@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.4.0 → 0.5.0

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/fountain-format.md

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+# Fountain Format Specification
+
+## Overview
+
+Fountain is a plain text markup language for writing screenplays. It's designed to be human-readable while allowing conversion to industry-standard screenplay formats.
+
+---
+
+## Core Syntax
+
+### Title Page
+
+```fountain
+Title: The Weight We Carry
+Credit: Written by
+Author: Jane Doe
+Draft date: 01/31/2026
+Contact:
+    Jane Doe
+    jane@example.com
+    555-1234
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Must be at the top of the document
+- Key: Value format
+- Separated from screenplay by `===` or blank lines
+
+### Scene Headings
+
+```fountain
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+
+EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
+
+INT./EXT. CAR - MOVING - DAY
+```
+
+**Requirements:**
+- Start with: INT, EXT, INT./EXT, INT/EXT, I/E
+- Can include: LOCATION - TIME
+- Must have blank line before and after
+- Automatically formatted as scene headings
+
+**Force Scene Heading:**
+```fountain
+.FLASHBACK - 10 YEARS EARLIER
+```
+Use `.` prefix to force any line as scene heading.
+
+### Action/Description
+
+```fountain
+Sarah walks to the window, her reflection staring back at her.
+
+The phone RINGS. She ignores it.
+
+A beat. Then she picks it up.
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Regular text (not all caps)
+- Sound effects in ALL CAPS
+- Keep paragraphs short (3-4 lines)
+- Blank line between paragraphs
+
+**Centered Text:**
+```fountain
+> FADE IN: <
+```
+Use `>` and `<` to center text.
+
+### Character Names
+
+```fountain
+SARAH
+This is dialogue.
+
+MARCUS (O.S.)
+This is off-screen dialogue.
+
+NARRATOR (V.O.)
+This is voice-over.
+
+SARAH (CONT'D)
+Continuing dialogue after action.
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- All caps
+- On its own line
+- Extensions: (O.S.), (V.O.), (CONT'D), (SUBTITLE), etc.
+
+**Force Character:**
+```fountain
+@SARAH
+```
+Use `@` prefix to force character name (useful for lowercase names).
+
+### Dialogue
+
+```fountain
+SARAH
+I can't believe this is happening.
+
+MARCUS
+(concerned)
+Are you okay?
+
+SARAH
+(beat)
+I don't know.
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Follows character name
+- Parentheticals for direction/emotion
+- Keep natural and concise
+
+### Parentheticals
+
+```fountain
+SARAH
+(to Marcus)
+I need to tell you something.
+
+MARCUS
+(nervous)
+What is it?
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Wrapped in parentheses
+- Lowercase (except proper nouns)
+- Brief direction or emotion
+- On separate line or inline
+
+### Transitions
+
+```fountain
+CUT TO:
+
+FADE OUT.
+
+DISSOLVE TO:
+
+SMASH CUT TO:
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Right-aligned (automatic)
+- All caps
+- End with colon or period
+
+**Force Transition:**
+```fountain
+> FADE TO BLACK
+```
+Use `>` prefix to force transition.
+
+---
+
+## Advanced Formatting
+
+### Dual Dialogue
+
+```fountain
+SARAH ^
+This is happening at the same time.
+
+MARCUS ^
+As this dialogue.
+```
+
+Use `^` after character name for dual dialogue.
+
+### Lyrics
+
+```fountain
+~I'm singing in the rain
+~Just singing in the rain
+```
+
+Use `~` prefix for lyrics (italicized).
+
+### Notes
+
+```fountain
+[[This is a note that won't appear in the output]]
+```
+
+Use `[[ ]]` for notes to yourself.
+
+### Boneyard (Comments)
+
+```fountain
+/* This entire section is commented out
+and won't appear in the output
+
+SARAH
+This dialogue is hidden.
+*/
+```
+
+Use `/* */` for multi-line comments.
