@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.4.0 → 0.7.0

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/vscode-integration.md

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+# VS Code Integration for Screenplay Writing
+
+## Overview
+
+This guide covers integrating screenplay writing tools with Visual Studio Code for professional screenplay development.
+
+---
+
+## Better Fountain Extension
+
+### Installation
+
+1. Open VS Code
+2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X)
+3. Search for "Better Fountain"
+4. Install the extension by Piers Deseilligny
+
+### Features
+
+**Syntax Highlighting**
+- Automatic syntax highlighting for .fountain files
+- Color-coded scene headings, character names, dialogue, action
+- Parentheticals and transitions clearly marked
+
+**Live Preview**
+- Real-time PDF preview of screenplay
+- Side-by-side editing and preview
+- Automatic page count and timing
+
+**Auto-Completion**
+- Character name auto-completion
+- Scene heading suggestions
+- Transition shortcuts
+
+**Export Options**
+- Export to PDF (industry-standard formatting)
+- Export to HTML
+- Export to Final Draft (.fdx)
+
+### Configuration
+
+Add to your `.vscode/settings.json`:
+
+```json
+{
+  "fountain.general.previewTheme": "paper",
+  "fountain.general.previewTexture": true,
+  "fountain.pdf.emboldenSceneHeaders": true,
+  "fountain.pdf.showPageNumbers": true,
+  "fountain.pdf.splitDialog": true,
+  "fountain.pdf.printTitlePage": true,
+  "fountain.pdf.printProfile": "a4",
+  "fountain.general.parentheticalNewLine": false,
+  "fountain.general.numberSections": false,
+  "fountain.general.showPageNumbers": true
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Fountain Format Basics
+
+### Scene Headings
+
+```fountain
+INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
+
+EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
+
+INT./EXT. CAR - MOVING - DAY
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Must start with INT, EXT, or INT./EXT.
+- Followed by location
+- End with time of day
+- Blank line before and after
+
+### Character Names
+
+```fountain
+SARAH
+This is dialogue.
+
+MARCUS (O.S.)
+This is off-screen dialogue.
+
+NARRATOR (V.O.)
+This is voice-over.
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- All caps
+- Centered automatically
+- Extensions in parentheses: (O.S.), (V.O.), (CONT'D)
+
+### Dialogue
+
+```fountain
+SARAH
+I can't believe this is happening.
+
+MARCUS
+(concerned)
+Are you okay?
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Character name on its own line
+- Dialogue below character name
+- Parentheticals for direction/emotion
+
+### Action/Description
+
+```fountain
+Sarah walks to the window, staring out at the rain.
+
+The phone RINGS. She doesn't answer.
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Regular text (not all caps unless emphasizing)
+- Sound effects in ALL CAPS
+- Keep paragraphs short (3-4 lines max)
+
+### Transitions
+
+```fountain
+CUT TO:
+
+FADE OUT.
+
+DISSOLVE TO:
+```
+
+**Rules:**
+- Right-aligned (automatic in Fountain)
+- End with colon or period
+- Use sparingly
+
+---
+
+## Keyboard Shortcuts
+
+### Better Fountain Shortcuts
+
+- **Ctrl+Shift+P** (Cmd+Shift+P): Command palette
+  - "Fountain: Show Preview" - Open live preview
+  - "Fountain: Export PDF" - Export to PDF
+  - "Fountain: Statistics" - Show word count, page count, etc.
+
+### Custom Snippets
+
+Add to your user snippets (File > Preferences > User Snippets > fountain.json):
+
+```json
+{
+  "Scene Heading INT": {
+    "prefix": "int",
+    "body": [
+      "INT. ${1:LOCATION} - ${2:DAY}",
+      "",
+      "$0"
+    ]
+  },
+  "Scene Heading EXT": {
+    "prefix": "ext",
+    "body": [
+      "EXT. ${1:LOCATION} - ${2:DAY}",
+      "",
+      "$0"
+    ]
+  },
+  "Character Dialogue": {
+    "prefix": "char",
+    "body": [
+      "${1:CHARACTER}",
+      "${2:Dialogue}",
+      "",
+      "$0"
+    ]
+  }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Export Workflow
+
+### PDF Export
+
+1. Open .fountain file
+2. Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+P
+3. Type "Fountain: Export PDF"
+4. Choose location and filename
+5. PDF generated with industry-standard formatting
+
+### Final Draft Export
+
+1. Open .fountain file
+2. Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+P
+3. Type "Fountain: Export to Final Draft"
+4. .fdx file created
+5. Open in Final Draft for further editing
+
+---
+
+## Project Structure
+
+Recommended folder structure for screenplay projects:
+
+```
+my-screenplay/
+├── screenplay.fountain          # Main screenplay
+├── characters/
+│   ├── sarah-profile.yaml
+│   ├── marcus-profile.yaml
+│   └── elena-profile.yaml
+├── planning/
+│   ├── beat-sheet.yaml
+│   ├── plot-outline.yaml
+│   └── trope-inventory.yaml
+├── exports/
+│   ├── screenplay-draft-1.pdf
+│   └── screenplay-draft-2.pdf
+└── .vscode/
+    └── settings.json
+```
+
+---
+
+## Tips for VS Code Screenplay Writing
+
+**Use Multi-Cursor Editing**
+- Alt+Click to add cursors
+- Useful for formatting multiple character names
+
+**Use Find and Replace**
+- Ctrl+H (Cmd+H) for find/replace
+- Useful for character name changes
+
+**Use Outline View**
+- View > Outline
+- Shows scene structure
+- Quick navigation between scenes
+
+**Use Zen Mode**
+- View > Appearance > Zen Mode
+- Distraction-free writing
+- Toggle with Ctrl+K Z (Cmd+K Z)
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+**Preview not showing:**
+- Ensure Better Fountain extension is installed
+- Try reloading window (Ctrl+Shift+P > "Reload Window")
+
+**Export not working:**
+- Check file permissions
+- Ensure output directory exists
+- Try exporting to different location
+
+**Formatting issues:**
+- Check Fountain syntax
+- Ensure blank lines between elements
+- Verify scene headings start with INT/EXT
+
+---
+
+## Additional Resources
+
+- Better Fountain Documentation: https://github.com/piersdeseilligny/betterfountain
+- Fountain Syntax: https://fountain.io/syntax
+- VS Code Documentation: https://code.visualstudio.com/docs
+