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Fountain_Syntax.md

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Fountain Syntax

The official description of standard Fountain is available at Fountain.io. This library recognizes a modified syntax. For the most part, the differences do not interfere with the interpretation of standard Fountain.

Standard Syntax

  • Any line not otherwise identified is an Action
    • Forced actions are preceded by a !
    • Actions may be centered with > ... <
    • Actions may have include multiple consecutive blank lines
  • Comments are surrounded by /* and */
    • Blank lines are included
  • Tabs are replaced with four spaces
  • Indentation is ignored except in Action
  • Pagebreaks are indicated with ===
  • Scene headings start with INT, EXT, or I/E.
    • They may be forced with .
  • Transitions end with TO:
    • They may be forced with >
  • Lyrics are preceded by ~
  • Characters are in all upper case.
    • They may be forced with @
    • There may be a same-line parenthetical.
    • Trailing ^ indicates simultaneous or dual dialog.
  • Dialog speech follows Character or Parenthetical.
  • Parentheticals follow Character or Speech. They are surrounded with ( and ).
  • Bold text is indicated with **
    • They must start and end on the same line
  • Italic text is indicated with *
    • They must start and end on the same line
    • Asterisks may be escaped with \*
  • Underlined text is indicated with _
    • They must start and end on the same line
  • Notes are surrounded by [[ and ]]
    • They must start and end on the same line, unless they include a continuation.
  • Continuations are lines that contain only whitespace.
    • Blank lines are not continuations.
  • Sections start with a series of #
    • The number of # indicate the section number.
  • Synopses start with a single =

Modified Syntax

  • Continuations include a line with whitespace followed by a period. This makes continuations visible to the writer. Some text editors strip trailing whitespace, which would destroy continuations that consist of only whitespace. If a solo period is needed in the output, it may be escaped or formatted.
  • Formatting with * and _ ignore spacing.
    • May be useful to format text mid-word.
    • Use escapes if actual character is needed.
  • Multiple blank lines are collapsed into one.
    • They can be forced with continuations if needed.
  • Notes may start with [[ and end with a blank line. (This is implied by the standard.)
    • Notes may also start with a blank line and end with ]].
      • This modification allows two paragraph notes without a continuation.
      • Notes longer than two paragraphs still require continuations.
  • The following escapes are recognized:
    • \* – Part of standard Fountain.
    • \[ \] – In case [[ and ]] are wanted in the output.
    • \_ \: \\ \< \>
    • \& \.
  • Scene headings may start with EST (establishing).
  • Some stock transitions are recognized without forcing the transition.
    • Must be shorter than 20 characters. (Force if longer is needed.)
    • Ends with " OUT." – FADE OUT. IRIS OUT.
    • Starts with "CUT TO " – CUT TO BLACK.
    • DISSOLVE:
    • END CREDITS:
    • FADE IN:
    • FREEZE FRAME:
    • INTERCUT WITH:
    • IRIS IN:
    • OPENING CREDITS:
    • SPLIT SCREEN:
    • STOCK SHOT:
    • TIME CUT:
    • TITLE OVER:
    • WIPE: