Formatting Guidelines

To ensure your script imports cleanly and the AI understands who's speaking and when, we follow a simplified version of the Fountain format - a plain text format used widely for screenwriting.

This guide explains how to format your script so the AI can deliver each line accurately and with the right timing.

📄 Basic Script Elements (in order)

Each line of your script typically falls into one of the following categories:

1. Scene Heading

Write scene headings in ALL CAPS starting with INT. or EXT.

INT. COFFEE SHOP – DAY

This is optional and purely for structure - it won’t be read aloud by the AI unless you want it to.

2. Stage Directions

There are 2 types of directions: actions and parentheticals

Action lines describe what’s happening. They are plain sentences (not capitalized), usually placed between dialogue. These are not read aloud unless enclosed in parentheses.

She sets the mug down without saying a word

Stage directions relating to dialogue are wrapped in parentheses on their own line:

SARAH
(whispering)
Be quiet...

3. Character Name

A character’s name is written in ALL CAPS on a line by itself to indicate who is speaking.

SARAH

4. Dialogue

Write the spoken line immediately beneath the character name. You can add inline instructions using parentheses:

SARAH
I don’t think that’s going to work.
(pause)
We need a new plan.

✅ Correct Structure (Putting It All Together)

Here’s how a cleanly formatted excerpt might look:

INT. OFFICE – NIGHT

ALEX
Let’s just get this over with.

Sarah puts down the mug.

SARAH
(panicked)
We can’t! They’re still inside!

💡 Tips for Clean Formatting

• Use blank lines between blocks (e.g., between characters or stage directions)
• Avoid using colons (ALEX:) — stick with ALL CAPS names
• Keep it text only. Don’t add bullet points, and other non-text characters.
• Don't indent lines or use quotation marks for dialogue

🙋 Common Issues & Fixes

Most of the time, you simply need to change the line type e.g.

💊 The change matrix

🧪 Want to Test It?

Create a new document, using the “Paste text” option. See how the editor interprets your format.