@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.4.0 → 0.5.0

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

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+# Screenplay Formatting Validation
+
+## Overview
+
+This guide provides comprehensive validation rules for screenplay formatting against AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) standards.
+
+---
+
+## AMPAS Formatting Standards
+
+### Page Setup
+
+**Paper Size:** US Letter (8.5" x 11")
+
+**Margins:**
+- Top: 1.0"
+- Bottom: 0.5" - 1.0"
+- Left: 1.5"
+- Right: 1.0"
+
+**Font:**
+- Courier or Courier New
+- 12 point
+- Fixed-width (monospace)
+
+**Line Spacing:**
+- Single-spaced within elements
+- Double-spaced between elements
+
+---
+
+## Element Formatting
+
+### Scene Headings
+
+**Format:**
+```
+INT. LOCATION - TIME
+```
+
+**Specifications:**
+- Left margin: 1.5"
+- All caps
+- Blank line before and after
+- Must start with: INT, EXT, INT./EXT, I/E
+
+**Examples:**
+```fountain
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+
+EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
+
+INT./EXT. CAR - MOVING - DUSK
+```
+
+**Validation:**
+- [ ] Starts with INT, EXT, or variant
+- [ ] All caps
+- [ ] Includes location
+- [ ] Includes time of day
+- [ ] Blank line before
+- [ ] Blank line after
+
+### Action/Description
+
+**Specifications:**
+- Left margin: 1.5"
+- Right margin: 1.0"
+- Width: 6.0"
+- Mixed case (except sound effects)
+- Blank line before and after
+
+**Examples:**
+```fountain
+Sarah walks to the window.
+
+The phone RINGS.
+
+She doesn't answer.
+```
+
+**Validation:**
+- [ ] Left-aligned
+- [ ] Proper margins
+- [ ] Sound effects in caps
+- [ ] Paragraphs 3-4 lines max
+- [ ] Blank line between paragraphs
+
+### Character Names
+
+**Specifications:**
+- Left margin: 3.7"
+- All caps
+- Extensions in parentheses
+- Blank line before (from action)
+
+**Examples:**
+```fountain
+SARAH
+
+MARCUS (O.S.)
+
+NARRATOR (V.O.)
+
+SARAH (CONT'D)
+```
+
+**Validation:**
+- [ ] All caps
+- [ ] Proper indentation (3.7")
+- [ ] Extensions formatted correctly
+- [ ] Consistent throughout screenplay
+
+### Dialogue
+
+**Specifications:**
+- Left margin: 2.5"
+- Right margin: 2.5"
+- Width: 3.5"
+- Mixed case
+- No blank line after character name
+
+**Examples:**
+```fountain
+SARAH
+I can't believe this is happening.
+```
+
+**Validation:**
+- [ ] Proper margins (2.5" left, 2.5" right)
+- [ ] Follows character name immediately
+- [ ] Natural language
+- [ ] Appropriate length
+
+### Parentheticals
+
+**Specifications:**
+- Left margin: 3.1"
+- Right margin: 3.5"
+- Wrapped in parentheses
+- Lowercase (except proper nouns)
+
+**Examples:**
+```fountain
+SARAH
+(to Marcus)
+I need to tell you something.
+
+MARCUS
+(nervous)
+What is it?
+```
+
+**Validation:**
+- [ ] Proper indentation (3.1")
+- [ ] Wrapped in parentheses
+- [ ] Lowercase
+- [ ] Brief (2-3 words ideal)
+
+### Transitions
+
+**Specifications:**
+- Right-aligned (6.0" from left)
+- All caps
+- End with colon or period
+- Blank line before and after
+
+**Examples:**
+```fountain
+CUT TO:
+
+FADE OUT.
