@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.2.0 → 0.5.0

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/tv-series.md

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+# TV Series
+
+## Overview
+
+Television series require balancing episodic storytelling with long-form narrative arcs, maintaining character consistency across episodes and seasons while delivering satisfying individual installments.
+
+## Series Structure
+
+### Episode Types
+**Procedural**:
+- Self-contained episodes
+- Case-of-the-week format
+- Minimal serialization
+- Easy entry point for new viewers
+- Examples: Law & Order, CSI
+
+**Serialized**:
+- Continuous storyline
+- Episode cliffhangers
+- Character arc development
+- Requires sequential viewing
+- Examples: Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones
+
+**Hybrid**:
+- Episodic A-plot (case/problem)
+- Serialized B-plot (character arcs)
+- Balance accessibility and depth
+- Examples: Buffy, The X-Files
+
+### Season Structure
+**Traditional Network** (22-24 episodes):
+- Premiere (establish season arc)
+- Early episodes (character development)
+- Mid-season finale (major cliffhanger)
+- Mid-season premiere (resolution/new direction)
+- Build to finale
+- Season finale (major resolution + setup)
+
+**Cable/Streaming** (8-13 episodes):
+- Tighter narrative arc
+- Less filler
+- Each episode advances main plot
+- Season as extended film
+
+## Episode Structure
+
+### One-Hour Drama (42-44 minutes)
+**Act Structure**:
+
+**Teaser** (2-4 pages):
+- Hook/cold open
+- Establish episode conflict
+- Cliffhanger into main titles
+
+**Act 1** (10-12 pages):
+- Develop episode problem
+- Character reactions
+- Complications arise
+- End on complication
+
+**Act 2** (10-12 pages):
+- Escalate conflict
+- Midpoint twist
+- Character decisions
+- End on major setback
+
+**Act 3** (10-12 pages):
+- Lowest point
+- New approach
+- Building to climax
+- End on cliffhanger
+
+**Act 4** (10-12 pages):
+- Climactic confrontation
+- Resolution of episode plot
+- Advance season arc
+- Setup next episode
+
+**Tag** (1-2 pages):
+- Denouement
+- Character moment
+- Tease future episode
+- Emotional button
+
+### Half-Hour Comedy (22 minutes)
+**Structure**:
+
+**Cold Open** (2-3 pages):
+- Standalone joke/scene
+- Establish episode theme
+- Character moment
+
+**Act 1** (8-10 pages):
+- Introduce episode problem
+- A-plot and B-plot setup
+- Complications
+- End on escalation
+
+**Act 2** (8-10 pages):
+- Problems worsen
+- Character attempts solutions
+- Climax and resolution
+- Emotional or comedic payoff
+
+**Tag** (1-2 pages):
+- Final joke
+- Character button
+- Running gag payoff
+
+## Plot Structure
+
+### A/B/C Plot System
+**A-Plot** (Main Story):
+- 50-60% of episode
+- Primary conflict
+- Drives episode forward
+- Major character focus
+- Significant stakes
+
+**B-Plot** (Subplot):
+- 25-35% of episode
+- Secondary characters
+- Thematic connection to A-plot
+- Character development
+- Lighter or contrasting tone
+
+**C-Plot** (Runner):
+- 10-15% of episode
+- Comic relief or character moment
+- Minimal screen time
+- Quick scenes throughout
+- Payoff at end
+
+### Serialized Arc Integration
+**Episode Level**:
+- Advance season arc incrementally
+- Plant seeds for future episodes
+- Callback to previous episodes
+- Balance standalone and serialized elements
+
+**Season Level**:
+- Establish season goal/threat (premiere)
+- Develop complications (early episodes)
+- Major revelation (mid-season)
+- Escalate stakes (late season)
+- Climactic resolution (finale)
+
+## Character Development
+
+### Series Regulars
+**Consistency**:
+- Maintain core personality
+- Evolve gradually
+- Respect character history
+- Avoid regression without reason
+- Track character growth across seasons
+
+**Ensemble Balance**:
+- Rotate character focus
+- Give each regular spotlight episodes
+- Develop relationships
+- Create character pairings
+- Explore different dynamics
+
+### Character Arcs
+**Season Arc**:
+- Clear beginning state
+- Incremental development
+- Major turning points
+- Season finale transformation
+- Setup for next season
+
+**Series Arc**:
+- Long-term character journey
+- Multi-season development
+- Consistent through-line
+- Satisfying series conclusion
+
+## Episodic Elements
+
+### Cold Opens
+**Purpose**:
+- Hook viewers immediately
+- Establish tone
+- Introduce episode conflict
+- Standalone comedy beat
+- Cliffhanger resolution
+
+**Types**:
+- Action sequence
+- Mystery setup
+- Character moment
+- Comedy sketch
+- Previous episode continuation
+
+### Cliffhangers
+**Episode Cliffhangers**:
+- Unresolved conflict
+- Shocking revelation
+- Character in danger
+- Relationship crisis
+- Mystery deepens
+
+**Season Cliffhangers**:
+- Major character death/departure
+- Relationship game-changer
+- Villain victory
+- World-altering event
+- "To be continued..."
