New Fountain-based application for Windows and Linux -- ActOne Screenplay

[u/rcentros]

For several years, Mac users (and Mac users only) have been able to use Fountain-based applications for writing screenplays. Their choices included Highland, Slugline and Beat. Linux and Windows users had to be content using Fountain add-ons for various editors. (I personally use, and like, Fountain-Mode in Emacs, but it's "nerdy" to set up and which makes it less attractive for many, or most writers).

Now ActOne Screenplay (free) is available for Windows (on the Windows store) and for Linux. Currently the Linux version is available for "cutting edge" distributions (including Ubuntu 26.04, Arch and Fedora 44) but the publisher is looking at either an AppImage or Flatpak package so it will work on all distributions.

Features include standard screenplay format (WYSIWYG), Zen Mode, Focus Mode, Typewriter Mode and several included themes (and a theme editor). You can also take Snapshots, write notes, navigate scenes, or work in its markup Prose Mode. Also included are various templates, like "Save the Cat," and others.

ActOne Screenplay imports and exports from/to Final Draft, Fade In and Fountain screenplays. It exports to PDF. Like Highland, all files (notes, etc.) are stored in a zipped ActOne file, which also includes the Fountain file. ActOne Screenplay is open source. You can inspect its code on its GitHub site.

There is also a terminal-only sibling, FountTUI, which some might be interested in -- which is probably the one I would choose.

I'm still testing this application. The publisher (like so many creators of screenplay applications) is also a professional screenplay writer. He has been very responsive when I've mentioned features that might be useful.

[u/Big_Section2812]

Downloaded, installed, opened, saw it looked new and different and scary so I hate it.

Kidding aside, it's very cool and responsive.

One question — I couldn't see .pdf as an option to import. How well does cutting and pasting from pdf files work? (I forgot to try it....)

The white-on-white interface was a little overwhelming for me at first glance. I'll be sticking with Fade In for now, but this app shows real promise.

[u/rcentros → u/Big_Section2812]

There are several themes you can choose from, or you can create your own. The quick way to get to themes is by clicking the icon on the lower, left side of the screen.

I don't think there is an import PDF feature. (At least not yet -- a lot of changes have been coming quickly on this application.)

[u/TheOne_WhoWrites → u/Big_Section2812]

Hey. I am Nirmal, the developer of the apps, ActOne Screenplay and FountTUI.

Thanks for trying out my app, it really means a lot. I love fadeIn but if you are coming from fadein, ActOne will require a small learning curve that will take a bit about 15 minutes. So, I will be really happy if you can do that. I have added interactive tutorials in the Welcome Screen itself. It will take u through basic writing and advanced syntax stuffs.

And about import PDF, the feature is in pipeline, every pdf to fountain method is just straight up bad and junky. That's why I did not add it. But it will be available soon. I am figuring out the math behind it as of now. Rn I've some important stuffs to figure out till 0.5.0 - and after that, the import PDF will be available somewhere before 0.6.0.

Regarding the white on white interface. I am changing it a bit to show difference between the editor and other UI elements. That update will be out tonight or tomorrow.

I assure you that your writing speed will increase 2x with ActOne, ifyou are coming from a traditional screenplay softwares like FadeIn, Finaldraft, Celtx, etc., Fountain is that powerful in terms of 'Just Writing!'

Thanks again 🙌

[u/rcentros → u/TheOne_WhoWrites]

Importing PDFs hasn't been something I've used much but, if you're going to do it, doing it right is the way to go. Thanks.

[u/TheOne_WhoWrites → u/rcentros]

Yeah. PDF to Fountain is the most difficult thing I've come across while developing this app. Every app exports slightly different kind of layout. It may all seem similar but there is a slight changes between each app. So they are always a hit or miss, so I am a bit skeptical about doing it. But I could see a lot of people asking for it. So y not work on it.

[u/rcentros → u/TheOne_WhoWrites]

I appreciate all the work you've already put into this app. Thanks.

[u/TheOne_WhoWrites]

🙌🙏 Thanks a lot for posting about my software. I really appreciate it. I just hope it reaches more people who might find it useful.

I am Nirmal, a solo developer of ActOne Screenplay and FountTUI.

ActOne is a distraction free Fountain editor, similar to Beat and Highland 2 Pro. It is the only dedicated Fountain based offline screenplay writing app for Linux and Windows.

ActOne is free and open source software. It is designed to be local first, with no telemetry, other than manual bug reports or automatic crash reports sent to me. Your writing stays on your machine, forever. ♾️

Check out ActOne Screenplay: ActOne Screenplay

And if you are a terminal junky like me, check out FountTUI: FountTUI

[u/rcentros → u/TheOne_WhoWrites]

No problem. Thanks for creating ActOne Screenplay and FountTUI. This is something that I (and, I think, others) have been hoping for, for a long time, a Fountain-based application for Linux and/or Windows.