With the recent resurgence of the medium through podcasting, we've had many requests to include this script format which is based on the old radio drama scripts that organized elements into a series of sound cues.

SCENE HEADINGS are usually numbered like "Scene One" and can include a brief heading. There is no need for a description, since there is no visual element here. Instead, try to paint a picture in the listener's mind using sound to establish the scene.

ACTS are major story breaks in your script. Back in the day, radio plays were often broken up by commercial breaks and an ACT is the section of show between each commercial break. Acts are optional in this format.

CHARACTER names come before dialogue and once established, the script editor will offer you an auto-fill option the next time you type that character.

DIALOGUE lines (as well as sound and music) are often numbered as "cues" in production and can be optionally numbered when creating a PDF. Often a CHARACTER LIST appears under the scene heading in an audio play, indicating the characters in a scene. If you choose to include the character list option when generating a PDF of your script, the lists will be created automatically.

PARENTHETICALS are used to indicate the character's demeanor or note to whom they are speaking. In the AUDIO format, these are embedded in the dialogue, not a separate line. We do provide a parenthetical element, but only for the sake of format swapping.

SOUND/MUSIC cues are very important in this format, so don't be afraid to write them in often. Most audio plays also have a number of MUSIC cues. Some SOUNDS and atmosphere can even be achieved through MUSIC, so be creative.

ACTION isn't often used except for writer or director notes to the actors or sound engineers. Do not include any visual description here!

There are essentially two ways to format any given line. One is automatic and the other is manual. The automatic formatting is achieved when you press TAB or ENTER after writing a line. This will set up the next line as a new element -- an element which would typically follow the previous one. For example, after writing a character's name, you would then write either dialogue or a parenthetical. Thus the TAB and ENTER shortcuts would give you those two options. Or you can manually alter the element of a line by selecting the line and choosing from the DROP-DOWN MENU in the toolbar.