====== Screenplay Usage ======
<note important>The following reflects Screenplay's usage and syntax as of the latest version. Screenplay's syntax is subject to change until version ''1.0''.</note>

<note tip>A full Screenplay usage example can be found [[screenplay:example|here]].</note>

==== Setup ====
To use Screenplay's formatting enter Screenplay's start and end tags:
<code>
<screenplay>
</screenplay>
</code>

Screenplay supports various parameters that alter its output.

^       Parameter      ^                         Effect                          ^
|             ''plain''| turn off Screenplay's background and border             |
|       ''center-page''| center Screenplay's page                                |
|  ''center-character''| center character names over their dialog                |
|     ''force-courier''| use the Courier font by default instead of Courier New  |

Parameters are passed inside the opening tag as follows:
<code>
<screenplay center-page center-character plain force-courier>
</screenplay>
</code>
All syntax within Screenplay's tags should be flush to the left except for scene headers and character names.

==== Title Page ====
To produce a title page enter the title page information immediately after the opening tag and then place a series of at least 8 dashes at the end.

To enter an author, prefix their name with ''%%---%%''. To enter text which belongs on the bottom left, prefix it with ''%%<<%%'' and to enter text which belongs on the bottom right, prefix it with ''%%>>%%''. All other text is considered part of the title. The ''by'' line is entered automatically.

<code>
<screenplay>
For A Few More Days

--- April Rider

<<(c) 2008, April Rider
<<Registered WGAe

>>April Rider 
>>555 George St NNW 
>>Kaplan, ND 77777 
>>999-999-9999
-------------------------
</screenplay>
</code>

==== Act Headings ====
If you're writing a teleplay then enter an act heading as such:
<code>
<screenplay>
====== Act One ======
</screenplay>
</code>
The act heading is automatically capitalized and underlined. Any number of equal signs may be used to denote an act heading, the only require is that the number on either side be balanced.

==== Scene Headings ====
Scene headings are surrounded by square brackets.
<code>
<screenplay>
[ INT. DRISKILL HOTEL SEMINAR ROOM - DAY ]
</screenplay>
</code>

==== Transitions ====
Transitions come in two forms: left-aligned and right-aligned. To enter a left-aligned transition precede it with ''%%<<%%'' and to enter a right-aligned transition precede it with ''%%>>%%''. Transitions are automatically capitalized.
<code>
<screenplay>
<<Fade In:
>>Fade Out.
</screenplay>
</code>

==== Dialogue ====
Dialogue has multiple components. To enter a character name precede it with at least two spaces. Parentheticals are entered by simply wrapping the text in parentheses. Actual dialogue is any plain text which directly follows a character name or parenthetical. Separate dialogue and other text with a blank line.

<code>
<screenplay>
    JOE 
(looking about the room)
We are?

    APRIL
Don't be a moron. You know we've been invited to Austin to discuss script format.
</screenplay>
</code>

Screenplay also supports dual (side-by-side) dialogue, which is used when two characters speak simultaneously. To enter dual dialogue, simply remove the blank line between sequential dialogue. The first and second characters will appear on the left and right respectively.

<code>
<screenplay>
    JOE
What are you doing?
    APRIL
I'm not doing anything!
</screenplay>
</code>

==== Action ====
Action text is any other text.

<code>
<screenplay>
JOE and APRIL burst through the doors into a clean, well-lit seminar room.
</screenplay>
</code>