+
+### Tags/Stingers
+**Purpose**:
+- Final character moment
+- Running gag payoff
+- Emotional button
+- Setup for next episode
+- Post-credits surprise
+
+## Dialogue and Voice
+
+### Consistent Character Voice
+**Maintain**:
+- Speech patterns
+- Catchphrases
+- Vocabulary
+- Humor style
+- Emotional expression
+
+**Evolve**:
+- Reflect character growth
+- Respond to events
+- Deepen relationships
+- Mature over time
+
+### Series-Specific Language
+**Develop**:
+- Show-specific terminology
+- Running jokes
+- Callback references
+- Character catchphrases
+- World-building language
+
+## Pacing Considerations
+
+### Episode Pacing
+**Balance**:
+- Action and character moments
+- Humor and drama
+- Plot advancement and development
+- Fast and slow scenes
+- Tension and release
+
+### Season Pacing
+**Structure**:
+- Strong premiere
+- Build momentum (episodes 2-4)
+- Mid-season climax
+- Sustain interest (back half)
+- Accelerate to finale
+
+## Continuity and Callbacks
+
+### Continuity Tracking
+**Maintain**:
+- Character relationships
+- Plot developments
+- World rules
+- Timeline accuracy
+- Character knowledge
+
+### Callbacks
+**Usage**:
+- Reward long-time viewers
+- Create depth
+- Running jokes
+- Character history
+- Thematic echoes
+
+**Balance**:
+- Don't alienate new viewers
+- Make callbacks enhance, not confuse
+- Provide context when needed
+
+## Genre-Specific Guidelines
+
+### Drama
+- Character-driven conflicts
+- Emotional depth
+- Serialized arcs
+- Complex relationships
+- Thematic exploration
+
+### Comedy
+- Joke density (3-4 per page)
+- Character-based humor
+- Running gags
+- Ensemble dynamics
+- Comedic escalation
+
+### Procedural
+- Case structure
+- Investigation process
+- Red herrings
+- Revelation and resolution
+- Character moments within case
+
+### Sci-Fi/Fantasy
+- World-building consistency
+- Mythology development
+- Special effects considerations
+- Concept-driven episodes
+- Long-term planning
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### DO
+✅ Plan season arc before writing episodes
+✅ Balance episodic and serialized elements
+✅ Maintain character consistency
+✅ Track continuity carefully
+✅ Give each regular character focus
+✅ Use A/B/C plot structure
+✅ End acts on cliffhangers
+✅ Reward long-time viewers
+✅ Make each episode satisfying
+✅ Build to strong season finale
+
+### DON'T
+❌ Forget previous episode events
+❌ Change character personality arbitrarily
+❌ Neglect supporting characters
+❌ Make every episode a cliffhanger
+❌ Ignore established world rules
+❌ Rush character development
+❌ Overload with plot
+❌ Sacrifice episode quality for arc
+❌ Confuse new viewers unnecessarily
+❌ Leave too many threads unresolved
+
+## Format-Specific Considerations
+
+### Network Television
+- Commercial breaks (act structure)
+- Broadcast standards (language, content)
+- Broader audience appeal
+- Longer seasons
+- Syndication potential
+
+### Cable
+- More creative freedom
+- Mature content allowed
+- Shorter seasons
+- Niche audiences
+- Prestige storytelling
+
+### Streaming
+- No commercial breaks
+- Binge-watching consideration
+- Variable episode length
+- Global audience
+- All episodes released together
+
+## Examples
+
+**Successful TV Series**:
+- Breaking Bad (serialized drama)
+- The Office (comedy)
+- The Wire (serialized ensemble)
+- Stranger Things (streaming sci-fi)
+- Better Call Saul (character drama)
+- Atlanta (experimental comedy-drama)
+- Succession (prestige drama)
+- Ted Lasso (feel-good comedy)
+

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/universal-formatting.md

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+# Universal Formatting Standards
+
+## Overview
+
+This document defines the universal formatting standards for screenplays based on AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) Nicholl Fellowship requirements and industry best practices.
