Write a screenplay
How lines format themselves, the keys and shortcuts for each line type, text styles, the Scenes pane, and naming.
Type, and each line formats itself. Use Tab, the toolbar or a shortcut when a line needs a different type. The highlighted toolbar button shows the current line's type.
Formatting as you type
- INT., EXT., EST. or I/E at the start of a line makes a scene heading, shown in capitals (what these mean)
- A name in capitals, then Enter, makes a character name; the next line is dialogue
- ( on an empty character or dialogue line starts a parenthetical; the closing bracket is added
- A line in capitals ending in TO:, such as CUT TO:, makes a transition
- Backspace straight after a line formats itself undoes it
- A type you set yourself is never changed automatically
Capitals ending in ! or :, and endings such as FADE OUT and THE END, don't become character names.
Paste a script
Paste several lines in Fountain, the plain-text screenplay format, and each line takes its type. A single pasted line stays as typed. For a whole file, see Import and export.
Keys
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Enter | Starts the type that usually follows: action after a heading, dialogue after a character, action after dialogue, a heading after a transition |
| Enter on an empty line | Changes that line's type |
| Shift+Enter | A new line of the same type |
| Tab, Shift+Tab | Cycle through the seven types |
| F6 | Move between the script and the 'Scenes' pane |
Line type shortcuts
| Line type | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Scene heading | Cmd+Option+1 | Ctrl+Alt+1 |
| Action | Cmd+Option+2 | Ctrl+Alt+2 |
| Character | Cmd+Option+3 | Ctrl+Alt+3 |
| Parenthetical | Cmd+Option+4 | Ctrl+Alt+4 |
| Dialogue | Cmd+Option+5 | Ctrl+Alt+5 |
| Transition | Cmd+Option+6 | Ctrl+Alt+6 |
| Shot | Cmd+Option+7 | Ctrl+Alt+7 |
Text styles
Select text, then click 'Bold', 'Italic' or 'Underline', or press Cmd+B, Cmd+I or Cmd+U (Ctrl on Windows). There are no other styles; for headings, lists and tables, use a Document.
Scenes pane
The 'Scenes' pane lists every scene heading, with shots under their scene.
- Click a scene to jump to it. The current scene is highlighted
- Scenes are numbered in order. An imported script keeps its own scene numbers
- 'Hide scenes' folds the pane away; 'Show scenes' brings it back
Name a screenplay
Once you write a scene heading and one more line, the screenplay names itself from that heading: INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY becomes 'Coffee Shop - Day'. To choose a name, click '...' > 'Rename'. After it has a name, it stops renaming itself.
That's how you write a screenplay on Morphic. Type naturally, and reach for Tab or a shortcut when a line needs another type.
If you have any trouble or have any questions, feel free to reach out. We're happy to help. Write to us at support@morphic.com.