# Fountain Syntax Rules
This document provides a summary of the Fountain screenplay syntax, designed for technical reference within the JumpCut project.
**Source:** [Fountain Syntax (https://fountain.io/syntax/)](https://fountain.io/syntax/)
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## 1. Scene Headings
* **Standard:** Must be preceded by a blank line. Starts with `INT`, `EXT`, `INT./EXT.`, `EST.`, etc.
* **Forced:** Start a line with a single period (`.`) to force a scene heading regardless of the starting text.
* **Scene Numbers:** Added at the end of the line, wrapped in `#` (e.g., `#1#` or `#A1#`).
## 2. Action
* **Standard:** Any paragraph that doesn't match other element types is treated as Action.
* **Forced:** Start a line with an exclamation mark (`!`) to force it as Action.
* **Indentation:** Leading tabs or spaces are generally ignored unless forcing a specific layout.
## 3. Characters
* **Standard:** A line in ALL CAPS, preceded by a blank line, and followed by Dialogue or a Parenthetical.
* **Forced:** Start a line with `@` to force it as a Character name (useful for names with lowercase letters).
* **Extensions:** Character names can include extensions in parentheses, like `(O.S.)` or `(V.O.)`.
## 4. Dialogue and Parentheticals
* **Dialogue:** Follows a Character cue or a Parenthetical.
* **Parentheticals:** Wrapped in `(parentheses)` and must occur between a Character and Dialogue, or between two Dialogue blocks.
* **Dual Dialogue:** Add a caret (`^`) at the end of the second Character cue to indicate it should be rendered side-by-side with the preceding block.
## 5. Transitions
* **Standard:** Must be in ALL CAPS, preceded by a blank line, and end in `TO:`.
* **Forced:** Start a line with a greater-than symbol (`>`) to force a Transition (useful for "FADE OUT" or other non-standard cues).
## 6. Formatting and Lyrics
* **Emphasis:** Supports standard Markdown:
* `*Italic*`
* `**Bold**`
* `***Bold Italic***`
* `_Underline_`
* **Lyrics:** Start a line with a tilde (`~`) to indicate sung lyrics.
* **Centered Text:** Wrap text in greater-than/less-than symbols: `> Center This <`.
## 7. Notes and Comments
* **Notes:** Wrapped in double brackets: `[[This is a note]]`.
* **Boneyard:** Block comments wrapped in `/*` and `*/`.
* **Page Breaks:** A line with three or more equals signs `===` forces a page break.
## 8. Title Page
* Metadata is placed at the very top of the document.
* Format: `Key: Value`.
* Keys like `Title`, `Credit`, `Author`, `Source`, `Draft date`, `Contact`.
* Multiline values are supported by indenting subsequent lines.
## 9. Sections and Synopses
* **Sections:** Start with one or more `#` (e.g., `# Part 1`, `## Sequence A`). Used for navigation and organization.
* **Synopses:** Start with an equals sign (`=`) followed by text. Usually placed after a Scene Heading or Section.