Script Studio

Import script file to new book: TW / Hollywood / Fountain

4 min read

Import an existing script file (Word / PDF / Fountain / txt) into a new Slima script book. The entry is inside the New Script dialog.

Slima Script Studio Plan view as a visual reference; import entry is in the + New Script dialog

Entering the import flow

"My Scripts" page → "+ New Script" → dialog; right side has 3 import-format options:

  • TW Drama (.docx / .pdf / .txt)
  • Hollywood (.docx / .pdf / .txt)
  • Fountain (.fountain)

Pick one → file picker opens.

Differences between the 3 formats

TW Drama

Expects .docx in TW layout (場 N / 內景 / location / time) — Slima parses and classifies elements.

Hollywood

Expects INT./EXT. scene headings + uppercase character names + centred dialogue — standard Hollywood format.

Fountain

Plain text screenplay format (GitHub-style markdown for screenplay). Most compatible, cross-tool friendly.

See: https://fountain.io/

Parse steps

  1. Upload
  2. Format detection: Slima heuristically classifies each line as Scene Heading / Character / Dialogue / Description
  3. Preview: shows the parsed result; you can fix misclassifications
  4. Confirm import: creates the new script book

Where detection may fail

  • Character names not uppercase (especially from .docx) → may be classified as Dialogue
  • Non-standard format (e.g. scene heading mid-line, not at line start) → may miss
  • Mixed languages (CJK + Latin) → heuristic may hesitate

Fix issues in the preview stage.

After import

  • New script book created, opens Plan view
  • Slima attempts to auto-detect characters from scene dialogue and create entries (Character Bible)
  • Scene Board's first-time "Choose a Structure" dialog appears for template selection
  • You need to manually fill Logline / Concept / Synopsis metadata

Limits

  • Single file size has caps (vary by version)
  • PDF parsing depends on document structure — image-based PDFs (not text) may not parse
  • Storylines / Locations metadata won't be auto-created — add manually later

Fountain imports cleanest

Fountain is plain text and structurally clear — lowest error rate. If your source is Final Draft / Trelby / another tool, most can export to Fountain.

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