Fountain Syntax

EmberBoard uses Fountain syntax for screenplay formatting. Fountain is a simple, human-readable markup language for writing screenplays.

Why Fountain?

• Readable as plain text - No special software needed to read
• Simple rules - Easy to learn and remember
• Industry standard - Widely supported by screenwriting tools
• Markdown-like - Familiar if you know Markdown

Basic Elements

Scene Headings

Scene headings (also called "slug lines") describe the location and time.

Rules:

• Start with INT., EXT., INT./EXT., or I/E.
• Automatically formatted as uppercase, bold

Examples:

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

INT./EXT. CAR - CONTINUOUS

Forced Scene Heading:

.FLASHBACK

.MONTAGE

(Start with a period to force any line to be a scene heading)

Action (Description)

Action lines describe what we see on screen. They're regular paragraphs.

Examples:

The door creaks open. A SHADOW falls across the floor.

SARAH steps into the room, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.

Tips:

• Keep action concise and visual
• Write in present tense
• Avoid camera directions unless essential

Character Names

Character names appear before dialogue.

Rules:

• Write in ALL CAPS
• Must be followed by dialogue or parenthetical

Examples:

JOHN
Hello there.

SARAH (V.O.)
I remember it like yesterday.

OFFICER MARTINEZ
You have the right to remain silent.

Extensions:

• (V.O.) - Voice Over (character speaking off-screen)
• (O.S.) - Off Screen (character nearby but not visible)
• (CONT'D) - Continued (same character speaking after action)

Dialogue

Dialogue is the character's spoken lines.

Rules:

• Follows a character name
• Regular mixed case

Example:

JOHN
I can't believe you did that.
What were you thinking?

SARAH
I was thinking about us.
About our future.

Parentheticals

Parentheticals provide direction for how dialogue is delivered.

Rules:

• Wrapped in parentheses
• Placed between character name and dialogue, or within dialogue

Examples:

JOHN
(whispering)
Did you hear that?

SARAH
I don't know what—
(beat)
—what you mean.

Common Parentheticals:

• (beat) - A pause
• (sotto) - Under the breath
• (re: the photo) - Referring to something
• (into phone) - Speaking into a phone

Transitions

Transitions indicate how we move between scenes.

Rules:

• End with TO: (except FADE IN)
• Automatically right-aligned

Examples:

CUT TO:

DISSOLVE TO:

SMASH CUT TO:

FADE TO BLACK.

Forced Transition:

> FADE OUT.

(Start with > to force a transition)

Full Example

Here's a complete scene using Fountain:

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

A cozy neighborhood cafe. Morning light streams through
windows. JOHN (30s, disheveled) nurses a coffee at a
corner table.

The door CHIMES. SARAH (30s, put-together) enters, spots
John, and hesitates.

JOHN
(looking up)
You came.

SARAH
(sitting across from him)
You said it was important.

JOHN
I found something. Something that
changes everything.

He slides a PHOTOGRAPH across the table.

SARAH
(studying it)
Where did you get this?

JOHN
Does it matter?

Sarah looks up, her expression hardening.

SARAH
(quietly)
It matters to me.

CUT TO:

Tips for NodeBeat

One Beat, One Scene

Each beat node should typically contain one scene or story moment. This keeps your storyboard organized.

Short and Visual

Focus on the visual elements in your action descriptions. Remember, you'll have an image accompanying each beat.

Keep It Simple

You don't need every Fountain feature. Start with:

• Scene headings
• Action
• Character + Dialogue

Add parentheticals and transitions as needed.

Placeholder Text

While developing your story, you can use simple notes:

INT. MYSTERIOUS LOCATION - NIGHT

[Hero discovers the secret]
[Confrontation with villain]
[Resolution]

Then expand into full screenplay format later.

Reference

For the complete Fountain specification, visit: https://fountain.io/syntax

NodeBeat supports the core Fountain elements. Advanced features like title pages, notes, and sections may be added in future versions.