@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.7.0 → 1.2.0

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

@@ -1,339 +1,339 @@
-# 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/)
-
+# 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/)
+