To write and edit the Index Cards, you need to be in Outline Mode. If it's not already selected, select it by clicking on the Outline button at the bottom right of the Toolbar.
Using the mouse, click on an Index Card.
Click on the top right box of the card to enter Scene Heading information. Type INT. or EXT., the Location, and the Time-of-Day. (You don't have to enter the full Scene Heading text. You can enter any text you find useful in outlining your story, such as “The big showdown scene”.)
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To enter text in the main body of the card, click in the card body and type. |
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To be recognized as elements in your document, text needs to be entered in Index Card mode obeying the following guidelines: |
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To move to another Index Card, press TAB. |
Script Element |
Enter in Index Card as: |
Action |
Normal paragraph, with one blank line before and after it. |
Character Name |
Formatted as ALL CAPS, and followed by a colon and 2 spaces. |
Dialogue |
Immediately following the Character Name (after the colon and two spaces) and on the same line. The text should wrap normally, without any special indentation. Example: KAREN: Oh my love, you have returned to me! |
Parenthetical |
Part of the dialogue (on the same line), but text is enclosed in parentheses with a space before and after as appropriate. Example: KAREN: Oh my love you have returned to me! (sotto) At last! |
Transition |
Formatted as ALL CAPS. Entered as an Action paragraph with one blank line before and one blank line after it. Transition text must end in “TO:” Transition text should be surrounded by two carets, like the following: ^^CUT TO:^^ |
Shot |
Formatted as ALL CAPS. Entered as an Action paragraph with one blank line before and one blank line after it. Shot text should be surrounded by two square brackets, like the following: [[ANGLE ON SIGN]] |
Centered Title |
Formatted as ALL CAPS. Entered as an Action paragraph with one blank line before and one blank line after it. Centered Titles should be surrounded by two equal signs, like the following: ==No Trespassing== |
Note |
Formatted as ALL CAPS. Entered as an Action paragraph with one blank line before and one blank line after it. Notes should be surrounded by two angle brackets, like the following: <<Make sure we keep the ages consistent!>> |
Forced Page Break |
Entered as an Action paragraph with one blank line before and one blank line after it. Contains exactly the following text: ##Forced Page Break## |
