Screenplay assistant
Press Tab to finish a character name, a place, or a heading. It learns as you write, so the next time you type the start of a name, Tab does the rest.
Press Ctrl+T, pause for the list, arrow to it, then Space to switch it on. Needs a file open.
Get it on your BYOK
screenplay.lua
screenplay.dat
- 1Download both files, the first time.
- 2Put them in the Scripts folder on the BYOK's card.
- 3Restart the BYOK, then press Ctrl+T.
Already using this tool? Keep your screenplay.dat. It holds what you have saved.
The data file is plain text. If you are comfortable editing files on a computer, that is often faster than doing it on the BYOK.
How to use it
Tab completes character names, locations, times and headings, and learns them as you write. Switch it on in the toolbox and leave it on.
Completing
Type the start of a name, press Tab.
- One match completes on its own:
ma+ Tab →MARLOWE. - Several matches show a short list. Pick one, or Escape to put your word back.
- No match puts your word back, as if you'd never pressed Tab.
Everything it completes is uppercase, as screenplays are.
Short forms
| Type + Tab | You get |
|---|---|
| I or INT | INT. |
| E or EXT | EXT. |
| IE | INT./EXT. |
| VO | (V.O.) |
| OS | (O.S.) |
| OC | (O.C.) |
| CONT | (CONT'D) |
How it learns
- Scene headings. Type
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHTand press Enter. The line is uppercased, andKITCHENandNIGHTare remembered. - Character cues. Type a name in capitals on its own line (
SARAH) and press Enter. From then onS+ Tab brings her back. - Transitions. A line ending in
TO:(likeCUT TO:) is uppercased for you.
It starts knowing the common times (DAY, NIGHT, LATER…) and transitions (CUT TO:, FADE IN:…).
Two screenplays at once
Characters and locations are kept per screenplay, so two projects don't share a cast. SWITCH + Tab picks which one you're writing, or creates a new one. Times and transitions are shared. NIGHT is NIGHT everywhere.
Fixing a mistake
Learned a typo? FORGET + Tab, pick the kind (characters, locations, times, or a whole screenplay), pick the entry, and it's gone.
- Don't use with
Leave this off if you are using Expander. Both want the same keys.
- Good to know
- The Screenplay assistant and the Expander both use Tab. Only one can be on at a time.
- What it learns is saved on the BYOK's card. You can edit that file on a computer while the tool is off, then restart.
- Up to 64 names of each kind, and up to 8 screenplays.
- What it can touch
A tool can only do what is listed here. Nothing else. This one can:
- Change the document: Insert or replace text in your writing
- Read what it has saved: Read its own notes or shortcuts
- Save for next time: Remember notes, shortcuts, or a count
- Show a list: Ask you to pick from a list
- Show a message: Put a one-line message on screen
- Ask you to type: Ask for one short line of text
Need help with this tool, or with tools on the BYOK? Contact support. We do not write or create tools for you. We are always open to suggestions for official ones.