Converting PDF Scripts into Final Draft: A Step-by-Step Guide

Transforming a PDF screenplay into a fully editable Final Draft document is a crucial skill for screenwriters and script supervisors. This guide covers simple techniques to efficiently convert PDF scripts into properly formatted Final Draft files allowing full revision and annotation.

Why Convert a PDF Script into Final Draft?

There are several key reasons to convert a PDF screenplay into a Final Draft file

• Editability – Final Draft files can be easily revised, while PDFs are difficult to edit. Converting allows you to modify the script.

• Formatting – The Final Draft .fdx format ensures proper screenplay formatting and layout. PDF imports can lack correct indents elements page breaks, etc.

• Annotations – Final Draft lets you add highlights, comments, notes for revisions right in the script. Annotating PDFs is limited.

• Production Features – Final Draft includes indispensable tools for production like scene numbers, revising page counts, scheduling, reports, etc.

• Industry Standard – Final Draft files are expected by most productions and competitions. PDFs are seen as unofficial drafts.

• Collaboration – The Final Draft format enables real-time co-writing and file sharing for smooth collaboration.

To take a script into active development or production, migrating it into Final Draft is a must. The versatile .fdx format empowers screenwriters through the entire creative process.

Step 1: Convert the PDF to Text

The first step is extracting the raw script text from the PDF document.

A few options for converting PDF to text:

• Adobe Acrobat Pro – Use the Export PDF tool to convert into a .txt file

• Adobe Reader – Save As Other > Text to extract text

• Google Docs – Upload PDF, then Download as .txt

• Mac Preview – Open PDF, Save as text

• Online Converters – Upload PDF on websites like pdf2txt.com to extract text

• Automator (Mac) – Drag PDF onto the Extract PDF Text action

Each method has pros and cons. Adobe reliably retains formatting like indents, ALL CAPS, etc. Automated text extraction can sometimes lose script structure. Test different options with your PDF.

Step 2: Clean Up the Extracted Text

Direct text conversion will likely require some clean up before bringing into Final Draft. Watch for:

• Incorrect breaks – Scene headings, action blocks or transitions splitting onto separate lines

• Formatting issues – Loss of indentation, ALL CAPS, underline, etc.

• Text errors – Strange characters from faulty conversion

• Page numbers – Extraneous headers, footers, page numbers

Thoroughly proofread the extracted text and correct any irregularities compared to the source PDF. Try another extraction method if major issues persist. Retain the original PDF for reference.

Step 3: Import Text into Final Draft

Once clean text is extracted and proofed from the PDF, it’s ready to import into a new Final Draft file:

• Open Final Draft and start a new Screenplay document

• Go to File > Import > Import Script

• Select the text file and import it

• Choose Script as the file type when prompted

Final Draft will automatically format the text into proper script elements like scene headings, action, characters, etc.

Step 4: Verify Formatting in Final Draft

Carefully check the Final Draft document to ensure:

• Scene headings are uppercase

• Action lines are indented

• Character names are capitalized

• Dialogue is indented

• Page breaks match original pacing

• Text appearance matches source PDF

Make any corrections needed to the structure and layout. Insert missing page breaks if the text is now wrapping differently.

Step 5: Add Additional Production Elements

With the script text accurately migrated into Final Draft, you can now add key production features:

• Scene numbers – Add scene numbering for efficient revision and analysis

• Revision pages – Update revision page numbers to track draft changes

• Header info – Populate header with title, writer name, draft number, etc.

• SmartType – Define character names, scene intros, transitions for autocorrection

• Beat Board – Enter story beats to flesh out the narrative arc

• Notes – Add revision notes right in the script for clarity

These powerful tools take the Final Draft file from rough draft to production-ready script.

Step 6: Proofread and Quality Check

With all formatting, production elements, and edits added, thoroughly proofread the full Final Draft document against the original PDF:

• Check page length, line breaks, alignment match PDF

• Verify no text is missing or duplicated

• Confirm indents, spacing, appearance is consistent

• Review any revisions maintain script flow and structure

• Cross-check against PDF to catch any remaining issues

The final quality pass ensures peace of mind that the transition from PDF to Final Draft preserved the script’s integrity for production.

Advanced Technique: Direct Import from PDF

Final Draft 11 introduced a new advanced feature to import PDF screenplays directly into a Final Draft file.

Benefits of direct PDF import:

• Retains indents, breaks, alignment, pagination from PDF

• Automates reformatting into script elements

• Matches original structure better than text extraction

• Requires less manual clean up of text

• Preserves underline, ALL CAPS, and other styling

To use:

• Verify the PDF only contains script content, no extra pages

• In Final Draft, go to File > Import > Import Script from PDF

• Select PDF and import into a new document

• Proofread carefully to catch any conversion issues

Direct PDF import automation makes conversion quicker when the source PDF has clean script structure.

Troubleshooting Common PDF Conversion Issues

• Incorrect pagination – Insert forced page breaks in Final Draft to match PDF pacing.

• Weird characters – Re-extract text using a different converter method.

• Text blocks merging – Manually reformat script elements like scene headings that merged together.

• Custom indents lost – Reset indents for dialogue and action to match original.

• Alignment problems – Adjust element alignment to match PDF.

• Underline, bold missing – Reapply special styling manually where needed.

• Flow feels different – Carefully review sentence breaks, widows/orphans.

Thoughtful troubleshooting preserves the nuances of the original script flow in the Final Draft file.

Alternatives to Final Draft for Scriptwriting

While Final Draft dominates the industry, some alternatives offer similar screenwriting features:

• WriterDuet – Cloud-based scriptwriting app with collaboration options.

• Fade In – Multi-platform screenwriting and production software.

• Movie Magic Screenwriter – Another leading desktop screenwriting application.

• CeltX – Web/mobile app for screenwriting with production scheduling tools.

• Microsoft Word – With a proper screenplay template installed, Word can work in a pinch.

• Google Docs – Basic real-time collaboration for screenwriting with add-on scripts.

However, importing PDFs into these other programs can pose similar conversion challenges. Final Draft remains the gold standard for production-ready screenplays.

Get Your Script Into Shape with Final Draft

Converting a PDF script document into easy-to-edit Final Draft is simple. With some preparation:

• Extract raw text from the PDF

• Clean up irregularities from the import

• Bring text into a new Final Draft file

• Format and add key production elements

• Proofread thoroughly against the original

In no time, you’ll have the script in the flexible, professional Final Draft format needed to take the next step into development.