Format Screenplays with Fountain
Basic Styles
The Fountain syntaxes are as follows:
Underline
To underline, type _ before and after the words followed by space or return key. You can also click U button in toolbar to underline the words.
Italics
To Italicize, type * before and after the words followed by space or return key. You can also click "I" button in toolbar to italicize the words.
Bold
To Bold, type ** before and after the words followed by space or return key. You can also click "B" button in toolbar convert texts to bold.
Center Text
To centered text, click the align center icon.
Screenwriting Elements
Action
Action, or scene description, is any paragraph that doesn't meet criteria for another element. You can force an Action element can by preceding it with an exclamation point !.
Example:
is an action element.
!ACTION
! to force action element.
Scene Headings
Method 1: Click + button > Select Scene Headings > Choose INT. , EXT. , INT./EXT. or . > Input Location > Choose - , NIGHT , DAY , DUSK or DAWN > Select OK .
Method 2: Type out EXT. or INT. to create a scene heading. It is not case sensitive, although it is recommended to capitalise them for visibility. You can also force a scene heading by inserting . before starting the line.
Example:
. FAMILY GARDEN – DAY```
```.JENNIFER POV```
### Characters
Characters can be created by first leaving an empty line, then typing entirely in uppercase and not leaving an empty line after it. Character notations `( )` following their names on the same line can be in uppercase or lowercase.
Method 1: Click `+` button > Select `Character` > Input Character name > Select `OK`.
Method 2: Character names can be forced by putting a `@` symbol before the name itself. This is useful for names that have lower case letters that need to be retained.
Example:
```MOTHER
It's time for dinner boys!
@Elaine (over the phone)
Did you hear about what Shannon did in school today?
Dialogue
A dialogue is any text that follows a Character or Parenthetical.
Example:
Let's just get pizza today.```
To enable dual dialogue, adding a caret `^` after the second character element or toggle in the character option.
Example:
```DAD
Let's just get pizza today.
MOM ^
Yes!```
### Lyrics
A lyric must be within the dialogue. You create a lyric by starting with a line with a tilde `~` or toggle in the dialogue option.
Example:
```@CHARACTER #1
~This is a lyrics
Parenthetical
Parenthetical is wrapped in parentheses ( ) and follow a Character or Dialogue.
Example:
(walking out the door)
Real vampires don't sparkle!
Transition
Method 1:
The transition phrase should be in all uppercase letters, and should end in TO:. Leave an empty line before and after the transition.
Method 2:
You can also force any line to become a transition by inserting a > symbol at the beginning.
Method 3:
Click + button > Select Transition > Select any of the below transition:
- CUT TO:
- DISSOLVE TO :
- FADE IN:
- FADE OUT:
- FADE TO:
- FLASH CUT TO:
- FREEZE CUT TO:
- FREEZE FRAME:
- IRIS IN:
- IRIS OUT:
- JUMP CUT TO:
- MATCH CUT TO:
- MATCH DISSOLVE TO:
- SMASH CUT TO:
- STOCK SHOT:
- TIME CUT:
- WIPE TO:
Sections
Sections are optional markers for managing the structure of a story. In JotterPad, it is used as Act # or Scene ## in some Fountain templates.
Example:
# ACT I
## SCENE 1
Note
A Note is created in the + option. Notes can be inserted between lines, or in the middle of a line.
Page Break
Page Breaks are indicated by a line containing three or more consecutive equals signs.
Example:
General Lee flies through the air. FREEZE FRAME.
NARRATOR
Shoot, to the Dukes that's about like taking Grandma for a Sunday drive.
>**End of Act One**<
===
>**Act Two**<
The General Lee hangs in the air, right where we left it. The NARRATOR'S voice kicks in.
Syntax Prompt/Autocomplete
Heading Prompt
To reveal scene heading prompts, type in the . symbol.
Character Prompt
To reveal character prompts, key in the @ symbol.
You can also use the same symbol to force a Character element into place. This is useful for Character names with lowercase letters.
Title Page
Android:
Open the fountain file > tap menu icon ⋮ > Properties.
iOS
Open the fountain file > tap menu icon … > Properties.
Mac
Select File > Properties > Input text appropriately.
Web
Open the fountain file > tap Properties.
Example:
:
_**BRICK & STEEL**_
_**FULL RETIRED**_
Credit: Written by
Author: Stu Maschwitz
Source: Story by KTM
Draft date: 1/20/2012
Contact:
Next Level Productions
1588 Mission Dr.
Solvang, CA 93463
Supported Templates
There are many templates that you can now choose and write from on your Fountain documents. These include :
- Broadway Musical
- Dramatists Guild Modern Musical
- Screenplay
- Television Taped Drama (BBC)
- Television Taped Sitcom (BBC)
- Radio Sitcom BBC Cue Style
- Radio Drama BBC Scene Style
- Radio Drama (U.S.)
- BBC Film Screenplay
- BBC Stage (U.S.)
- BBC Television Three-Camera (U.S. Sitcom Format)
- BBC Stage (UK)
- BBC Screenplay for Television
- BBC Television Tape-Live (U.S. Studio Format)
- Podcast News
- Podcast Interview
- Podcast Co-Host/Hybrid
Preview Script
To view the script in draft mode, print draft to PDF. To export the final script, print using templates.
Updated on: 25/07/2022
Thank you!