+
+DISSOLVE TO:
+```
+
+**Validation:**
+- [ ] Right-aligned
+- [ ] All caps
+- [ ] Proper punctuation
+- [ ] Used sparingly
+
+---
+
+## Page Count Standards
+
+### Feature Films
+
+**Target:** 90-120 pages
+- 90-100 pages: Tight, fast-paced
+- 100-110 pages: Standard
+- 110-120 pages: Epic, complex
+
+**Rule of Thumb:** 1 page = 1 minute screen time
+
+### Television
+
+**One-Hour Drama:** 50-60 pages
+- Network: 50-55 pages (with commercials)
+- Cable/Streaming: 55-60 pages
+
+**Half-Hour Comedy:** 25-35 pages
+- Network: 25-30 pages (with commercials)
+- Cable/Streaming: 30-35 pages
+
+**Half-Hour Drama:** 30-40 pages
+
+---
+
+## Title Page Format
+
+**Required Elements:**
+```
+                    TITLE
+                (all caps, centered)
+
+
+              Written by
+           (centered, lowercase)
+
+
+               Author Name
+              (centered, mixed case)
+
+
+                                        Contact Info
+                                        (bottom right)
+                                        
+                                        Draft Date
+                                        (bottom right)
+```
+
+**Validation:**
+- [ ] Title centered and in caps
+- [ ] "Written by" centered
+- [ ] Author name centered
+- [ ] Contact info bottom right
+- [ ] Draft date included
+
+---
+
+## Common Formatting Errors
+
+### Scene Headings
+
+**❌ Incorrect:**
+```
+int. coffee shop - day          (not all caps)
+INT COFFEE SHOP DAY             (missing hyphens)
+COFFEE SHOP - DAY               (missing INT/EXT)
+INT. COFFEE SHOP                (missing time)
+```
+
+**✅ Correct:**
+```
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+```
+
+### Character Names
+
+**❌ Incorrect:**
+```
+Sarah                           (not all caps)
+SARAH(O.S.)                     (no space)
+sarah (o.s.)                    (not all caps)
+```
+
+**✅ Correct:**
+```
+SARAH
+SARAH (O.S.)
+```
+
+### Dialogue
+
+**❌ Incorrect:**
+```
+SARAH: I can't do this.         (colon after name)
+
+SARAH
+    I can't do this.            (indented)
+```
+
+**✅ Correct:**
+```
+SARAH
+I can't do this.
+```
+
+### Action
+
+**❌ Incorrect:**
+```
+SARAH WALKS TO THE WINDOW.      (all caps)
+
+Sarah walks to the window and stares out at the rain for a long moment 
+before turning back to Marcus with tears streaming down her face as she 
+contemplates what to say next.  (too long)
+```
+
+**✅ Correct:**
+```
+Sarah walks to the window.
+
+She stares out at the rain.
+
+A beat.
+
+She turns back to Marcus, tears in her eyes.
+```
+
+---
+
+## Validation Checklist
+
+### Overall Format
+
+- [ ] Courier 12pt font
+- [ ] Proper margins (1.5" left, 1" right/top/bottom)
+- [ ] US Letter paper size
+- [ ] Single-spaced within elements
+- [ ] Double-spaced between elements
+
+### Scene Headings
+
+- [ ] All caps
+- [ ] Start with INT/EXT
+- [ ] Include location and time
+- [ ] Blank lines before and after
+
+### Characters and Dialogue
+
+- [ ] Character names all caps
+- [ ] Proper indentation
+- [ ] Natural dialogue
+- [ ] Parentheticals formatted correctly
+
+### Action
+
+- [ ] Mixed case (except sound effects)
+- [ ] Short paragraphs (3-4 lines)
+- [ ] Visual and specific
+- [ ] No camera directions (unless appropriate)
+
+### Page Count
+
+- [ ] Appropriate for format
+- [ ] Approximately 1 page = 1 minute
+
+### Title Page
+
+- [ ] Properly formatted
+- [ ] All required information
+- [ ] Professional appearance
+
+---
+
+## Automated Validation Tools
+
+**Better Fountain (VS Code):**
+- Real-time syntax checking
+- Format validation
+- Page count tracking
+
+**Highland 2:**
+- Industry-standard formatting
+- Automatic validation
+- Export to multiple formats
+
+**Fade In:**
+- Professional formatting
+- Validation against industry standards
+- Collaboration features
+
+---
+
+## Manual Validation Process
+
+1. **Visual Inspection:**
+   - Check overall appearance
+   - Verify consistent formatting
+   - Look for obvious errors
+
+2. **Element-by-Element Review:**
+   - Scene headings
+   - Character names
+   - Dialogue
+   - Action
+   - Transitions
+
+3. **Page Count Check:**
+   - Verify appropriate length
+   - Check pacing (1 page = 1 minute)
+
+4. **Read-Through:**
+   - Read entire screenplay
+   - Note formatting inconsistencies
+   - Mark areas for revision
+
+5. **Final Validation:**
+   - Run automated tools
+   - Manual checklist review
+   - Professional appearance check
+
+---
+
+## Resources
+
+- AMPAS Screenplay Format Guide
+- The Hollywood Standard by Christopher Riley
+- Better Fountain Documentation
+- Industry Standard Examples
+