Fountain Syntax Reference
Everything you need to write screenplays in plain text.
Scene Headings
Scene headings (or "slug lines") begin with INT., EXT., EST., INT./EXT., or I/E. followed by a location and time of day.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY EXT. BEACH - SUNSET INT./EXT. MOVING CAR - NIGHT
You can force any line to be a scene heading by starting it with a period: .FLASHBACK
Action
Action (or "description") is any paragraph that doesn't meet the criteria for another element. Just write normally.
The door slams open. SARAH storms in, soaking wet, mascara running down her face. She throws her keys on the table.
Force a line to be action by starting with !: !BANG!
Character Names
Character names are in ALL CAPS on their own line, with dialogue following below.
SARAH I can't believe you did that. MARCUS (V.O.) Neither can I. DETECTIVE #1 Where were you last night?
Extensions like (V.O.), (O.S.), (CONT'D) go on the same line. Force a character name with @: @McCLANE
Dialogue
Dialogue is any text following a character name, until the next blank line.
ANNA You know what your problem is? You never listen. Not once. Not ever.
Parentheticals
Parentheticals (or "wrylies") are wrapped in parentheses on their own line within dialogue.
MARCUS (under his breath) This is insane. (beat) Completely insane.
Dual Dialogue
For characters speaking simultaneously, add a caret ^ before the second character name.
ANNA I hate you! ^MARCUS I love you!
Transitions
Transitions are uppercase lines ending in "TO:" — they appear right-aligned in output.
CUT TO: FADE TO BLACK. DISSOLVE TO:
Force any line to be a transition with >: > FADE OUT.
Centered Text
Center text by wrapping it with > and <.
>THE END< >A Film by Jane Doe<
Emphasis
Style text with asterisks and underscores, like Markdown.
*italic* **bold** ***bold italic*** _underline_
You can combine them: _**bold underline**_
Title Page
Title page info goes at the very top, as key/value pairs. Blank line ends the title page.
Title: Big Fish
Credit: Written by
Author: John August
Draft date: 1/20/2003
Contact:
John August
john@johnaugust.com Common keys: Title, Credit, Author, Source, Draft date, Contact, Copyright
Page Breaks
Force a page break with three or more equals signs on their own line.
===
Sections & Synopses
Organize your script with sections (like Markdown headings) and synopses. These don't appear in printed output.
# Act 1 ## Scene 1 = Sarah meets Marcus at the coffee shop. INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Sections use #, synopses use =. Purely for outlining.
Notes
Add notes (not printed) with double brackets.
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY [[production: need rain machine]] SARAH [[maybe cut this line?]] I never want to see you again.
Boneyard
Comment out large sections with /* */. Ignored in output.
/* INT. DELETED SCENE - DAY This whole scene was cut. */
Line Breaks
Fountain auto-wraps text. Force a line break with two spaces at end of line, or use blank lines.
MARCUS I came here to say two things: One, I'm sorry. Two, goodbye.