialog.

To print only the character's lines (not sides):

{Tools}{Reports}{Character Report}

Printing character sides is a choice in the Print dialog. After picking Character sides you can choose which character's sides you want printed. The "sides" are scenes that an actor reads for an audition, typically.

Final Draft Question: Puzzling Error Message

2007-01-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

I have been writing on my PC laptop on Final Draft 5.0 for quite some time, and I have just installed the same program on my Mac. Every time I try to use the program I get an error message saying, "your backup directory cannot be found". Do you know how to fix it?

FD5 is two versions back, but still usable.

Whenever you see a mysterious error message in Final Draft it's time to go to the online technical database. That's under {Support}{FAQ Pages} on the Final Draft website. (At least, that's where it is until the next time they overhaul their website.) Enter the text of the error message in the search field provided there and voila!

What's happening to you is Mac FD5 is freaking out that it can't do auto-save. Go to {Edit}{Preferences}{Auto Save/Backup}{New Folder} and navigate to the backup folder in the Final Draft folder.

Final Draft Question: Faint Fonts

2007-01-17T22:10:00.000-08:00

I'm working with Final Draft 7.1.3 on Windows XP. When I look at a screenplay exported to pdf large sections of text look either faint or bold alternately...as if I selected random portions of each page and turned the font to "bold". This effect even comes through when I print. Ideas?

A few things you could try.

1. On the premise that you are really using two fonts in your script without realizing it, check that the sections that are faint are in the Courier Final Draft font. You don't want Courier or Courier New because they are too faint.

2. On the premise that you have a defective fdr, export pdf, cut-and-paste from the pdf into a new fdr, then try outputting to pdf again.

3. On the premise that you have a defective install. Install FD7 again.

4. On the premise there's something wrong with pdf or fonts, try outputting to PDF not using the FD7 converter, but with a Windows (PDFcreator) or Mac OS X converter.

Let me know what you discover.

Thanks for the fast response! Sure enough, there was no specific font selected. I picked Courier Final Draft, saved everything, and then exported to pdf. Everything looks good. Thanks for your time! I owe you one.

Final Draft Import

2007-01-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

Importing a script into Final Draft

Final Draft Common Tips

2007-01-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

Final Draft Common Tips

Final Draft the First Time

2007-01-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

Final Draft the First Time

Article for first-time users of screenwriting software.