Format screenplay text

Apply semantic screenplay paragraph types and write action, dialogue, and transitions that export cleanly.

Format by meaning, not appearance

Choose a paragraph type because of what the line does in the screenplay. Do not imitate screenplay layout with spaces, manual centering, or repeated blank lines. Semantic formatting survives editing, collaboration, and export.

• Scene heading establishes interior/exterior, place, and time.
• Action describes visible or audible events in present tense.
• Character identifies the speaker.
• Dialogue contains the spoken line.
• Parenthetical gives a brief playable qualification, not an essay.
• Transition describes a deliberate editorial transition when it is truly needed.

Write headings consistently

Use a stable location name when returning to the same place. Small spelling differences can produce confusing location records. If a location is intentionally distinct, make that distinction clear in the heading, such as WAREHOUSE - LOADING BAY versus WAREHOUSE - OFFICE.

Keep action filmable

Replace internal explanation with observable behavior. “Jon is ashamed of lying” cannot be photographed; “Jon folds the unopened letter into a square and hides it under his tongue” can. Short action blocks help readers see rhythm and help the AI reason about scene beats.

Use dialogue structure correctly

Enter a character cue before dialogue so Laper can associate the speech with the character. Use parentheticals sparingly and keep performance choices playable. If a speaker name includes a delivery modifier in an imported script, review the normalized character identity so the modifier does not become a duplicate person.

Choose the project format separately

Project format settings control Hollywood or Asian screenplay presentation. They are not a substitute for semantic paragraph types. Change format when the production convention changes, then review page breaks and export rather than manually reformatting every paragraph.