+
+### Emphasis
+
+```fountain
+*italic text*
+**bold text**
+***bold italic text***
+_underline_
+```
+
+### Page Breaks
+
+```fountain
+====
+```
+
+Use `====` to force a page break.
+
+### Sections and Synopses
+
+```fountain
+# Act 1
+
+## Scene 1
+
+= Sarah meets Marcus for the first time.
+
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+```
+
+- `#` for sections (outline structure)
+- `=` for synopses (scene summaries)
+
+---
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### Scene Headings
+
+**DO:**
+```fountain
+INT. SARAH'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
+
+EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
+
+INT./EXT. CAR - MOVING - DUSK
+```
+
+**DON'T:**
+```fountain
+int. sarah's apartment - night  (not all caps)
+INT SARAH'S APARTMENT NIGHT     (missing hyphens)
+SARAH'S APARTMENT               (missing INT/EXT)
+```
+
+### Character Names
+
+**DO:**
+```fountain
+SARAH
+MARCUS (O.S.)
+NARRATOR (V.O.)
+```
+
+**DON'T:**
+```fountain
+Sarah           (not all caps)
+SARAH(O.S.)     (no space before parenthesis)
+sarah (o.s.)    (not all caps)
+```
+
+### Dialogue
+
+**DO:**
+```fountain
+SARAH
+I can't do this anymore.
+
+MARCUS
+(gently)
+Yes, you can.
+```
+
+**DON'T:**
+```fountain
+SARAH
+I can't do this anymore. I'm done. I'm leaving. This is too much.
+(Long, unbroken dialogue - break into multiple lines or beats)
+```
+
+### Action Lines
+
+**DO:**
+```fountain
+Sarah walks to the window.
+
+She stares out at the rain.
+
+A beat.
+
+She turns back to Marcus.
+```
+
+**DON'T:**
+```fountain
+Sarah walks to the window and stares out at the rain for a long moment before turning back to Marcus with tears in her eyes.
+(Too long - break into shorter paragraphs)
+```
+
+---
+
+## Conversion Tools
+
+### Fountain to PDF
+- Better Fountain (VS Code)
+- Highland 2
+- Fade In
+- WriterSolo
+
+### Fountain to Final Draft
+- Better Fountain (VS Code)
+- Highland 2
+- Fountain.io online converter
+
+### Final Draft to Fountain
+- Highland 2
+- Fountain.io online converter
+
+---
+
+## Common Mistakes
+
+**Missing Blank Lines:**
+```fountain
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+Sarah enters.  ❌
+
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+
+Sarah enters.  ✅
+```
+
+**Incorrect Character Format:**
+```fountain
+Sarah:  ❌
+This is dialogue.
+
+SARAH  ✅
+This is dialogue.
+```
+
+**Action in All Caps:**
+```fountain
+SARAH WALKS TO THE WINDOW.  ❌
+
+Sarah walks to the window.  ✅
+```
+
+---
+
+## Resources
+
+- Official Fountain Syntax: https://fountain.io/syntax
+- Fountain Apps: https://fountain.io/apps
+- Better Fountain: https://github.com/piersdeseilligny/betterfountain
+- Fountain Samples: https://fountain.io/samples
+

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/independent-films.md

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+# Independent Films
+
+## Overview
+
+Independent films prioritize artistic vision, character depth, and authentic storytelling over commercial formulas. These films often explore complex themes, experimental structures, and intimate human experiences with creative freedom.