+
+## Font and Typography
+
+### Required Font
+
+- **Font Family**: Courier or Courier New
+- **Font Size**: 12-point
+- **Character Spacing**: Monospaced (fixed-width)
+- **Line Spacing**: Single-spaced with double-spacing between elements
+
+**Rationale**: Courier's fixed-width characters ensure consistent page-to-screen-time ratio (~1 page = 1 minute).
+
+### DO
+
+```fountain
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+
+SARAH enters, scanning the room.
+```
+
+### DON'T
+
+```
+INT. Coffee Shop - Day  ❌ (Wrong case)
+
+Sarah enters, scanning the room.  ❌ (Wrong font: Arial, Times New Roman)
+```
+
+## Page Margins
+
+### Standard Margins
+
+- **Top**: 1 inch
+- **Bottom**: 0.5 to 1 inch
+- **Left**: 1.5 inches
+- **Right**: 1 inch
+
+### Element-Specific Indentation
+
+- **Scene Headings**: 1.5 inches from left edge
+- **Action**: 1.5 inches from left edge
+- **Character Name**: 3.7 inches from left edge (centered)
+- **Dialogue**: 2.5 inches from left edge
+- **Parentheticals**: 3.1 inches from left edge
+- **Transitions**: 6 inches from left edge (right-aligned)
+
+## Scene Headings (Slug Lines)
+
+### Format
+
+```
+INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIME OF DAY
+```
+
+### Components
+
+1. **INT./EXT.**: Interior or Exterior
+2. **LOCATION**: Specific place (ALL CAPS)
+3. **TIME OF DAY**: DAY, NIGHT, MORNING, EVENING, CONTINUOUS, LATER
+
+### Examples
+
+```fountain
+INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
+
+EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
+
+INT./EXT. CAR (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
+```
+
+### DO
+
+- Use ALL CAPS for entire slug line
+- Be specific with locations
+- Use standard time indicators
+
+### DON'T
+
+- Mix case: `Int. Apartment - Night` ❌
+- Be vague: `INT. SOMEWHERE - SOMETIME` ❌
+- Omit time: `INT. APARTMENT` ❌
+
+## Action Lines (Description)
+
+### Guidelines
+
+- **Tense**: Present tense
+- **Voice**: Active voice
+- **Length**: 3-4 lines maximum per paragraph
+- **Focus**: Visual and auditory elements only
+- **Character Introductions**: ALL CAPS on first appearance
+
+### Examples
+
+```fountain
+SARAH, 30s, professional but tired, enters carrying a briefcase.
+
+She sets it down. Looks around. Something's wrong.
+
+A SHADOW moves across the wall.
+```
+
+### DO
+
+- Write what we SEE and HEAR
+- Use short, punchy paragraphs
+- Introduce characters in ALL CAPS
+- Use present tense: "She walks" not "She walked"
+
+### DON'T
+
+- Describe thoughts: "She thinks about her mother" ❌
+- Write camera directions: "CLOSE-UP on her face" ❌
+- Use passive voice: "The door is opened by her" ❌
+- Write long paragraphs (more than 4 lines) ❌
+
+## Dialogue
+
+### Format
+
+```fountain
+CHARACTER NAME
+Dialogue text here.
+```
+
+### With Parenthetical
+
+```fountain
+CHARACTER NAME
+(whispering)
+Dialogue text here.
+```
+
+### With Extension
+
+```fountain
+CHARACTER NAME (V.O.)
+Dialogue text here.
+
+CHARACTER NAME (O.S.)
+Dialogue text here.
