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Fountain Markup
Fount is built on the Fountain screenplay format — an open, plain-text markup language for screenwriting. Every .fountain file is just text. Here is the complete syntax reference as implemented in Fount.
Scene headings begin with INT., EXT., EST., INT/EXT., I/E., E/I., or their dotless variants (INT , EXT ):
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
EXT. CITY STREETS - NIGHT
If your scene heading doesn't start with a recognized prefix, force it with a leading period:
.BEETLE'S DREAM SEQUENCE
The period is hidden when the cursor is elsewhere.
Add scene numbers with #tags# at the end:
INT. THE VAULT - NIGHT #15#
Scene numbers are recognized by the scene tree and can be auto-generated with /renum.
Any paragraph that isn't recognized as another element is treated as Action:
The door bursts open. Smoke fills the room.
To force text that might be mistaken for something else, prefix with !:
!BEETLE runs to the car.
Double exclamation marks denote a shot:
!!CLOSE UP - BEETLE'S FACE
A character name is an all-uppercase line preceded by an empty line:
BEETLE
I think we should leave.
If a character name contains lowercase or isn't detected, use @:
@McCOY
You can't be serious.
Wrapped in parentheses, immediately after a character name or between dialogue lines:
BEETLE
(whispering)
Follow me.
Add ^ at the end of the second character's name:
BEETLE
I think I'm winning.
BEE ^
I think you're dreaming.
This renders both characters side-by-side.
Lines ending with TO: in all-caps are auto-detected as transitions:
CUT TO:
Or force a transition with >:
> FADE OUT.
Wrap text with > and <:
> THE END <
Fountain supports standard emphasis markers:
| Syntax | Renders as |
|---|---|
*italic* |
italic |
**bold** |
bold |
***bold italic*** |
bold italic |
_underline_ |
underline |
Sections provide structural organization (like chapters or acts). They are not printed in the final script:
# ACT ONE
## SEQUENCE A
### SCENE GROUP
Fount uses sections in the Scene Tree (Ctrl+T) to organize your screenplay's outline.
A line beginning with = is a synopsis. It appears in the Scene Tree as a description under each scene but is not printed in exports:
= Beetle discovers the secret entrance.
Fount extends standard Fountain notes with Structured Metadata. Wrap a key: value pair in double brackets to track production assets. These are hidden from screenplay exports but fully tracked by X‐Ray Mode and Production Tools.
| Category | Syntax Example | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Casting | [[cast: Edward, Will]] |
Tracking talent present in scene. |
| Props | [[props: Wedding Ring]] |
Physical objects required for the scene. |
| Visual FX | [[vfx: CGI Fish]] |
Post-production and digital effects. |
| Special FX | [[sfx: Smoke, Rain]] |
Practical effects and sound cues. |
| Wardrobe | [[wardrobe: Tuxedo]] |
Costume and continuity tracking. |
| Makeup | [[makeup: Scar]] |
Special makeup or prosthetics. |
| Music | [[music: Accordion]] |
Musical cues and score notes. |
| Workflow | [[tags: Revised]] |
Custom categorization and state. |
Use the special sceneclr key to explicitly tint scene headings in the Scene Tree and Index Cards:
[[sceneclr: red]]
[[sceneclr: blue]]
[[sceneclr: #ff5500]]
Generic inline notes (without a key:) are still supported for general comments:
[[Remember to add the stunt choreography here]]
Large blocks of text wrapped in /* ... */ are completely ignored:
/*
This deleted scene is preserved here
for reference but won't appear anywhere.
*/
Lines starting with ~ are lyrics:
~Wishing only wounds the heart.
A line containing only === forces a page break:
===
Metadata at the very top of your file defines the title page:
Title: MY SCREENPLAY
Credit: Written by
Author: Beetle Bot
Draft date: April 2026
Contact:
writingnirmal@gmail.com
Fount supports: Title, Credit, Author, Source, Draft date, Contact, and Notes. Use /addtitle to insert a template.
Next: Keyboard Shortcuts — Every key combination in the app.
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