Screenwriting with TextMate

ODN · ollieman.net

If you are interested in beta-testing the next version of this bundle, please let me know at .

Download Bundle · Version: 2.5 View the changelog

This Screenwriting Bundle for TextMate helps you to format a plain-text document so that it can be converted or exported to other applications or other formats (like pdf and xhtml ) in the industry standard screenplay format.

Thus, this bundle is three things:

a plain-text formatting syntax

a tool that makes creating a document that conforms to said syntax a snap

a software tool that converts this formatted plain text to the screenplay format ( html or pdf ).

The most important guiding principals that drive development of this bundle are:

writers require a simple tool to help them get words on paper

the resultant document should be as interoperable as possible

there is nothing more important than these two things

Prince is required for pdf output. —See the installation video for more.

Final Draft imports these documents flawlessly

Can import documents from Final Draft

Export to XHTML and PDF via prince

Intelligent movement between elements

Automatic formatting

Endless customization

While the plain-text document can always be imported into a screenwriting application, PDF and HTML output is also supported.

A PDF created via prince

An XHTML Document

The XHTML source

The automatic insertion of (MORE) and (CON'T) at either scene-breaks or dialogue-breaks it not possible at this time. Also, screenwriting-specific features like revision marks and a&b pages are not possible.

The best way to understand how a document formatted using this bundle will look is to simply take a look at one.

Braveheart Unformatted

A screenplay consists of 6 elements which I’ve formatted thusly:

Sluglines: Any all upper-case line. Or Any line than begins with “int.”, “ext.”, or “i/e.”

Any all upper-case line. Or Any line than begins with “int.”, “ext.”, or “i/e.”

Action paragraphs: Any block of text not matching the other rules.

Any block of text not matching the other rules.

Characters: Anything preceded by 4 tabs

Anything preceded by 4 tabs

Parenthetical: Anything preceded by 3 tabs

Anything preceded by 3 tabs

Dialogue: Anything preceded by 2 tabs

Anything preceded by 2 tabs

Transitions: Anything preceded by 10 tabs

Anything preceded by 10 tabs

I’ve also added

Printing comments Anything between brackets “ [anything] ”

Anything between brackets “ [anything] ”

Non-Printing comments Anything between “ /* ” and “ */ ”

Anything between “ /* ” and “ */ ”

The best way to explain what you can do with this bundle is to watch a few videos and see for yourself. ( Quicktime 7 required)

Writing a screenplay in TextMate

Final Draft Import

TextMate for Screenwriters

Installing Prince for PDF output

Exporting Options

Screenwriting Theme

Prince (fully-functioning demo)

Set the column-wrap to 60 characters, this way your on-screen version will match your printed version more-or-less exactly.

Check out Mega Zoomer for a full-screen experience. (requires SIMBL )

Keeping the Edge of the knife sharp.