+```
+
+### Extensions
+
+- **(V.O.)**: Voice-over (narration, internal thoughts)
+- **(O.S.)**: Off-screen (character not visible but in scene)
+- **(CONT'D)**: Continued (same character continues after action)
+- **(PRE-LAP)**: Dialogue starts before scene transition
+- **(SUBTITLE)**: Foreign language with subtitles
+
+### DO
+
+```fountain
+SARAH
+I can't believe you did this.
+
+JOHN
+(defensive)
+I had no choice.
+
+SARAH (CONT'D)
+There's always a choice.
+```
+
+### DON'T
+
+```fountain
+Sarah  ❌ (Not ALL CAPS)
+I can't believe you did this.
+
+JOHN
+(He's defensive)  ❌ (Parenthetical should be action, not description)
+I had no choice.
+```
+
+## Transitions
+
+### Standard Transitions
+
+- **FADE IN:** (opening)
+- **FADE OUT.** (ending)
+- **CUT TO:**
+- **DISSOLVE TO:**
+- **MATCH CUT TO:**
+- **SMASH CUT TO:**
+
+### Format
+
+```fountain
+FADE IN:
+
+INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
+
+Action here.
+
+CUT TO:
+
+EXT. STREET - DAY
+
+More action.
+
+FADE OUT.
+```
+
+### DO
+
+- Use sparingly (only when necessary)
+- Right-align (except FADE IN:)
+- Follow with colon
+
+### DON'T
+
+- Overuse: Most cuts are implied ❌
+- Use camera directions: "ZOOM IN:" ❌
+- Mix case: "Cut To:" ❌
+
+## Page Numbering
+
+- **First Page**: No page number
+- **Subsequent Pages**: Top right corner, 0.5 inches from top
+- **Format**: Page number followed by period (e.g., "2.")
+
+## Title Page
+
+### Format
+
+```
+TITLE
+by
+Author Name
+
+Contact Information
+Address
+Phone
+Email
+```
+
+### DO
+
+- Center all text
+- Use title case for title
+- Include contact info bottom left
+
+### DON'T
+
+- Add graphics or logos ❌
+- Use fancy fonts ❌
+- Include copyright notices ❌
+
+## Page-to-Screen-Time Ratio
+
+**Standard**: 1 page = 1 minute of screen time
+
+### Typical Lengths
+
+- **Feature Film**: 90-120 pages
+- **TV Drama (1 hour)**: 50-60 pages
+- **TV Comedy (30 min)**: 22-25 pages
+- **Short Film**: 5-30 pages
+
+## Fountain Markup
+
+### Basic Syntax
+
+```fountain
+# Scene Heading
+INT. LOCATION - DAY
+
+# Action
+Character does something.
+
+# Dialogue
+CHARACTER
+Dialogue here.
+
+# Transition
+> FADE OUT.
+```
+
+### Character Introduction
+
+```fountain
+SARAH, 30s, enters.  # First appearance in ALL CAPS
+```
+
+### Emphasis
+
+```fountain
+*italic*
+**bold**
+***bold italic***
+_underline_
+```
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. **Consistency**: Use same formatting throughout
+2. **Clarity**: Write visually, not literarily
+3. **Economy**: Every word counts
+4. **Readability**: White space is your friend
+5. **Industry Standard**: Follow AMPAS guidelines
+
+## Common Mistakes
+
+❌ Camera directions (CLOSE-UP, PAN TO, ZOOM IN)  
+❌ Editing notes (MONTAGE, INTERCUT)  
+❌ Music cues (unless diegetic)  
+❌ Thoughts and feelings (unless shown visually)  
+❌ Passive voice  
+❌ Past tense  
+❌ Long action paragraphs (>4 lines)  
+
+## Validation Checklist
+
+- [ ] 12-point Courier font
+- [ ] Correct margins (1.5" left, 1" top/bottom/right)
+- [ ] Scene headings in ALL CAPS
+- [ ] Action in present tense
+- [ ] Character names in ALL CAPS (dialogue)
+- [ ] Dialogue properly indented
+- [ ] Transitions right-aligned
+- [ ] Page numbers top right (except page 1)
+- [ ] ~1 page per minute ratio
+- [ ] No camera directions
+- [ ] No editing notes
+- [ ] White space for readability
+
+## References
+
+- [AMPAS Nicholl Fellowship Requirements](https://www.oscars.org/nicholl/requirements)
+- [Fountain Specification](https://fountain.io/)
+- [Final Draft Formatting Guide](https://www.finaldraft.com/)
+