+
+## Defining Characteristics
+
+### Budget and Production
+**Typical Budget**: $100K - $20M
+- Limited resources require creativity
+- Smaller cast and crew
+- Fewer locations
+- Practical effects over CGI
+- Longer shooting schedules relative to budget
+- Festival circuit distribution
+
+### Artistic Freedom
+- Director/writer-driven vision
+- Unconventional narratives
+- Risk-taking and experimentation
+- Personal stories
+- Social commentary
+- Authentic voices
+
+## Narrative Approaches
+
+### Character-Driven Stories
+**Focus**:
+- Internal conflict over external action
+- Psychological depth
+- Relationship dynamics
+- Personal transformation
+- Subtle character arcs
+- Emotional authenticity
+
+**Structure**:
+- Character wants vs. needs
+- Internal obstacles
+- Quiet moments of revelation
+- Ambiguous resolutions
+- Slice-of-life realism
+
+### Experimental Structures
+**Non-Linear Narratives**:
+- Fractured timelines
+- Multiple perspectives
+- Stream of consciousness
+- Circular structures
+- Episodic vignettes
+
+**Examples**:
+- Memento (reverse chronology)
+- Pulp Fiction (non-linear chapters)
+- Eternal Sunshine (memory-based)
+- Moonlight (triptych structure)
+
+### Thematic Depth
+**Common Themes**:
+- Identity and self-discovery
+- Class and economic struggle
+- Family dysfunction
+- Alienation and isolation
+- Coming-of-age
+- Social justice
+- Existential questions
+- Cultural identity
+
+## Character Development
+
+### Complex Protagonists
+**Characteristics**:
+- Flawed and contradictory
+- Morally ambiguous
+- Psychologically realistic
+- Specific and detailed
+- Relatable struggles
+- Authentic voices
+
+**Avoid**:
+- Clear heroes/villains
+- Simple motivations
+- Stereotypical arcs
+- Convenient resolutions
+
+### Intimate Relationships
+**Focus**:
+- Nuanced dynamics
+- Authentic dialogue
+- Unspoken tensions
+- Complicated emotions
+- Real-world messiness
+- Subtle power shifts
+
+**Types**:
+- Family relationships
+- Romantic complications
+- Friendships
+- Mentor/student
+- Community connections
+
+## Dialogue and Voice
+
+### Naturalistic Dialogue
+**Characteristics**:
+- Overlapping speech
+- Incomplete thoughts
+- Pauses and silences
+- Regional authenticity
+- Class-specific language
+- Age-appropriate speech
+
+**Techniques**:
+- Subtext over exposition
+- What's not said
+- Awkward moments
+- Realistic rhythms
+- Cultural specificity
+
+### Authentic Voice
+**Guidelines**:
+- Draw from real experiences
+- Research communities authentically
+- Avoid Hollywood polish
+- Embrace imperfection
+- Regional and cultural accuracy
+- Personal perspective
+
+## Visual Storytelling
+
+### Intimate Cinematography
+**Approaches**:
+- Handheld camera work
+- Natural lighting
+- Close-ups and medium shots
+- Long takes
+- Observational style
+- Minimal camera movement
+
+**Purpose**:
+- Create intimacy
+- Emphasize realism
+- Focus on performance
+- Budget-conscious choices
+
+### Location as Character
+**Usage**:
+- Real locations over sets
+- Specific sense of place
+- Cultural context
+- Economic reality
+- Environmental influence
+- Authentic atmosphere
+
+### Visual Metaphor
+**Techniques**:
+- Symbolic imagery
+- Visual motifs
+- Color palette
+- Framing and composition
+- Environmental storytelling
+- Subtle visual themes
+
+## Pacing and Rhythm
+
+### Contemplative Pacing
+**Characteristics**:
+- Longer scenes
+- Breathing room
+- Silence and stillness
+- Observational moments
+- Emotional processing time
+- Unhurried storytelling
+
+**Purpose**:
+- Allow reflection
+- Build atmosphere
+- Develop character
+- Create realism
+- Emotional depth
+
+### Scene Length Flexibility
+**Approach**:
+- Scenes as long as needed
