Description
If you ever need to write a screenplay in standard industry format, you can use this tool I developed, to write in screenplay format almost like a normal text – using any word processing software.
No special syntax, no special software, no formatting while writing.
A simple conversion then automatically transforms the text into screenplay format.
You do not need to learn any specific syntax like with Fountain, nor do you need to buy or rent expensive software such as Final Draft or Celtx. This app is free.
Usage
You only need to follow the following three standard conventions:
1 The scene heading begins with INT. or EXT. or a number followed by a period.
2 There must be a blank line between the description and the character name as well as between the end of the dialogue and further description.
3 The character name must be written in uppercase (it may be aligned to the left).
Additionally, if you wish to use italics:
Text is set in italics when a block is introduced by a line starting with “i”,
and ended by a line starting with “ii”.
The text in between can extend over multiple lines.
Example:
INT. PSYCHOANALYST’S OFFICE – DAY
An empty couch. On the wall, a film poster with the title:
i
Italics
ii
A VOICE
Why have you come to see me?
The file must be saved as a TXT file.
The Perl script can then be used:
perl txt2screenplay.pl myscreenplay.txt myscreenplay.rtf
If you want automatic scene numbering use option -n :
perl txt2screenplay.pl -n myscreenplay.txt myscreenplay.rtf
The text in the RTF file is formatted in screenplay format and can be exported as a PDF using most editors.