1.Create a new document by clicking File > New (using Default Template). The default template already has common outline styles set up for you: Act, Sequence, Scene and Beat.
2.If it is not open already, open the Outline panel by clicking NaviDoc > Outline (CTRL+1). You can access the NaviDoc panels via the NaviDoc menu.
3.Press RETURN.
4.First, let's outline the Acts. Click Yes or press RETURN to put in a FADE IN:. The Scene Heading pop-up will come up.
5.Choose Make this an Outline Element by pressing the "o" key. Also, You can use the arrows keys to select an item and press RETURN, or just click on the item with the mouse.
6.Choose Act to insert a blank Act outline element.
7.Type in "In the first act, introduce the main character and establish their objective.".
8.Press RETURN to insert another Act element.
9.Type in "In the second act, present the main character's conflict.".
10.Press RETURN to insert another Act element.
11.Type in "Resolve the main character's conflict.". Now we will type a couple of scenes.
12.Click at the very end of the first Act outline element.
13.Press RETURN.
14.Promoting and Demoting outline elements (CTRL+LEFT/RIGHT ARROWS) allows you to change an outline element into a different outline style; thus placing it in a different level in the hierarchy. Let's make this Act into a Scene by demoting it. Press CTRL+RIGHT ARROW twice.
15.Type in "This scene establishes the tone of the first Act."
16.Press RETURN three times.
17.On the Scene Heading pop-up, press "i" for "INT.".
18.Type in "SUBURBAN HOME - KITCHEN ".
19.Press RETURN.
20.On the Times-of-Day pop-up, press "d" for "DAY".
21.Press RETURN.
22.Type in "An empty kitchen. Somewhere in another part of the house, a MAN and WOMAN are screaming at each other. Small sobs are coming from somewhere nearby."
23.Press RETURN.
24.Type in "Various scribbled drawings are on the refrigerator, mostly in black. A half-eaten breakfast is on the table. A cabinet door under the sink jostles slightly."
25.Press RETURN twice.
26.On the Scene Heading pop-up, press "i" for "INT.".
27.Type in "KITCHEN CABINET".
28.Press RETURN.
29.Press "d" for "DAY".
30.Press RETURN.
31.Type in "TOMMY (8) sits under the sink, knees-to-chest. Tears stream down his face, dripping off a scar on his left cheek. He winces at every burst of anger."
32.Now, let's label the first two scenes as a Sequence. Click at the end of the first Act outline element.
33.Press RETURN.
34.Change this new Act into a Sequence by demoting it. Press CTRL+RIGHT ARROW.
35.Type in "Tommy's childhood trauma.".
You now have the basic skills to start creating your outline in Screenwriter.