+- No arbitrary time limits
+- Follow emotional truth
+- Natural rhythms
+- Patience with moments
+
+## Budget-Conscious Writing
+
+### Limited Locations
+**Strategies**:
+- Single location films
+- Minimal location changes
+- Use available spaces
+- Creative reuse of locations
+- Intimate settings
+
+**Examples**:
+- One apartment
+- Small town
+- Single workplace
+- Family home
+- Neighborhood
+
+### Small Cast
+**Approach**:
+- Ensemble of 3-8 characters
+- Deep character development
+- Multiple roles for actors
+- Intimate dynamics
+- Character-focused scenes
+
+### Practical Effects
+**Guidelines**:
+- Avoid expensive VFX
+- Practical solutions
+- Suggest rather than show
+- Creative problem-solving
+- Off-screen action
+
+## Festival Appeal
+
+### Unique Voice
+**Elements**:
+- Distinctive perspective
+- Fresh approach
+- Authentic storytelling
+- Cultural specificity
+- Personal vision
+- Risk-taking
+
+### Awards Consideration
+**Focus Areas**:
+- Strong performances
+- Original screenplay
+- Directorial vision
+- Cinematography
+- Editing
+- Sound design
+
+### Marketability
+**Considerations**:
+- Clear logline
+- Compelling hook
+- Relatable themes
+- Strong characters
+- Emotional resonance
+- Critical appeal
+
+## Genre Variations
+
+### Indie Drama
+- Realistic conflicts
+- Emotional depth
+- Character transformation
+- Social issues
+- Authentic relationships
+
+### Indie Comedy
+- Quirky characters
+- Deadpan humor
+- Awkward situations
+- Observational comedy
+- Character-based humor
+
+### Indie Horror
+- Psychological terror
+- Atmosphere over gore
+- Limited locations
+- Practical effects
+- Metaphorical themes
+
+### Indie Romance
+- Unconventional relationships
+- Realistic complications
+- Authentic emotions
+- Ambiguous endings
+- Character-driven
+
+## Ending Approaches
+
+### Ambiguous Resolutions
+**Characteristics**:
+- Open-ended conclusions
+- Unresolved questions
+- Realistic outcomes
+- Bittersweet endings
+- Audience interpretation
+
+**Purpose**:
+- Reflect real life
+- Provoke thought
+- Avoid Hollywood formulas
+- Emotional authenticity
+- Artistic integrity
+
+### Earned Conclusions
+**Guidelines**:
+- Follow character logic
+- Avoid convenient solutions
+- Respect complexity
+- Emotional truth
+- Thematic resonance
+
+## Common Indie Themes
+
+### Social Commentary
+- Economic inequality
+- Racial justice
+- Gender issues
+- Immigration
+- Mental health
+- Environmental concerns
+
+### Personal Struggles
+- Addiction and recovery
+- Grief and loss
+- Identity crisis
+- Family trauma
+- Coming-of-age
+- Midlife transitions
+
+### Cultural Exploration
+- Immigrant experience
+- Cultural clash
+- Tradition vs. modernity
+- Community dynamics
+- Regional identity
+- Generational conflict
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### DO
+✅ Prioritize character over plot
+✅ Embrace authentic dialogue
+✅ Write for available resources
+✅ Take creative risks
+✅ Develop unique voice
+✅ Focus on emotional truth
+✅ Allow contemplative pacing
+✅ Create complex characters
+✅ Explore meaningful themes
+✅ Trust audience intelligence
+
+### DON'T
+❌ Imitate Hollywood formulas
+❌ Write expensive set pieces
+❌ Oversimplify characters
+❌ Rush emotional moments
+❌ Avoid difficult subjects
+❌ Sacrifice authenticity for marketability
+❌ Explain everything
+❌ Force happy endings
+❌ Ignore budget realities
+❌ Lose personal vision
+
+## Examples
+
+**Influential Independent Films**:
+- Moonlight
+- Lady Bird
+- Manchester by the Sea
+- The Florida Project
+- Eighth Grade
+- Whiplash
+- Boyhood
+- Winter's Bone
+- Beasts of the Southern Wild
+- The Farewell
+- Minari
+- Everything Everywhere All at Once
+