You can use ON SCREEN and BACK TO SCENE as ways to move from the scene to the screen. So for example: INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY Shirley watches the news. ON SCREEN An ANCHORWOMAN interviews an OLDER MAN. ANCHORWOMAN How long have you planned to wait out the storm? OLDER MAN We’ve got enough […]
Can I use “CUT TO:” when moving between scenes? Do I have to?
“CUT TO:” can be a useful transition when you need to be extra-clear we’re moving to a new place and/or time. However, with the presence of scene headers, it is by no means necessary, and in modern screenplays it is often not used at all. In [a 2003 blog post](http://johnaugust.com/2003/using-cut-to), John August names three situations […]
What is Highland?
[Highland](http://quoteunquoteapps.com/highland/) is a screenplay utility for Mac that seamlessly converts PDF screenplays into editable [Fountain](https://screenwriting.io/what-is-fountain/) or [Final Draft](https://screenwriting.io/what-is-final-draft/) files, and back again. (It’s also a text editor, so you can write your screenplay directly in Highland, too.) Highland is [available in the Mac App Store](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/highland/id499329572?mt=12). ### More from johnaugust.com * [What format should I send […]
How do I import a Fountain file into Final Draft?
If you have a Mac, the easiest way to convert [Fountain](https://screenwriting.io/what-is-fountain/) files into Final Draft files is to use [Highland](http://quoteunquoteapps.com/highland/). Highland is a screenplay utility for Mac that seamlessly converts Fountain files into [Final Draft](https://screenwriting.io/what-is-final-draft/) files or PDF scripts, and back again. (It’s also a text editor, so you can write your screenplay directly in […]
What format should my script be in when I send it out?
Generally, it’s best to send your scripts out as PDFs. PDFs are simple, not writeable or editable (unless you have [Highland](http://quoteunquoteapps.com/highland/)), and universally readable. With other formats, you run risks. For example, if you were to send your script out in FDX, it’s possible the recipient wouldn’t have Final Draft and wouldn’t be able to […]
How should you handle text messages (SMS) or instant messages (IMs) in screenplays?
There’s no standard rule for how one should format text messages or IMs in screenplays. As with all formatting advice, any way you handle it is okay as long as your intention is clear and you don’t confuse the reader. One simple way to handle text communication is to treat it like dialogue, but indicate […]