P s i o n   S e r i e s   5   T e m p l a t e s   f o r   t h e   S c r e e n w r i t e r

With the Psion Series 5 and it's wonderful keyboard it's finally possible to write screenplays on the move.  Waiting eagerly for somebody to write a full-featured screenplay-formatting program for the Series 5, I meanwhile created these two templates for the Word app, based on the US screenplay-formatting rules.

I have no idea how the formatting will come out with different printer settings than mine (I am printing to a HP Laserjet 5 via infrared).  You can use the templates as they are, going into the file and creating a new document with the "save as" option. 

Nevertheless I suggest to download the useful freeware app "StationaryPad" by John McAleely, which makes the use of templates much easier (thanks John, for your wonderful app).

A: The "Title Page" .  Just change the text to whatever applies to you.

B: "Script Formats".  There are several commands, all starting with "Ctrl + Fn" + (key).

The Shortcuts:

Ctrl+Fn+s	Scene Heading.  Note that you have to use "caps" to give it the right looks.  When you are writing a first draft, there is no need for scene numbers (they only come in when the script is going to be shot).  So press the "Tab"-key once, to go to the right position for the Scene heading without numbers.  When you want to number it, press the number and then "Tab".

Ctrl+Fn+a	This takes you to the scene-description format.  Write what's happening in your scene (Direction).

Ctrl+Fn+c	This is the place for one of your characters names (Character Name).  It has to be written in caps.

Ctrl+Fn+d	And here you can let this very character speak (Dialogue).

Ctrl+Fn+p	Personal direction.  This is a short directing-note between the "Character Name" and the "Dialogue" just to say something more about the state of mind of your character (if necessary).

Ctrl+Fn+t	The "Transition".  Rather seldom used space to indicate if there's going to be a "Fade to:", a "Cut to:" or whatever (has to be in Caps).

I put some text into the file to show you how it should look.  Just delete it.

Enjoy,
David Ruhm

If you got any questions or remarks please email them to

DavidRuhm@compuserve.com

20/05/98